Page 18 of The Doctor

“That’s not good news. How long have you been throwing up?”

“Three days now. I thought I’d get better, but every day I keep getting worse. I guess it’s good it happened now and not when I’m out of the country.”

“Yes, you shouldn’t get on an airplane right now. When are you supposed to leave?”

“Yesterday,” I cry. I’ve been an emotional mess for the last week. I’m not sure if it’s hormones, my life changing because I’m pregnant, or the two combined, but I cry at the drop of a hat. “Lexie had me stay home.”

“That’s good. Do you have anyone who can check on you or stay with you for a couple of days?”

I close my eyes and listen to his voice. There’s something about it that’s soothing. He really is a good doctor when he’s not finding out he’s the cause for the doctor’s visit.

“I guess I could call my mom. It might take her a few days to get here, though.”

“Do you have any friends or… a boyfriend?”

“No, I’m a loser. Does that make you happy?” I snap.

“You’re not a loser, but I had to ask.”

“Uh-huh, sure.”

“Raine, you’re a joy to be around—with the exception of your office visit.”

“Thanks. That wasn’t my best day.” I’m not normally so mean and emotional.

“It’s perfectly understandable. I was also not having my best day. I think you’ll realize once we get to know each other that I’m not usually an asshole.”

His comment makes me smile. Kade’s thought about getting to know me. But, of course, he has. I’m having his baby. If he’s going to be in this child’s life, he’s going to want to know I’m not a monster who sleeps around.

“Are you there?” He asks, concerned again.

“I am. I’m just thinking. I know seeing me last week was a shock. It certainly was for me, but I never asked you how you feel about all of this.” I’m scared of his answer.

“Do you want me to be honest?”

“Always, even if it’s going to hurt my feelings.” I’d rather know now than later down the line.

“Okay, I’m still trying to wrap my head aroundeverything.I never thought I’d see you again when I woke up alone, and to find you sitting on my exam table and pregnant blew my mind.”

“Even though I was drunk, I should have gotten your last name.”

“We definitely got caught up in the moment,” he agrees.

My body flushes with heat as bile starts to rise. “Oh god,” I groan.

“Raine, what is it?”

“I think I’m going to be sick again. How can there be anything left?” I whine.

“You should go to the hospital and have them check you out,” he murmurs.

“I don’t have the money to pay for a trip to the emergency room. Don’t you have some magic trick to make me feel better?”

He’s quiet for a few moments before I hear some shuffling around. “I still have a couple of patients to see here, but I can come check on you when I’m done. I’ll bring something that will hopefully help with the nausea.”

“It would be most appreciated.”

“You have to agree that if I feel like you need to go to the hospital that you’ll go. Otherwise, I won’t come.”

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