Page 42 of Happenstance
Was it wrong that I wanted to stuff her fashion magazine in her mouth?
“Um, yes,” I stammered, while cursing myself for not being braver. “Lana Crawford.”
“The girl Mr. Whitley made an appointment for?” Her brow rose. “Does he owe you a favor?”
How was I supposed to respond to that?Considering he put this baby in my belly, I’d say he owes me a lot more than a favor.Somehow, I didn’t think pissing off the receptionist at my first appointment was the best way to go. Lucky for me, I didn’t have to think about it too long. The elevator door dinged and Parker stepped out.
“Hello Karen.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulders, something I was kind of getting used to. At least I wasn’t on his lap again. “Did you get my girl checked in?”
I didn’t have any issues with Karen after that. She got me checked in, and before I knew it, I was being led back to an exam room. Parker in tow, of course. Though I’d like nothing more than to slap him, I was kind of amazed at how quickly he got things done. Sometimes Nan and I would sit in the waiting room for an hour before we got to see the doctor. Which usually turned out to be a simple five minute appointment.
Speaking of which…
I looked back and searched the waiting room for her warm brown eyes. “Nan isn’t here.”
“I know,” Parker said, urging me forward. “I asked her not to come.”
“What!? Why would you do that?”
What right did he have to tell my Nan to stay home? I needed her more than him.
“Because it’s our baby, and I’d like the first time we see it, for it to just be you and me.”
I could already feel my chin quivering. “But I need her.”
“I know Baby, and I swear she can come to every other appointment.” He leaned over and laid a gentle kiss on the top of my head. “Just not this one.”
Tears were burning in my eyes, blurring my vision as I walked down the hall. I didn’t know if they were there out of anger, or something else. While Parker had absolutely no right to do what he did, a part of me found what he said kind of sweet.
Stupid hormones.
That was the last thing I should be thinking. Parker was forcing me to move in with him. Tomorrow night, I had to sleep in his bed, and did he care if I wanted to or not? No. He didn’t give two shits. But he cared enough to want a special private moment with me? How much sense did that make?
It was awfully hard to hate someone when they were being nice to you. Even if they were doing it in a jerkish way. Like right now. Not letting my Nan come, total jerk move. Yet his palm warming the small of my back as he gently steered me was a tender gesture. If he slipped his hand a little lower, he could grab my butt. Firm fingers digging into my backside. Or better yet, slapping me. How good would it feel to be spanked right now?
Damnit. What the hell is wrong with me? I need to watch some porn or something.
Karen took us to a room and shoved a bundle of cloth in my arms. “Change into this, nothing underneath, and get on the table. The doctor will be in shortly.”
I sneered at her as she waltzed away.Screw you too, Karen.
As soon as I turned around, Miss Snotty two-shoes was forgotten. My eyes wandered over all the equipment and the large padded table. This was the exam room? Everything was so… clean. Nan and I used to fight over the one chair, because neither of us wanted to sit on the doctor’s old dirty table. Christ, my bedroom was smaller than this. Bedroom, huh? This would make a good bedroom.
I’d put the bed by that nice big window so I could fall asleep to the sounds of the ocean. Maybe a comfy chair would be better? That’d be a good place to read. Curl up with a warm blanket while the stars twinkled in the sky…
“Do you need help?”
I cocked a brow at Parker. He was standing there, staring at me expectantly. “With what?”
“The doctor will be here any minute,” he said, nodding at my arms.
That’s when I remembered the gown I was holding.Oh crap.
I started to pull my shirt off, but stopped to glare at Parker. “You can leave.”
“Not gonna happen, Angel.”
Jerk two, nice one.
