Page 135 of Forgot to Tell You Something

Owen isn’t hearing any arguments. “Like hell, I don’t. It’s my first child’s first sonogram. I’m going to be there.”

I study his face. I swear I don’t remember ever seeing him this...giddy. “Huh.”

“What, Darlin?”

“You seem happy.”

His smile fades to a wince of dismay as he runs a hand over his beard. “I am. I’ve always wanted to be a dad. Are you not looking forward to our baby?”

In that instant, it hits me. “I am.” His face brightens at my words, so I spill my guts. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m scared, but I’m excited, too. I hate the morning sickness, but I won the mother lode with the father. You’re gorgeous and brilliant and talented and...I’m lucky. Our baby is lucky.”

“You forgot one.”

“I didn’t give you enough props just now?” I ask, cocking a brow at him.

His palm cups my cheek as his lips brush against mine. Total sneak attack on his part. Not that I’m complaining. “You give me more credit than I deserve.”

“So, what trait did I fail to mention? Killer body? Sex god? Sense of humor?”

“Totally in love with you.”

I’m so glad I’m sitting down. Otherwise, I would have collapsed to the floor. Owen has told me countless times over the last few months, but this is the first time I actually feel his words. “Wow.”

“Tally, it’s always been you.”

“I was afraid you might be mad about the baby.”

Owen chuckles, shaking his head at me. “No, Darlin, I’m the complete opposite of mad. Now, I have to convince you to marry me.”

That’s enough for today. The sheen I felt only moments before shatters to the ground. “Relax, Doc. You do not have to marry me because of the baby. I would never expect that of you.”

He studies my face, that smile still flitting across his lips. “What about the fact that I want to marry you? I’ve never said those words to another woman.”

Talk about a crash landing back to reality. I shake my head, angry that I almost fell for Owen’s lines. Yet again. “You just ended an engagement. I need total honesty now. No more fluff. No more telling me what I want to hear.”

“I’m being honest.”

“So how is it you were engaged, but you never asked a woman to marry you? Hmm? Can you answer that one for me?”

Owen is unruffled by my questions. Either he’s the best liar in the world, or he’s telling the truth. “Charlotte asked me. Asked is too kind a term. Demanded. Cornered. Those are more appropriate.”

“You didn’t ask her?” Holy crap, is that a tiny ray of hope at the end of the tunnel?

“No. I bought her a ring after she demanded one. I was totally uninvolved in the planning. I was miserable, Tally. And it got worse every day. So, I got slamming drunk with a buddy of mine who was visiting, and he mentioned Fort Lauderdale. He had worked at Memorial for a few years and loved the staff. Said the beach wasn’t bad either.”

“Who is your friend?”

“Dr. Weinman. He’s a—”

“Pediatric surgeon. Dr. We. Good guy.”

Owen nods in agreement. “Anyway, I woke up with a ripping hangover and a decision. I put in a call to Memorial and spoke to Dr. Watts. Then I sat Charlotte down and told her my plan. I also informed her she wasn’t part of it anymore.”

I cringe at his words. He’s so blasé about tossing his fiancée aside. “Ouch.”

Owen strokes my forearm, offering me a reassuring smile. “Don’t feel too bad for Charlotte. She was knocking boots with some guy named Marco. I walked in on them together. He was the first one I caught, but not the first one she slept with.”

Maybe I’m a bitch, but knowing how poorly Charlotte treated Owen brings me great joy. Some of her glitter has rubbed off, too. “Double ouch.”

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