Page 69 of Hearts Like Hers

It took several rings for Autumn to pick up.When she did, her voice sounded tentative, maybe even a little embarrassed,which was understandable.

“Hey,” Autumn said softly.

“Hi,” Kate answered, smiling. “I got yourmessage last night.”

A long silence hit, and if she knew Autumn,this was the moment she was beating herself the hell up while turning animpressive shade of crimson.

“Yeah, I was afraid of that. Kate, I’m sosorry. I’m not even entirely sure what I said, but I do remember thehighlights. Kill me now.”

Kate chuckled. “You don’t have anything toapologize for. But I wanted to make sure that you’re okay today.”

“If, by okay, you mean have a poundingheadache, lifeless limbs, and a churning stomach, then I’m doing fantastic.”

“Uh-oh. I was worried you’d say that.”

Another pause. Autumn’s voice was gentlerwhen she spoke again. “You’re sweet to call.”

“No, I’m not. I’m selfish as hell. I wantedto hear your voice.” Her words came fast and with unexpected honesty. Shecouldn’t see Autumn, but she tried to picture her, probably standing in thestorage room at the back of the coffee shop, one hand in her hair, the otherholding the phone. Had that last comment upset her or made her smile? It was hardto know. She wanted to.

“Kind of the same reason I called you lastnight. Again, so sorry about that crazy message. I’m so embarrassed.”

“Don’t be. I was happy to get it.”

Autumn sighed. “We said we wouldn’t do this.”

Reality arrived like an unwelcome houseguest.“Just a minor misstep. I figured if you got one, so did I.”

“I suppose that’s fair.” Now Autumnwassmiling. Kate couldhear it creep into her voice. “You take care of yourself, Kate. And make sureyou get a little sun up north.”

“California taught me well.” She lingered amoment longer just because she wanted to. “’Bye, Autumn.”

“’Bye.”

She clicked off and held the phone againsther chest, as if not ready to let go of the connection to Autumn just yet. Sheruminated on the call, reliving each moment of their exchange, before shovingit to the side for the sake of self-preservation. How had she let it go thisfar? She knew how. Their commingled best intentions had flown right out thewindow when they were within ten feet of each other. But no, that wasn’t trueeither, because here she was, hundreds of miles away, and still she cravedAutumn with her mind, body, and soul.

She had to find a way to stop. It was time.

Chapter Twelve

Tuesday morning came with thunderstorms andblinding rain. It wasn’t exactly what Autumn had imagined for insemination day,but it was what the universe had dealt her. Her appointment was for nine thatmorning, and the prospect of being late due to rain had her extra anxious.She’d followed all the instructions she’d been provided by her fertility coach,injecting herself with the trigger shot for ovulation a day and a half prior.And now here she was, squinting through the rain on her way to the clinic whereher IUI procedure would be performed. If all went according to plan, she’d beconfirmed pregnant in a little over two weeks.

Pregnant. She closed her eyes briefly andheld on to the one thought that managed to bring her joy. It had been Kate whohad accompanied her on the last few ultrasound appointments, and with her unavailable,Autumn had made the decision to go to the clinic alone—a decision shesecond-guessed now, as the nerves crept in and the monumental details of theday came into focus.

Moving herself out of that “poor lonely me”mind-set, she sat taller in the driver’s seat as she pulled her car into theparking lot in front of the clinic, three minutes early. See? Rain or not,everything was goingjustfine. No reason to freak the hell out. She made her way into thewaiting room to sign in and noticed it once again filled with happypairings…and Gia. Play that back. But she hadn’t been wrong. Seeing Autumnenter the clinic, Gia stood and moved toward her self-consciously.

“What are you doing here?” Autumn askedquietly, but inside she was overcome with joy, relief, and gratitude to seethat her friend had shown up for her on such an important day in her life.

“Can’t really surf in a storm,” Gia said witha shrug, and then leaned in. “That’s a lie. I’d have been here anyway. Too biga thing to let you go through alone, even if you said it’s what you wanted.”She looked sheepish, and maybe a little nervous to have crashed the party. “Ihope it’s okay. You can tell me to get lost and I will.”

Autumn reached for Gia’s hand and gave it atight squeeze. “It’s more than okay, and please don’t go anywhere. Thank you.”

Gia met her eyes briefly and then lookedaway. “Cool. I’ll just follow you around.”

If her doctor was surprised to see her withyet another plus-one, he didn’t let on. “Ready to get pregnant?” he asked, witha twinkle in his eye.

“More than ready,” Autumn said, and heldfirmly to Gia’s hand.

The procedure took roughly six minutes fromstart to finish, which Autumn found surprising given its importance. “That’sit?” she asked when the nurse offered her a hand in sitting back up.

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