Page 77 of Duke
See? Complicated.
“That’s how I feel too.” Her eyes squeeze shut. “I really wish this wasn’t happening. I’m so mad at myself.”
“Hey.” I reach over to tuck her hair behind her ear. “This was an accident. No one to blame, all right? And your doc said we got time to make a decision.”
She nods, eyes still shut. “I just hate being in limbo. I can’t focus on anything else right now, which is a big problem because work is so busy.”
“Are you…” I clear my throat. “Open to all options?”
She opens her eyes. “I am. Are you?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
I let out a silent sigh of relief. We’re on the same page in that at the very least.
“Do you want kids?” I ask.
“Like in the bigger picture sense?” She sniffles. “Yeah, I think I do. Be nice to have my own little family. One that’s hopefully happier than the one I grew up in.”
“My family was happy. Is happy. Not to brag—”
“Ha.”
“But it is awesome. That sense of belonging.”
She opens her eyes. They look different. Thoughtful. “Sounds so nice.”
“It is. Most of the time anyway.”
Taking a deep inhale, she lets it out. “I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow at ten. Guess they want to confirm the tests, and I want to figure out what my options are.” Her eyes toggle between mine. “I know you probably have to get back to the ranch for work, but—”
“Absolutely.” My heart drums inside my chest. “I will absolutely go with you. Ryder’s got my shit covered back home. I’m here for as long as you need me, yeah?”
Her lips pull into a soft smile. “Yeah. Okay.”
I have no idea how to make this okay.
I got no clue if things are going tobeokay.
But right now, Wheeler is okay, which means I’m okay.
I’ll take it.
CHAPTER 18
Hot Cowboy in the City
Wheeler
I’ve known Dr. Martinez for over a decade. She’s seen me through my first Pap smear, my first birth control prescription, and my first slightly panicked STI screening.
I have never, not once, seen her blush. Or giggle.
But she does both during my appointment the next day, her eyes wandering to Duke over and over again as she bangs on the keyboard at the computer in our exam room.
“So you’re a real life cowboy, huh?” Her fingers pause over the keys.
