Page 43 of The Doctor's Twins

“Good. Keep it that way.”

“I have news, but now I’m not sure I want to tell you.”

“What is it, Lula?”

“I’m pregnant.”

“Oh, Lula! That’s wonderful news. I’m so happy for you. Ángel must be so excited.”

“Yes, he keeps talking to my stomach as if the kid can hear him. He bought a baseball mitt, so I asked him what he was going to do if it was a girl. He said he doesn’t mind what the sex of the baby is. The two of them are going to play baseball no matter what.”

“Ah, that’s so sweet. You’ve got yourself a good one there, my friend.”

“I know. I’m so happy. Hang on. Are you working?”

“That’s right. I haven’t told you yet. I’m completing my residency. The doctor who performed the DNC offered me a job.”

“That’s amazing. Is he a good guy?”

“He is.”

“Is he cute?”

“Very.”

“Hmm.”

“I know what you’re thinking, and you can stop scheming. I’m married and he doesn’t need my drama in his life.”

“Sounds like I hit a nerve,” Lula giggled.

“No. No nerve. I’m just being practical. Besides, it will be a very long time before I trust a man again.”

“Don’t do that, Peyton.”

“Do what?”

“Don’t assume the worst just because Mateo is a rotten apple. Don’t close yourself off to the possibility of love and a family.”

“I’m not, but it’s too soon to think about love. Besides, I don’t know if I’ll ever trust a man again. I don’t trust myself to choose well either.”

“You’re smart. You’ll pull it off.”

“I have to go, Lula. I’ll call again soon. I promise.”

“Be careful, Peyton. Look after yourself.”

“I will.”

I was happy for Lula and Ángel. My friend’s husband was a sweetheart. She’d chosen well.

I checked the time. It was getting late, and I hadn’t eaten yet. I was on the night shift for two weeks. I was glad because Ben seldom came around during the night shift unless he had to perform an emergency C-section.

But was I really glad? I missed him. I didn’t think I would. Then again, I hadn’t imagined I’d sleep with him either. So much for not getting involved with another man.

The problem was that Ben was the sort of person who was almost impossible to stay away from. He drew me in like a magnet. I’d caught myself a few times on the brink of telling him everything. Especially while I lay in his arms after we’d been intimate.

No, Peyton. Remember, you’re doing this to keep him safe. If he knows about Mateo, he’ll do something about it. That’s who Ben is. He cannot know!

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