Page 40 of Shattered Dreams

“We might have gotten carried away one morning,” Gage mumbles, sitting in the seat Zane emptied. “We’re worried the medication Zarah’s on will do something to the baby if she’s pregnant.”

My doctor nods. “I understand your concern, but the human body is resilient, and the umbilical cord acts as a wonderful filter to protect the fetus. I’ve seen healthy babies delivered to alcoholics, drug addicts, patients going through chemotherapy. Of course, the less you can subject your body to, the better. You know that or you wouldn’t have stayed behind to ask. Can I ask when this morning of passion took place?” he asks, a smile on his lips.

“About a week ago.”

“Not long then. Well, let’s not cry over milk that isn’t spilt just yet. You recently had an appointment and were prescribed birth control, am I remembering correctly, Miss Maddox?”

“Yeah. I got the shot.”

“That works rather quickly if administered at the right time in your cycle. Take a pregnancy text in six weeks, and if it’s positive, we’ll work out a plan. That may include cutting off your medication quicker than expected, but that isn’t the end of the world. I’m assuming you would choose your baby’s safety over your own?”

Gage straightens, an objection fast on his lips, but I override him. “Yes.”

“It won’t come to that, let me assure you,” he says, waving a hand at Gage to calm down. “I just wanted to be sure if there are side effects to the decrease she would be willing to accept the risk. Most women are. Contact my office and let me know either way.”

I stand and drape my coat over my arm. Gage is rigid beside me, angry. I don’t know what he was expecting. Drugs and pregnancy never mix well.

“Thank you,” I say and shake his hand. He’s an old worn bear, and he smiles kindly.

“Good luck, young lady.” He looks at Gage. “Don’t beat yourself up. My youngest wasn’t planned. She’s thirty-two now and has her own children. Sometimes we just get carried away.” He winks.

In the hallway, I stop. Gage didn’t laugh or smile at Dr. Reagan’s remarks. “It’s going to be okay. We got good news today.”

“You are not risking yourself for a baby.”

“You weren’t listening. He said things would be fine.” I reach up on my tiptoes and tug his shirt, asking him to lean over, and I kiss him, his beard prickly against my skin. “I love you, and I would never put myself in danger. I’m looking forward to our life together, okay?”

He sighs and rubs his thumb over my bottom lip. “I want you safe.”

“I am. Let’s celebrate. Zane and Stella are waiting downstairs.”

Gage steps forward then stops, his eyes smoky. “You still want this baby?” he asks. His voice is rough, gravelly, and oh my God, so sexy.

“We don’t know if thereisa baby, but if there is, yes I want it. He or she is a piece of you. Nothing bad is going to happen.”

“I want to believe that.”

“I do.”

He lets me lead him down the hallway and he hugs me in the elevator, sighing softly. We step onto the sidewalk, and Douglas is waiting to open the door.

I climb into the SUV. Zane studies me and notices my pink cheeks, but he only shakes his head.

At the restaurant, Stella’s excitement is contagious, and we have a champagne toast wishing wonderful things to come our way.

CHAPTER SIX

Gage

After lunch, Zarah and I stand on the sidewalk outside the restaurant. She wants to ask me to skip work, but the words won’t come. I should let her go her own way this afternoon, call her tonight and wish her a safe flight, and leave it at that. I’m bitter. She might need the space she dumped me to have, but she doesn’t want it.

The wind bites at our skin, and her hair flies into her face.

Zane and Stella ordered a car and went back to the Crowne. I see through Zane’s actions much more clearly than I have since I met him. He’s walking the same tightrope I am, trying to keep Zarah safe without smothering her. I thought it was indifference, or guilt, but he’s only trying to do what’s best without crowding her, same as me.

“I have to go back to the house and pack. I don’t have everything I need at the penthouse,” she says, looking down the block and not at me.

“I squelched on a job last night and it upset Pop, so I should go to the office get some stuff done,” I say, pushing the hair outof her eyes. “I’ll drive out tonight and we can let the dogs run and talk for a bit.”

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