Page 45 of Second Draft

She squirts goo on my stomach and I flinch at the coldness. The minute she presses the microphone-looking device against my skin, the room fills with a soft thumping.

“There it is.” Dr. Evans smiles at both of us. “Nice and strong.”

Oh, wow.

My baby’s heartbeat.

Tears prick at the back of my eyes, but I don’t even try to brush them away when they start to slip down my cheek.

Carter reaches for my hand, and his big strong fingers wrap around mine. When I look up at him, I see emotion reflected in his gaze. He gives me a small smile.

The doctor is saying something, but I barely hear her words. All I can focus on is the sound of my baby’s heartbeat, and the way Carter is watching me now.

“…and try to rest whenever you can.”

I do catch her last words, mostly because of Carter’s reaction.

His head snaps up. “I’ll make sure of it.”

I can’t help but roll my eyes, wanting to slap the doctor for giving him even a small excuse to lock me up in the house.

“We’ll see you both in a few more weeks for your scheduled ultrasound.”

Carter helps me sit when were alone again.

“I told you everything is fine,” I mumble.

“She said you need to rest more.”

Of course, that’s what he picked up on.

He hands me my clothes, and stands there watching me.

“Can you turn around?”

He grunts, and turns slightly.

I pull my jeans on, and have to suck in a breath to do the button up. Another reminder that I’m going to need to buy maternity clothes soon. Another expense that I can barely afford. This is why Ineedto work.

“Can you drop me off at the diner on the way home?”

“I already called and told them you wouldn’t be in today.”

“You did what?”

He turns to look at me, but I’m still naked from the top up.

“Turn around.” I grab my shirt to cover myself, heat warming my cheeks.

His eyes darken, and it takes him a second longer than it should to redirect his gaze.

When his back is to me again, I ball my fingers into fists, take a couple deep breaths, and try not to completely lose it on him. But he makes it so damn easy.

“You shouldn’t have done that without asking me. I told you I need the money.”

“No, you don’t. I’ll help you with whatever you need.”

“I’m not going to be a charity case.” I shove my head and arms through my shirt and adjust it.

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