Page 12 of This Memory
“We do another round of IVF.”
She let out a low whistle. “How are the meds you have to take?”
“They’re not too bad. We did a test run of everything before they did the implantation. All is good on that front.”
“That’s good news.”
We sat in silence a moment before I asked, “Would you have done it?”
Pressing her mouth into a tight line, she shrugged. “Honestly, I don’t know if I would have or not. I mean, it’s a lot on your body. Your first pregnancy is someone else’s baby. The hormones, the sickness, the changes in your body. I’m not sure I could do that. But, then again, if you or Harper asked…I wouldprobablysay yes?” She shook her head. “Maybe…gosh…I just don’t know.”
I took another sip of the coffee—then gaped at it. “I know they said I can have limited coffee, but should I be drinking it at all? Am I already making bad choices?”
Aurora laughed. “I’m sure it’s okay. Now, if you were pouring whiskey into it, I’d say itwasn’tokay.”
Smiling, I felt a bit of the anxiety leave my body. It was nice to tell someone and talk about it like this. “I’m scared, Aurora. There’s so much I don’t know. What if I do something wrong and I lose the baby?”
She reached for my hand. “You’re not going to do anything wrong. Stressing about something you can’t control isn’t good for you or the baby…if there is one.”
“You’re right.”
“But it’s okay to be scared. You’re carrying someone’s child. That is a lot of pressure.”
I placed my free hand over my flat stomach. “I better be this kid’s favorite aunt. I’m telling you that right now.”
We laughed, both of us glancing over when the bell above the door rang. I let out a quiet groan as Gavin andDeclan walked in. They were both in their uniforms, which made seeing him even worse. Gavin in his uniform was just plain unfair. He was so damn hot it made my entire body temperature rise.
Gavin saw us and made his way over. “Morning, ladies,” he said, with his usual flirtatious smile.
“Is it just impossible for younotto flirt?”
His smile slipped briefly but came back in full force. “All I did was say good morning.”
“It’s the smile,” I said. “You just can’t help yourself, and you never could. How many women did you give false hope to with that smile and that stupid wink of yours?”
“Brystol?” Aurora gently prodded, as Declan took a step back.
But I wasn’t having it. I stood up fast, nearly knocking the chair over. “You’re such a…a…”
Gavin’s brows rose as he waited for me to finish.
“You’re ajerk. An asshole. A big flirt who never meansanythinghe says!”
I grabbed my drink then pushed past him and headed to the door, ignoring both AuroraandGavin when they called my name.
Gavin
“Wow,” Declan whispered, as Aurora stood.
“I’m sorry about that. She’s just not herself right now.”
I held up my hand to Aurora. “Hold on, let me go talk to her.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Gavin.”
“Two minutes, please.”
She looked unsure but finally nodded. I hightailed it out of the coffee shop and glanced down the street each way. Brystol was heading to the toy shop. I ran, gently taking her arm when I reached her, and bringing her to a stop.
