Page 56 of Sizzling Desire

The faint rumble of a car engine pulls me out of my thoughts. Kate’s Jeep slows to a stop in Kane’s driveway, and I grab my purse, inhaling deeply before quietly slipping out the door. The morning air is crisp, carrying the scent of salt from the ocean. I don’t look back as I hurry down the steps, slipping into the passenger seat before Kane has a chance to come outside.

Kate eyes me suspiciously as she shifts into drive. “You want to tell me why I had to come pick you up when you’vegot a very sexy, very overprotective firefighter in that house who could’ve driven you to your doctor’s appointment?”

I click my seatbelt into place, keeping my voice casual. “I just needed some space.”

Kate doesn’t buy it. “Grace.”

I rub my hands over my thighs, avoiding her gaze. “It’s nothing.”

Kate scoffs. “Bullshit. If it was nothing, you wouldn’t be looking at your hands like they hold the meaning of life. Spill. What happened?”

I exhale slowly. “I just didn’t want to deal with Kane today, okay?”

Her brows rise, but she doesn’t press, not yet, but I see it in her eyes—Kate is patient, but not that patient. “I grabbed you a bag of clothes from my closet. They’re in the backseat.”

I look at the bag, knowing that eventually those clothes aren’t going to fit, but they’ll do for now…until I need to go shopping for larger clothes.

“Thanks.”

We drive in silence for a few minutes, the radio playing some pop song that normally I’d roll my eyes at, but right now, I just focus on the passing streets. The doctor’s office is ten minutes away, but it might as well be an eternity. Because as soon as we get there, Kate’s going to know. The second she sees the sign-in sheet, sees where we are, sees the obstetrics department—she’ll know.

My pulse picks up.

I swallow hard, forcing myself to breathe through the anxiety clawing at my ribs. I could reschedule, but I have to go. I have to make sure everything is okay after breathing in all that smoke yesterday.

Kate keeps stealing glances at me. She knows something’s up. She just hasn’t figured it out yet.

We pull into the medical plaza, and my stomach twists. I place ahand on my abdomen without thinking, protective, instinctual. Kate parks and turns off the engine, but before she can ask anything else, I shove open the door and head toward the entrance.

My name is on the patient list. The receptionist hands me a clipboard. Kate leans against the counter, reading the sign.

Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Everything in her face goes blank.

My stomach clenches as I wait for her to say something, but she just steps back, processing.

I grip the clipboard tighter, then force myself to move toward the waiting area.

Kate follows. Still silent.

I sit. Cross my legs. Uncross them. Does crossing my legs hurt the little peanut? I don’t know this kind of stuff. My heart is trying to escape my chest.

She lowers into the chair beside me and finally speaks.

“You’re pregnant.”

It’s not a question.

My throat tightens. “Kate?—”

She holds up a hand, still eerily calm. “We’re going to deal with this after your appointment. But just so we’re clear? You and I are having a very long conversation.”

I nod, my throat dry.

“Also, you are not alone in this, Grace. Not in the slightest,” she says as she places a hand on my arm while looking at the home improvement show playing on the television. She doesn’t push. Just sits beside me while I fill out the form with shaking hands.

I don’t realize I’m holding my breath until my name is called. I exhale and stand. Kate squeezes my hand before I go, and then I follow the nurse inside.

---