Page 67 of Waiting on You

Although that was before he stopped calling, so, at this point, who knows? And since I don’t want to add to the pressure that he’s under, I haven’t brought it up.

And if I’m honest, I’m nervous to ask and hear him tell me that he can’t make it, which will break my heart.

“Okay,” she says. “Well, if anything changes, I madesure not to have any appointments scheduled so I’ll be free to go with you.”

She smiles softly at me, and I’m reminded why Anastasia Parker is my best friend.

“Thank you,” I say, pushing back my chair, so I can give her a hug.

But when I take a step around the desk, somehow, my heel must get caught on the carpet because I lose my balance and stumble forward. It happens in slow motion yet not slow enough for me to prevent it from happening.

I try to break my fall by grabbing ahold of the desk, but in doing so, my stomach collides with the corner, and when a huge pain radiates throughout my body, I fall back, landing on the ground in what feels like the worst game of human pinball.

Ana’s immediately at my side, calling for an ambulance and then asking if I’m okay. But I can’t speak. Words are on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t release them.

Julian runs in moments later and tells me not to move.

While we wait for the ambulance to arrive, I clutch my stomach, sharp pains immobilizing me. A myriad of thoughts and emotions flicks through my head and heart—pain, worry, confusion…but the strongest is fear. Fear of losing my baby. It’s my job to protect them, and I’ve failed.

“Do you want me to call Nate?” Ana asks.

“No.” I shake my head, feeling like the worst mom-to-be in the world.

I should’ve been more careful. Nate warned me wearing heels was dangerous, and what did I tell him? That I was a pro. Now, look where I am. Lying on the floor of my office, waiting for an ambulance and praying that my baby is okay.

When Ana gives me a look, I add, “I don’t want to worry him. I’ll call him once I know…” I choke out the last word, unable to finish my sentence. Not wanting to put my fear out into the world.

Thankfully, the paramedics arrive quickly, and after Ana relays what happened and I tell them my symptoms, they help me onto a stretcher and then take me to the ambulance, where I’m brought to the closest hospital with Ana and Julian following.

Once we arrive, they wheel me into a room and then carefully transfer me onto a bed. Ana texts that they’re waiting in the waiting room and to let her know if I need anything. I’m surprised she didn’t offer to come to my room, but I’m too worried to give it much thought.

A sweet young nurse greets me, and after I go through what happened, she says, “Well, Ms. Abrams, how about we take a look at your little one, so we can see what we’re working with?”

As I nod, my first thought is that I wish Nate were here by my side. And it’s with that admission that I know, despite how much I want to do the right thing and push Nate away, I’m going to be selfish and pullhim in closer. Because I love him and I want him by my side, no matter what the future holds.

I’m about to text him to let him know what’s going on when there’s a knock on my door. Assuming it’s Ana, I tell her to come in. Only when the door opens, it’s not Ana.

It’s Nate.

chapter twenty-five

NATE

“They’ve confirmedthe bones are not from an Indian tribe,” Nolan says over my Bluetooth.

“Thanks.” I sigh in relief. “Let’s?—”

The screen on the dash lights up with an incoming call—Julian Parker. He never calls me. The only reason I have his number saved is because of our companies working together, but our teams are handling the details, so this can’t be about the partnership, which means there’s only one reason he’s calling me.

“I’ll call you back.”

Without waiting for Nolan’s response, I switch the call over.

“Hey, Julian. Is?—”

“Please tell me you’re on your way here.” Ana.

The desperation in her tone causes goose bumps to prickle my skin.

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