Page 70 of Small Town Firsts

He jumped up like someone had lit a fire under him. “Gotta go!”

From that day forward, Simon was my protector and I was his escape.

“Simon, I’m as grown as it gets. I pay my own bills, own my business, and I’m about to pop out a baby.” My words aren’t said with venom, and I know he can hear my smile.

“Yeah, yeah. Guess you’re right. Well, I wanna see pictures from the ultrasound, ‘kay? Gotta see with my own eyes that my nephew’s growin’ good.”

“That I can do. Why don’t you see if D wants to meet us for lunch, and I’ll invite the girls?”

“Sounds good. See you later, Myles.”

My fingers fly across my screen as I fire off a quick group text, asking the girls to lunch before tossing my phone in my purse and heading out the door. I’m so beyond ready to check on my little bean that I don’t even wait for their replies. Twenty weeks is the appointment every mom gets crazy-anxious-excited for. There’s something so surreal about seeing your baby on that screen, and this time, we’ll get an in-depth look.

The tech will measure his little bones and give us an estimated weight, she’ll count his fingers and toes, and I’ll get to see his sweet baby face. I’m so damn ready. Not to mention, this is also the last time I’ll see him before his grand arrival in September. And Cash will be there with me, by my side and holding my hand through it all.

Today is gonna be one for the books. I can feel it.

I pullinto the parking lot, only to find Cash ready and waiting for me, coffee in hand.This man—gah!“Well, hello, handsome. That for me?” I nod, gesturing toward the coffee.

“Sure is. I read online that caffeine can help the baby be more active during an ultrasound.” Oh. Oh, my heart.

“Well, look at you. All thoughtful.”

“Always for you, darlin’. Now let’s go. I’m ready to lay eyes on my boy.” Seriously, I must have done something awfully right in a past life to have this man here and now.

After jotting my name down on the sign-in sheet, Cash and I take a seat toward the back of the waiting room. We’re both anxious, all drumming fingers and tapping feet. Thankfully, we don’t wait long before my name is called.

The nurse leads us back to the ultrasound room and instructs me the same as last time—on the table, shirt lifted, waistband rolled down. Belinda squirts the warm gel onto my belly and starts expertly shifting the wand around.

“All right, here we go.” She moves the wand, applying pressure. “Ten little fingers. Ten toes.”

The whoosh of my bean’s heartbeat fills the room, and Cash sits up straighter. “Is that?—”

“Yes, sir, that’s your baby’s heartbeat. A perfect one hundred and thirty beats per minute.”

“That’s not too fast?” The worry in his voice tugs on my heartstrings, reminding me that I’m keeping secrets from him.

“No, sir, his heartbeat is one hundred percent within a normal and healthy range.” Belinda continues about her measurements, but instead of watching the screen, I’m watching Cash. His cheeks are damp with happy tears.

“All right, Miss Myla, I have some images for you and Dad to take home. Dr. Mills?—”

“I’m sorry, Doctor who?” Oh, Jesus. Guess I shoulda told Cash who my doctor is. Not that he’s anything like his wife or his son.

Belinda’s eyes dart between us uncomfortably. “As I was saying, Dr. Mills isn’t quite ready, so y’all can head back out to the waiting room. A nurse will call you.”

I grab Cash by the hand, tugging him along behind me, seating us as far away from other people as possible in the small space.

“Your doctor’s related to Taylor how, exactly?”

“Don’t get mad, okay?” His mouth is tight, but he nods. “Dr. Mills is his dad.”

“His dad? You have to be kidding me, Myla. Really?”

“But he’s so different from Kathy and Taylor, I swear it, Cash. I think he might love this baby too. I mean, he’s never outright said that. He’s never been anything but professional, but I just know it.” Reaching for his hand, I take a trembling breath. “I promise, babe, I wouldn’t come here otherwise. Trust me?” Those two little words almost make me puke, because why should he trust me? I’m a liar. He just doesn’t know it.

“I know. Fuck, I know. Just don’t like it. Can I come to the rest of your appointments?”

“Sure, if it’ll make you feel better.”

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