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I glance around the table once more, and there’s a more serious edge to each of the men. Even Seb, who is holding Phoebe, is on guard, likely because of whatever they can scent from me. “So, who can come with us?”
I cross my fingers, hoping like hell it’s not Ben who agrees to come with me. He’s an amazing friend, and aside from a few overstepped boundaries, we’ve become quite close. I’m fond of the cheeky wolf, but he’s also very enthusiastic and has no tact whatsoever. I think he’ll only add to my anxiety, and that’s not something I want.
I also don’t want to verbalise that because I know it’ll hurt his feelings.
“Good, I’m glad,” Alex says with a firm nod. He looks around the table at his brothers, raising an eyebrow at Topher. “I can cancel my meetings if need be, and I can come with as well.”
“I’ll be there,” Topher says. His words don’t carry any room for argument, which is good, since I really don’t want Alex to have to cancel his day just to chauffeur me around. “Can I come into the room, or do you just want company to the surgery?”
“You’d want to come in?” I don’t know why I sound so surprised, but he doesn’t give me a hard time for it.
“If you’re comfortable with me being there, I want to be,” Topher says simply.
I nod, sliding into my seat a little. “I’m nervous.”
“Talk to us,” Alex demands, reaching over to squeeze my wrist gently.
“I know everything is being handled by you guys, and that you’re doing everything that needs to be done to ensure Phoebe’s safety,” I say quietly. Another look is exchanged between them, and I swear I see guilt flash across Alex’s face. “But I can’t shake the feeling that everything is going to go wrong.”
“We are doing everything to ensure Phoebe’s safety,” Topher says in that no-nonsense tone of his. “But if Dr Thomas is something that is making you anxious, then I’ll check it out whilst I’m there today. Hopefully, we’re in and out and won’t cross paths with him, but if we do, you won’t be alone.”
“I’ll give him a little look into as well once I get to work,” Ben says, and I give him a grateful look.
“By that, he means he’ll be able to tell you everything down to the colour of his underwear,” Alex teases. I try to laugh, but we can all see how half-hearted it is.
“I can come to the doctors with you and Toph as well, though, if that’ll put your mind at ease,” Ben offers.
Topher’s the one to shake his head now. “No. Going to the office and checking in on Dr Thomas from your standpoint will be best. If you’re nervous around him, Maia, there’s a reason for it.”
“Thank you for not just writing this off.” I bow my head when I say that, reaching over for my glass of smoothie. This one’s the nicest one Ben’s done, and he was pretty proud that it had only taken him two weeks to get a blend down that I really liked.
I’m not sure if it actually helps my milk supply, same with the cookies he makes, but it’s nice, and he really enjoys doing these things for me.
I tried to give back to them all one night by making dinner since they were all running late, but not only did I end up burning pasta so badly we had to bin the pan, I ended up crying for a good forty-five minutes because I was so exhausted.
I’ve not tried since then.
“We’d never write off any insecurity you have,” Ben says, giving me a smile. It’s very sweet. “Some of them aren’t even unfounded. Your toes are pretty ugly, and you’re a terrible cook, so once you’re done breastfeeding, you’ll never make Phoebe another meal again.”
I snarl, glaring at him, because he’s just lost the sweetness. Alex groans, but Topher’s expression barely changes. “Fuck you, Benjamin Wolfe,” I hiss.
He leans back in his chair and furrows his brows. He eyes his brothers up before turning to me, and I don’t know what’s put that excited glint in his eyes, but I know I’m not going to like it. “Do you mean that literally? Because I’m not sure I want my first time to be done in front of our child, but if it gets your hands on me…”
I let out a frustrated screech, unable to even explain why he’s an idiot, and instead, I angrily sip at my smoothie as I glare daggers at him.
“We’ll make it work, won’t we, princess?” Topher asks, moving the conversation along. I nod hesitantly. “Good girl. I promise you that everything will be fine.”
A tear drips down my cheek, and I refuse to look at him. “You can’t promise that, Topher.”
First Ben and his stupidity, and now Topher trying to get my hopes up.
My emotions can’t take this back and forth.
He reaches across the table and grips my chin in between his thumb and his index finger. “Do not hide your face from me.” I sigh and meet his hazel eyes. “Trust me, Maia, when I say that everything will be fine. I won’t ever make a promise I do not intend to keep.”
And although my brain is still chaotic, my body seems to submit to his dominance—or arrogance—and I relax.
Everything will be fine.
