Page 168 of Chasing Sparks

Ori doesn’t bother to look up from the clipboard. “I’m fine.”

Another fine. I’m beginning to hate that word. She’s not fine. Neither of us are. We’re both so far from it, we can’t even see the damn road back.

Plus, we’re both exhausted. Between juggling my businesses and worrying about Ori, I’m running on fumes.

Now that worry has multiplied a million-fold.

When I return to the waiting room, coffee in hand, Ori is nowhere to be seen. My chest tightens as I scan the room. “She better not have left.”

“They took her back, sir,” the receptionist says, her voice clipped.

“Great. Can you buzz me through?”

She hesitates, her gaze darting away. “Ms. Thorne figured you’d rather leave or stay out here.”

She did, did she?

“Ms. Thorne figured wrong. I want to be back there. With her. Please buzz me through.”

“I’ll have to check with her.”

I grit my teeth, forcing a smile. “Look, let me back there, and if she tells me to leave, I’ll go.”

“Really?”

No. Not really. But I nod anyway, because there’s zero point in arguing with this woman.

Mainly because I’ll be arguing with Ori in about thirty seconds.

She’s trying to push me away, but I’m not leaving without a fight.

Ori sits gowned on the exam table when I step inside the room. She looks at me and crosses her arms, a mixture of annoyance and overwhelm dancing across her face. “What are you doing back here?”

“You’reback here. I will not sit out there while you’re in here.” I pace the small space, my boots echoing against the floor.

“Just go, Ash. Everyone is waiting for you at the farm.”

“No chance in hell. I’ll leave when you leave. Where is that damn doctor, anyway?”

“That damn doctor is here,” a voice says as the door opens. “Although I prefer Dr. Fulton. Ash, didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Trust me, neither did he,” Ori mutters, earning a sharp scowl from me.

“She hasn’t been feeling well. Dizzy spells. Tired.” My gaze narrows on Ori. “Or so I hear, since she didn’t bother telling me until today.”

Dr. Fulton chuckles nervously, shifting his focus to the chart in his hands. “Do you two need a minute?”

“We’re good,” I reply. “Let’s get her checked out.”

Am I overriding Ori? Absolutely. With every passing second, my concern for our baby grows. Dizzy spells every day—there’s no way that’s normal, right?

The doctor clears his throat. “Okay, well, I need Ori’s consent before we continue. Do you want Ash to stay, or?—”

“I’m not going anywhere. Don’t even think it,” I cut in, my tone firm.

“She has to be okay with it,” Dr. Fulton says, his gaze flicking to me.

“It’s fine,” she mumbles, her voice barely audible. She doesn’t meet my eyes, convincing no one in the room.

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