Page 40 of Guarded from Treachery

It all sounds good in theory. Erik waiting with the car, Rhiannon standing guard in reception, and Matt positioned outside my room, ready to jump in if I need him. And like Rhi said, I’ll be done before I know it. In less than an hour, I’ll be having ice cream and listening to Rhiannon and Erik banter about macaroni and cheese.

But ten minutes later, as the nurse leads Matt and I to the exam room, panic blossoms inside me again.

I don’t want to be alone in there.

Not because I think I’m in danger. I just don’t want to be alone.

But I don’t want just anyone in there with me. I want Matt.

At the exam room door, the nurse gestures for me to go in ahead of her. When Matt hesitates outside, she looks at Matt, her eyes flickering with appreciation. “And the father? Are you going in, too?”

He frowns. “I don’t?—”

Before I can stop myself, I blurt, “Please. Come in with me.”

I know I shouldn’t have asked. It’s not Matt’s job to keep me company during such a personal thing. “Never mind,” I add quickly. “Forget I said anything.”

“Of course I’m coming in.” He straightens, his broad shoulders lifting. Then he follows me into the room, standing protectively to my side as I take a seat on the exam table. “There’s no place I’d rather be.”

Once the nurse leaves after taking my temperature and blood pressure, I say to Matt, “I’m sorry. I know this isn’t the plan. I just…” My voice dips. “I don’t want to be alone.”

“Ah, Isles.” Matt moves closer to the table and touches my hand. “I’m sorry. I should have thought… Do you want me to text Rhi? Have her?—”

“No.” It’s quick. Adamant. “Can you stay? Is it too weird?” Then I crack open my chest, leaving my heart exposed. “I don’t want Rhi or Erik. I want you here. If you don’t mind.”

An unreadable emotion moves across his features. His fingers wrap around mine. “I don’t mind at all. In fact, I’m really glad you asked.”

Just like that, the storm clouds part and a sliver of sun peeks through. Just like he always does, Matt makes everything better.

I wish Matt were the father.

Wait, what?

That’s ridiculous. We’ve barely known each other two weeks, not counting the first day in the parking lot. We’re not even dating, let alone in a relationship that would involve having a child together.

But still.

He would be a good dad. I can tell. And I love being around him. Notinlove, that would be crazy, but if things were different, I could see it happening.

It’s not, though. And letting myself think about impossibilities is only going to make it worse when Matt leaves. When he heads back to San Antonio and I’m still here, pregnant and alone again.

“So.” Matt glances around the room, his ears turning the slightest bit pink as he looks at a large poster illustrating the female reproductive system. “The doctor is supposed to do an ultrasound, right? That’s what I read. And you’ll find out how far along you are?”

“Yes.” Butterflies erupt in my stomach. “She’ll be able to tell the age, and if everything is looking normal, if the baby is developing properly…”

“What about the sex? Will you know that yet?” He pauses. An undercurrent of apology deepens his voice. “Sorry. I shouldn’t assume you want to know. With everything…”

“I want the baby to be okay,” I reply, holding his gaze. “And at some point, I do want to know what sex he or she is. Whoever did this, it’s not the baby’s fault. And…” Tears burn in my eyes. “I know it’s early. But I still care.”

His thumb brushes across my cheek, coming away wet. “However you feel is okay, Isla. And just know, I support you with whatever you choose.”

More tears threaten to break free, and I sniffle to keep them in. Matt gets that adorably flustered look that happens whenever I get upset, and he says in an overly bright tone, “So.Minecraft. I was thinking, now that the castle is done, maybe we could create an underground lair? Or a huge treehouse?”

“Oh, a treehouse.” My lips lift. “I always wanted one when I was a kid. And on Discovery, there’s a show where this guy makes elaborate tree houses to live in. I think that would be so cool. Like this hideaway up in the trees.”

“Okay.” Matt smiles. “So tonight, we can work on a treehouse. And we can?—”

But a shrill alarm interrupts him.

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