Page 138 of Forgot to Tell You Something

“I’m sure you know that Owen is aware of my hitchhiker. I’m also certain that you were behind his sudden need for me to fill in for a surgical tech in the cath lab.”

“I didn’t have to tell him. He knew.” Stefani shrugs, offering a droll grin. “He had to force your hand when he heard that you were considering relocation. He looked distraught over the idea of you leaving Florida. See? It all worked out.”

“But it didn’t. Here’s what you didn’t see. He said all the right things and swore he would be there—knee deep in diapers and formula. He even promised me a wonderful, romantic evening.”

Stefani rubs her hands with devilish glee. “Ooh, give me the details.”

“Not much to tell. He never showed.”

“What the hell?”

“I’ll give you one guess, and her name begins with C, but I have my own C-word nickname for her. She called some last-minute meeting crap that hehadto attend, and once again, I took a backseat.”

My friend wraps her arm around my shoulder, giving it a reassuring hug. “He’s been so busy lately, but I truly don’t think there’s anything between him and Charlotte. At least not from his end.”

I shrug, remembering to blow on the tea before scorching my intestinal tract again. “They might not be riding the hobby horse, but there’s definitely something there. For a man who has no time on his hands, he finds extra hours for Charlotte.” I rub my hand over my eyes.

I will not cry. I will not cry. Tear ducts, I’ll make you a deal. Let me reach the privacy of my office and then you can go nuts. Fair enough?

“I’m sorry, Lu.”

“If discovering that you’re going to be a Dad isn’t enough to free up time in your schedule, I don’t know what is.” I clear my throat and push myself away from the counter. “I’ll be in my office if you need me.”

“I’ll go with you to the sonogram today.”

I reach over, squeezing her hand. “A little bird told me that someone is having dinner with Dan tonight.”

“I can cancel.”

“Don’t you dare. I want all the dirty details tomorrow morning.” I rest my hand on my stomach, feeling lonelier than I have in years. “I’ll be fine on my own.”

I make it to my office, leaning against the door and blinking away the tears. The truth? I’m far from fine, but I have limited choices. I know that Owen will kick in funds, should the need arise, but I would sooner walk over hot coals than ask him for a cent. Besides, since my Dad passed, I have enough money to eke out a life for me and the baby. It might not consist of private jets and Caribbean villas, but it will be a life of love.

I’m not in my chair five minutes when the door opens. I swear, I really need to keep the damn thing locked.

Owen pokes his head in, a rueful smile on his face. “Morning, beautiful.”

“Good morning, Dr. Stevens,” I manage with a forced brightness.

I expect him to linger in the doorway or settle into the chair opposite my desk. Wrong on both counts. I take brief notice of the flowers and coffee in his hands before he sets them down, closing the distance between us and pressing his mouth against mine.

What fresh hell is this nonsense?

I pull back, resting my hands against his chest to put some space between us. Hell, there are miles of emotional space already. “What are you doing?”

“Giving the woman I love a kiss good morning.”

I shift my eyes to the floor, releasing a heavy sigh. “Can you give me some space, please?”

I’m not sure if it’s the dead look in my gaze or the flat tone of my words, but he obliges my request without argument, settling into the corner chair. Granted, since my office is the size of a shoebox, he’s still within petting distance. “I’m sorry. I just miss you, Tally.”

Wrong thing to say, buddy. “You miss me? Hmm.”

“What’s that mean?”

I could play dumb, but I’ve been turning a blind eye long enough. “It means that I highly doubt the words coming out of your mouth.” Even if it is the most kissable mouth on the damn planet.

Owen hands me the flowers, nodding at the coffee. “I feel terrible about last night.”

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