Page 53 of Fall for You (Flirting with Forever 4)

“He has the date and time?” Sophia’s brow creases when I nod.

Heath pats my hand where it’s resting on the table. “Not to impose my fiancée on you, but Sophia could go with you if you want her to. She missed out on all this early pregnancy stuff with her best friend back home.”

My eyes flick to Sophia’s. “Cammie?”

“Yes. She’s due in June.” She gives me a brief smile and then heads right back into it. “But yeah, I’ll come if you want me to. Just say the word.”

My eyes fill. This is not how I saw this happening. “Please come with me.” I heave a sigh through a weak grin. “And I’ll put you down for the strawberry cake with vanilla buttercream frosting.”

Heath gives me a soft smile. “You knew we’d pick the strawberry for Ava before we even walked in.” He winks at me, but then his face takes on a more serious expression. “You’re a good friend to both of us. Let us be there for you now, Q.”

Sophia stands up and pulls me out of my seat and folds me into another hug. “Whatever happens, you know this baby will be so loved.”

I nod, overcome with emotion.

I’m having a baby.

To kick off Tuesday morning, I throw up in my first period biology class, right into the trash can at the front of the room. The chorus of ew and yucks behind me is definitely not a good start to my morning.

I excuse myself and cross the hall to Sophia’s room, where she and Heath have planning this period. When I peek my head into their workroom, Sophia shoots out of her chair as soon as she sees my face. “I just got sick right in front of my class.”

Heath stands and moves past us. “I’m on it.” He jogs out of sight, and his booming voice sounds in my classroom across the hall. “All right, all right, settle down.”

I tune out, trying hard to calm my racing heart. “As if the rumors already swirling around weren’t enough, now I’ve added fuel to the fire.” I sit on the edge of Sophia’s desk, head in my hands. “And the worst part is that Olivia is in that class.”

Sophia squats in front of me, looking up into my eyes. “What can I do? Moral support?”

There are a couple of raps at the door, then a quiet, thready voice asks, “Do you need some Wheat Things, Ms. Lockmore?”

Sophia and I both startle at the intrusion. Olivia. Oh, shit. She stands there at the doorway to the workroom looking awkward and uncomfortable, but holding out a plastic baggie of crackers.

Neither of us responds at first, as we’re so surprised to see her. My mouth is dry, and I blink at her a few times. “Yes, please.”

She comes a few steps into the room and hands them to me. “I’m sorry you still feel sick.” Her forehead creases, a deep line running down the center. “What do you think is wrong?” Her eyes flick between me and Sophia. “I’m sorry. That was really nosy.”

My eyes slam shut and the hand holding the baggie shakes. Sophia rubs her hand up and down my back. When I open my eyes again, it’s to see Olivia’s lower lip clamped between her teeth. I don’t have children—yet—and I don’t know how I’m supposed to answer her. “I’ll be okay, honey. Thank you for the crackers.”

She studies my face for a few seconds before giving a little nod and slipping out the door. Sophia and I stare at each other. She’s the first to break the silence. “Holy crap, what a mess.”

Shoving a cracker in my mouth and chewing slowly, I pull my phone out of my pocket and send a text to Liam.

Me: I think the rumor mill is about to start again. I threw up in class. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.

I power down my phone and eat a few more crackers. No way am I going back to class right now.

Chapter 31

Liam

I’d known when Quinn told me the appointment was today that a few things could cause some problems with me getting there in time. When the text came in from her earlier, I knew I couldn’t miss it. She’s struggling with this. Hell, I’m struggling.

After briefing Stacy on the meeting with a prospective clien

t who may host their son’s college graduation party here, I take off. Thank God for Stacy. She deserves a raise.

I arrive at the doctor’s office only five minutes after the appointment time Quinn had texted me. My heart thuds hard as I rush into the building, coming to a hard stop at the desk where a stern-looking receptionist sits. I’m a little out of breath when I blurt out, “Quinn Lockmore. She’s here for a four o’clock appointment.”

One brow goes up and she looks at her computer screen, moving the mouse around. Jeez, she’s taking her sweet time about it. Finally, she looks up at me over her reading glasses. “Have a seat. There will be someone out to get you in a few minutes.”

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