Page 187 of Haze of Obedience
"We need a doctor. Tonight," I demand. "Zoe, sit down." I lead her to the couch.
Naomi sits next to her. "Are you hurt from when you were mobbed earlier today?"
Zoe looks at me.
I smile at her. "No. Zoe's pregnant, and we're having a baby."
Congratulations and surprise fill the air.
"But she got hurt today. The doctor in Texas said everything was fine, but we need a doctor here...preferably tonight."
"I'll call Sloane," Blaise says and leaves the room.
Zoe winces again.
"Lay down, my Little Diva."
Naomi rises and picks up pillows then puts them under Zoe's head. Andre grabs a blanket and covers her.
"Now I really feel like a diva," Zoe teases. "You don't all need to fuss like this."
"You had the wind knocked out of you, they hit into your stomach so hard. Don't downplay this," I bark out.
Zoe's eyes widen.
I scrub my face. "Sorry. I didn't mean to sound gruff."
She reaches for my hand. "Come here for a minute."
I bend down.
She holds my face. "I'm fine. Everything is okay." She pecks me. "Why don't you talk with Andre and Blaise and let Naomi and I have some girl time? Have a beer or something."
"Good idea. Dirk, let's go," Andre says.
"I'm not leaving you."
"Dirk, I'm fine. Naomi is right here."
"I'll yell if she has any more pains," Naomi promises and sets a glass of water on the table next to Zoe. "I'll even give her a foot massage."
"Yes! Total diva benefits," Zoe chirps then points to the barstools across the room. "Go. Have a beer with the guys."
I debate.
"Go. It's a few feet away," Zoe insists.
I finally kiss her on the forehead and obey. When I get to the other side of the room, Andre hands me a beer, and Blaise reenters the room. "Sloane will be here in about a half-hour."
"Who's Sloane?"
Blaise's jaw clenches. "She's a therapist but is also a medical doctor. She had a large practice before she decided to focus on therapy."
"How do you know her?"
"I've known her for a while now."
"She's great. She's been helping Naomi and Vanessa. Even though Hunter and Vanessa are in Australia, she's going to continue to treat her via virtual meetings."
