Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
“Yeah.” I stand up, and she rubs my arm before wheeling the cart back out of the room, coming back less than a minute later holding a printout of the ultrasound. I take and tuck it away in my purse without even looking them over.
“I’d like you to make an appointment for a week from now with the obstetrician here in the office.” I nod. “If you need anything or have any questions before you have the chance to meet with him, you can always call me.”
“Thank you, Dr. Shelly.”
“Good luck, Hanna.” She leaves, and I take a few minutes to pull myself together before I open the door and leave the room.
I step into the waiting room, where Walker has been since I was called back, and stop just inside the doorway to watch him as he talks to the older woman sitting next to him. The idea of him hating me after the news I’m going to have to share makes my chest hurt.
Somewhere along the line, my stupid heart that didn’t know any better got completely wrapped up in him, a guy who is about as tame as the ocean in a storm. He turns and smiles when he spots me, then says something to the older woman sitting next to him, patting her hand before getting up and walking in my direction.
“Ready?” he asks, and I nod, forgoing my stop at the counter to set up an appointment for next week. I’ll call and schedule one over the phone.
“Sorry you had to wait so long.”
“It’s all right. Was everything okay?”
“Yeah.” I step into the elevator with him and try to talk myself out of puking as he presses the button for the lobby of the building.
When the doors open, a woman pushing a stroller greets us, and Walker steps out with me, then holds the door for her so she has time to go in. “Thanks.” She smiles at us, looking exhausted but happy, and without thinking, I place my hand to my stomach.
“You okay?”
My eyes fly up to Walker, who is watching me closely. Then again, he’s always watching me closely.
“Yeah.” I remove my hand quickly. “Just hungry,” I lie.
“That Indian place you love is close by. We can get lunch there.”
“That sounds good.”
Since it’s just a short distance, we walk down the sidewalk hand in hand, and like the universe wants to keep reminding me of my current situation, we must pass a dozen couples or moms with strollers and women who are pregnant and showing. I glance up at him each time to see if he notices any of them, to try and imagine what he’s thinking if he does. I get nothing and honestly I’m lost on how or when I’ll tell him that I’m pregnant. I know he mentioned that he wanted kids but that was one day in the future scenario that doesn’t exist in this situation, one where we had settled, probably gotten married and planned for a baby.
When we arrive at the restaurant and are seated, I wonder if the smell of curry and other spices I normally love are making me nauseous or if the fear wrapping around me is.
“I’m going to run to the bathroom. I’ll be back.”
“Okay, baby.” He watches as I slide out of the booth, and I hurry to the restroom.
Going right to the sink and splash some cold water on my face, breathing through my mouth. I try to remember if I’ve felt nauseous at any point over the last few weeks or had any symptoms I should have recognized, but it’s hard to remember. I know I’ve felt tired, but with traveling and so much going on, I’ve gotten used to feeling that way.
When I’m pretty sure I’ll be okay, I leave the restroom and walk back to the table, fear paralyzing me when I’m halfway there. Dizzy with dread, I watch Walker look over the printout of the ultrasound and recognize the exact moment he understands what he’s looking at.
Lifting his head, his eyes meet mine, and the world feels like it shifts under my feet. His expression gives nothing away as he shoves the paper back in my bag, slides out of the booth we were seated at, and begins walking toward me, carrying my purse.
“We’re going home,” he says quietly, and all I can do is nod as he grabs hold of my hand and carefully maneuvers me between tables and right out the door.
CHAPTER 21
walker
Pregnant.
She’s fucking pregnant with my kid.
Jesus.
I glance down at her as we step out on the sidewalk. She looks pale and freaked out. Actually, she’s looked freaked since she came out of her appointment.
I didn’t understand it then, but I sure as fuck get it now.
I glance around for the closest cab and spot one parked at the end of the block, and begin leading her that direction, because there’s no way I’m taking her on the train right now.