Page 5 of Pining for Pierce

“Yeah. Very.”

“There’s nothing wrong, is there?” Cooper says, sounding concerned. “That’s not why you’re here?”

“No. I’ve just come in for a check-up.”

Cooper seems to sigh out his relief and then says, “Do you know what you’re having yet?”

Laurel shakes her head. “No. We’ve got another couple of weeks until we find out.”

“Do you have a preference?”

“No… but I know Brady does, before you say anything.”

“He’s told you then?”

“Yes. I know he’s told you, too. He wants a girl. I’m pretty sure Addy will, too. So, there’s no pressure.”

“Does that mean you haven’t told Addy yet?”

“Not yet. We’re gonna wait until we know what we’re having, and tell her then.”

Mallory opens her mouth to say something, just as Taylor comes out of the doctor’s office, still carrying her baby. The doctor follows and immediately invites Cooper and Mallory into his room. They go through, although Mallory takes a moment to admire Jude, and then the door closes again.

Laurel stands, taking a peek at Jude, who seems to be asleep.

“Isn’t he the cutest?” she says, and Taylor smiles at her.

“We think so.”

“How’s Nate taking to fatherhood?”

“He’s loving every second.”

At that moment, the main door opens and Remi and Gabe Sullivan come in. As usual, they’re smartly dressed… him in a dark gray suit, and her in black pants and a pale pink blouse. Remi works in the library, which is just a stone’s throw away, so she didn’t bother with a jacket. They make a very attractive couple, although the timing of their arrival couldn’t be worse… at least from their perspective. Remi takes one look at Taylor’s baby, and despite her best endeavors, her struggle becomes clear. Fortunately, Laurel and Taylor are still deep in conversation and don’t notice her discomfort as she turns her dark head, averting her gaze. Gabe’s fully aware of the situation, though, and steers her toward the chairs before coming over to me.

“We’ve got an appointment at nine-thirty,” he says. “We’re a little early, but we’re impatient to get our results.”

“It’s okay. There’s only Mrs. Hanson in front of you.”

Gabe nods his head and goes to sit beside his wife, putting his arm around her. They’ve been here a couple of times now… to talk to the doctor, and for various tests. The results came in yesterday, and I called Remi just after lunch to let her know and make this appointment for them. As with most tests – and their subsequent results – I’m involved in ensuring they get sent off, and notifying everyone involved, when they come back in. That means I have a vague idea of what’s going on, and while I may be sworn to secrecy, I also know there’s no medical reason for Gabe and Remi’s struggles to conceive. The test results are all completely normal… evidently. Naturally, I have no ideawhat the doctor will say to them, or how he’ll help them move forward, but I hope he can… and I hope things work out for them.

Jude suddenly lets out a loud cry, and Taylor makes her excuses to leave, while Laurel sits back down, giving Remi and Gabe a smile, but clearly choosing to respect their decision to sit separately. It’s not long before Mallory and Cooper come out of the doctor’s office, full of smiles and holding hands. They’re gazing into each other’s eyes, evidently pleased with the outcome of their meeting, and don’t have time to speak to Laurel before she’s called in by Doctor Dodds. The reception falls quiet again, and I turn my attention to my computer, to give Remi and Gabe some privacy, if nothing else. I also allow my mind to drift to thoughts of Pierce, a smile touching at my lips, like it usually does when I think of him… because even if things aren’t how I’d like them to be between us, at least I’ll get to spend Sunday afternoon with him. And that’s better than nothing.

Chapter Two

Pierce

“Are you sure you don’t wanna stay?” Kenna gazes up at me, fluttering her eyelashes. “Tomorrow’s Sunday, and I’ve got nothing to get up for.”

Her meaning is obvious… not that she needs words to express herself. Her demeanor and clothing reveal more than enough.

“Unfortunately, I have,” I say, taking a step backward into the hallway outside her apartment.

She pouts, which I think is supposed to tempt me into changing my mind, but it’s not gonna work, because even though I have nothing planned for tomorrow – at least, not until the afternoon – I’m not sure how much more of Kenna I can take. Sure, she’s pretty enough, her heart-shaped face framed by long blonde hair. Not only that, but she has the kind of hourglass figure that most men would die for… or kill for. I’m not sure which. She does little to hide it, either, wearing a white lacy mini dress, with a fitted bodice and plunging neckline. It has straps, but she’s allowed one of them to fall from her shoulder, and while I’m tempted to raise it back up, I don’t want to get that close, just in case she gets the wrong idea. Because I’m leaving, no matter what.

Why?

Good question.

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