Page 17 of This Memory
She smiled, and a faint blush hit her cheeks. “That’s it for up here.”
We started down the steps and ended up back in the living room.
“Would you like something to drink, or…did you simply want to scope out my house for some reason?”
I grinned. “I’ve always wondered what your place looked like. But Iwilltake something to drink, thanks.”
“I’ve got lemonade, pop, and water. It’s a little early in the day, but I also have beer.”
“Water, please.”
I followed her into the kitchen, leaned against the archway, and watched as she moved about. She opened the refrigerator, took out a bottle of water, and handed it to me.
“Listen, if this is about last week, I’m sorry for how I acted. What happened is in the past, and I should have let it go years ago.”
I raised my brows. “Are you calling a truce on this war we’ve been having all these years, then?”
She shrugged and gave me a weak smile. “I guess I am. I’m tired of fighting with you, and if this thing works, I’ll be pregnant, and I don’t want anything to go wrong.”
“Do you honestly think I’d do something to risk you or the baby’s health?”
With a shake of her head, she replied, “No, but it can be pretty stressful trying to come up with witty insults directed toward you. It’s hard work, believe it or not.”
I stared at her.
She shrugged. “What?”
Taking a drink of the water, I put the cap back on. “I didn’t come here because of that. I came because Denny told me you were getting the blood test done, and they were both in a court case today in Boston so they couldn’t be there. I know they were upset. But I thought maybe you’d like someone to go with you just in case it’s not…well…good news.”
She studied me for a moment before clearing her throat. “That’s nice of you, Gavin. Thank you. A week ago, I would have told you to go screw yourself, but today…I find myself not wanting to get this information alone.” Her eyes met mine. “You’ll have to do.”
I let out a gruff laugh and shook my head. “Well, if it did take, it hasn’t compromised your ability to be a bitch.”
Smiling, she replied, “Isn’t this truce starting off with a bang.”
I winked, and she quickly looked away.
“What time do you need to be there?” I asked.
Checking her watch, she said, “We should probably leave now. Would you like to follow me over? The clinic is in Saranac Lake.”
“If you’re okay driving with me, we could go together. Then maybe grab an early dinner?”
She eyed me as if I had a nefarious plan in the making. “You want to go to dinner with me?”
“Yeah. We’re calling a truce, remember?”
For a moment, I thought she would say no, but she reached for her purse and a light coat. “If it’s bad news, I may want a drink and say to hell with dinner.”
“I can do that too.”
Brystol glanced at me and smiled slightly. “Thank you, Gavin. I really am glad I’m not going alone.”
“You didn’t want to ask one of the girls to go with you?”
She shook her head. “Harper’s all happy and in love, and Cadie and Kian are dealing with that whole mess with her ex. And Aurora is busy with the bookstore and helping Hope. I didn’t want them all to have something else added to their plates.”
“That’s fair,” I replied, walking to the front door. I opened it and waved her to come. “Come on, then. Let’s see if you’re knocked up.”
