Page 141 of Forgot to Tell You Something

“Just a hunch. Anyway,” I remove his hand, giving it an awkward squeeze, “You go do you.”

“Tally, Iwillbe there.”

Trouble is, he’s said that several times in recent weeks and the only certainty is that he’ll disappoint me.

“You’d better go. You’ve got a case waiting for you in the cath lab.”

* * *

“Are you lost?” A cheery voice carries across the waiting room, and I look up to see Harriet, a former nurse turned midwife. She crosses the room in three long-legged strides, pulling me into a hard hug.

“Hi, Harriet,” I coo, returning her embrace. I miss this woman. She was my ride or die before Stefani, but between school and marriage and babies—you get the picture. “You look good.”

“You look pregnant. Holy shit, Tallulah! Come on back.”

I peer over my shoulder to the waiting area. A few women wait for their turn with the doctor, but Owen is nowhere to be found.

Knew it.

I wish that when you prepared yourself for disappointment, that it lessened the feeling. That’s how itshouldwork, right?

So very, very wrong.

It’s a sinking feeling, knowing that the only part of Owen I’ll ever have is the child growing in my womb. But that will have to be enough.

Within five minutes, I’m gowned and waiting for Harriet to return, my eyes darting around the sterile exam room. I know the staff means the decor to be soothing, but it leaves me cold.

“There’s someone out here looking for you,” Harriet states, leaning in the door. She offers a wink and mouths ‘good job’ before pushing the door wide.

Owen.

He’s here.

He’s also a sweaty mess. Still hot, though. Maybe even more so. Damn my pregnancy hormones.

“Did you jog here?” I inquire, turning my face so his kiss lands on my cheek instead of its intended aim.

“I didn’t know where it was. Thankfully, Jessop told me. I’ve been scouring the hospital grounds for the last twenty minutes. I was so afraid I’d miss it.”

“You didn’t miss anything.” Harriet gives him a friendly clap on the shoulder. “So,youare the new talk of the town. Pleasure to meet you. Technically, I met you at that dinner, but there were so many important people flitting about that night.”

“Talk of the town?” Owen inquires, accepting Harriet’s offer of a water bottle and guzzling half of it down.

“Yes, brilliant renowned cardiologist come to roost in our little enclave. You’re very fancy.”

“She’s a smart ass,” I murmur, looking anywhere but at Owen.

“Don’t you forget it,” Harriet counters with a wink. “So…you two, huh? Isn’t that fantastic? I like this girl here far better than your purported fiancée, even if she is a billionaire’s daughter.” She squeezes my shoulder in a sign of solidarity, but the damage is done.

See, Owen? Everyone thinks you and Charlotte are together, which makes me look like the mistress. Fabulous.

Owen’s face pales under his tan. “Who told you I was engaged?”

Harriet chuckles. In true fashion, she doesn’t hold back. “The billionaire’s daughter. She made it quite clear to all of us in the immediate area that you were off limits.”

A muscle ticks in Owen’s jaw. “I’ll deal with her. Thanks for the heads up.”

“I assume that you’re the—”

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