Page 9 of Claimed By the Cowboys

Not to mention the fact that having a baby on my own was never part of the plan. I want afamily.Which I guess does start with a baby, but ideally, I wanted it to include a partner, too.

“I know you don’t, Piper. But there’s no reason you need to just… shut them down.”

“I’m not shutting anyone down,” I retort. “They’re not interested in me like that.”

“They? Or one of them?” Blaire challenges.

“Both,” I respond. Although, I can’t imagine being with justoneof the guys. They’re kind of a package deal, in all things.

Blaire pauses. “It’s really okay if you were interested in more. With just one of them. Or all of them,” she adds thoughtfully.

I know that she’s thinking of her own love life, and I nod. “I know, Blaire.”

“Okay, well. Tell them hi for me and enjoy Tate’s amazing food.”

“I will. Love you, B.”

“Love you, Piper.”

Hanging up the phone, I stare at it for a second. Blaire is in love with three men, and the parallels in our situation just feel… big. Except I’m not in love with Brent, Tate, and Dalton.

They’re just my friends. Good friends. Neighbors. That’s how it’s been for a long time. And I have no interest in changing it.

Brent’s lanky frame from earlier ripples into my mind, and I squeeze my eyes shut, willing the image to go away.

I’ve sworn off men. I’ve sworn off men. I’ve sworn off…

My phone beeps again, and I frown. It’s my doctor’s office.

Suddenly, my stomach plummets.

I don’t answer. I don’t think I can. I signed the stupid release form when I was there to have a nurse give me the results of my tests over the phone, but I can’t remember if that means she’ll leave a voicemail or…

The voicemail icon lights up.

Oh, no.

I stare at it. I could click on it. I could find out. Or I could leave it there.

My fingers shake and punch the button.

“—is your nurse, Hadley. Just wanted to say we’ve got your results in. Good news, you’re looking good right now. However, the doctor wants you to come back and talk about some of the long-term concerns. It looks like the recommended tests are for egg quality. Again, this is all good today, but we want to make sure?—”

I click it off.

My heart is pounding. My chest feels like it’s going to crack wide open.

I did the fertility testing on a whim. I’m twenty-six. It’s hardly old. There are many women who have children well into their 40s. However, given my recent vow of celibacy and lack of dating, I just wanted to check. Just in case.

But… egg quality? I’m terrified of what that means.

A knock on my window makes me jump. I hide the phone and look out.

“Hey there, darlin’,” Dalton’s deep voice echoes from outside my truck. “You gonna come in or what?”

I look into his big brown eyes, and my heart eases a little.

The nurse said nothing is wrongtoday.Maybe nothing is really wrong after all. Maybe I’m just upset for no reason.

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