Page 98 of Dr. Bad Boy

“I re-dipped the pee sample myself, Violet. It was a strong positive result. We can do some blood work or schedule an ultrasound to try and get you more accurate dating if you need it, but…you’re pregnant.”

“We always use condoms,” I whisper, denial morphing into something else, something close to but not quite acknowledgement.

She nods. “They’re good, but not a hundred percent. A small tear might be missed. Or if there’s any genital contact. And there are options to discuss if this is not a wanted pregnancy.”

I blink down at my hands, resting on my lap. My naked ring finger. For two years, I wore a wedding band, and thought about when I might have a child.

Then I got divorced and accepted a baby wasn’t in my imminent future.

But options?

I’m pregnant.

With Max’s baby.

There is only one option.

I start to cry.

The doc hands me a tissue, and waits for my hiccups to subside.

“This isn’t always good news, and whatever support you need, I’m here for you. We can discuss this more now, or you can make another appointment if you need some time.”

I shake my head. “I want this baby.”

Through a veil of tears, I see her nod. “Then we can discuss prenatal care as well.” She pauses a beat. “Will you be telling the father?”

Am I that obvious? I nod, harsh, jerks of my head. “He’s a…”Doctor, too. Fuck. He’s also a secret. Well, that’s going to have to change.

One thing at a time.

I inhale slowly, shakily, and let it out.

I dab the tears away from my eyes and lift my face to the ceiling, willing myself to pull my shit together. “Yes. I’ll tell him tonight.” Another breath in, and out. “I’m not sure how it’ll go, to be honest, but he’s a good guy. We haven’t been dating that long, but…”

I find myself spilling my guts to a doctor who’s got a busy clinic beyond that door, and I can’t even tell her anything specific. But I unload, and she hands me tissues, and doesn’t stop until I finally stop crying for real this time.

“You’ll be fine,” she says, patting my knee as she stands up. “Your baby has an awesome mom, and that’s the most important thing. And you’ve got almost nine months to sort the rest out.”

If only it were that easy.

When I arriveat Max’s house, it’s empty. I check my phone, but there aren’t any messages from him yet. I curl up in the living room and flick on his television. It’s frozen on the recap from a basketball game that he must have been watching last night or first thing this morning.

I hit play.

It’s almost domestic. Almost normal. My doctor boyfriend is late coming home from dinner, and I’m curled up in his spot, under his blanket. When he gets home, we’ll make dinner together, even if it’s just reheating stuff delivered by a catering company.

Then he’ll take me downstairs to his dungeon and flog my ass until it’s pink.

Except first I have to tell him I’m pregnant, so that might put a crimp in those plans.

I groan and tip my head back.Put on your big girl panties, Violet.I snort. Maternity underwear. God.

Do they make those in silk and satin?

Nothing more domestic and normal than a baby on the way…

And just in time for Christmas.

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