“No, not like this,” Everly answered ignoring Reid’simploring gaze. “Can you write it down and seal it in an envelope please?”
“Of course.”
There was a short knock at the door.
“Excuse me for a moment, in the meantime, you may getcleaned up and dressed Miss Pengram.” Dr. Gupta excused herself from the smallexamination room and stepped out into the hall.
Grabbing the supplied hygienic wipes, Reid began wiping thegel from her stomach.
“Why did you tell her no?” He questioned, his pouty voice inthat moment sounding a lot like Zane’s.
Looking up, Everly had to bite her tongue to keep fromlaughing. Reid’s expression was completely new, one she had never seen himwear. The look was a cross between a pout and an agitated frown.
“I was going to let Zane open it first,” standing from thetable, Everly pulled on her pants.
Opening his mouth, prepared to argue Reid stopped when sheheld up her hand.
“Zane was already sad that you took me to the appointment, Ithink it’s only fair to give him this,” she reasoned.
Sad was an understatement, Zane was positively heartbroken.From the moment they woke up that morning Zane was excited. For nearly theentire two-hour journey to the small city of Chambliss, Zane talked abouteverything they should ask the doctor, so when Reid announced it would just behim escorting her, Zane did not take it well. The argument was quick butheated, Everly didn’t need to understand French to know that. Closing the doorto their cozy bed and breakfast, they rented for the night felt like they hadkicked a puppy and were now abandoning the poor thing.
Reid grumbled something under his breath, she took that asan agreement.
There was a short knock on the door before the doctor pokedher head back in.
“Okay good, you're dressed,” the doctor smiled and walked upto Everly. “Everything looks great, and as I said the baby is developing fine,your blood work is being sent off, I will have results by tomorrow. Of course,I will call if I see anything abnormal,” she gave Everly a reassuring squeezeon the shoulder. “But don’t worry, everything seems perfect. So, unless youhave any other questions for me, you are free to go.”
Saying their goodbyes, they were directed to a counter topay and pick up more vitamins the doctor prescribed. Standing next to Reid ashe paid, Everly couldn’t help but feel that everything felt so surreal rightnow. She was actually out of the cabin, in society around other people who shecould run up to and scream for help. If she wanted, this could be her chance torun. So, why wasn’t she?
Was it comfort? Driving into town through the light fallingsnow, Everly watched a woman carefully cross the street pushing a coveredstroller while holding tight to her toddler’s hand. The scene silentlycaptivated Everly while Zane and Reid discussed their upcoming buildingproject. That could easily be her, Everly thought, but instead, she was cozilytucked in the middle of two powerful men who told her countless times a day howmuch they loved her. Instead of struggling through the winter alone through herpregnancy, Everly was wearing brand-new black leather knee-high boots over hernew fitted maternity jeans and a waist long cream pink cashmere sweater. A partof her hated that she shuddered at that poor woman’s real representation ofwhat her life could be, she hated that she subconsciously snuggled into Zane’smuscular frame for protection. But she loved how Zane, despite being midconversation, pulled her close without hesitation. Everly loved how Reid heldher hand and comforted her entire time of her appointment.
She didn’t want to think about leaving, not right now, notjust yet.
“Oh, I wanted to give you this,” the brunette nurse that assistedher during the exam came up to her and handed Everly a slip of paper. “It’s forfree sandwich at the deli, they are amazing.”
“Oh, okay thank you.” Looking at the yellow slip, Everlypeered out the partially frosted glass office door that led to the building’scommunal lobby area. She did remember seeing a little eatery when they walkedin.
Looking back to Reid, who was still talking to the officeattendant, Everly walked out the office. The lobby was more crowded than beforewhen they first walked in. Looking at the lobby clock Everly could only assumeit was due to the lunchtime hour. Squeezing past a group of people standingaround talking with coffee and pastries in their hands, Everly stepped in line.The menu featured everything from breakfast to lunch foods with a side menuhosting an assortment of desserts. At this point everything sounded good toher, the breakfast she had that morning was light, and now she was realizingshe was hungry again.
“I hope they haven’t run out of the tuna salad,” the voicebehind her said.
Turning to look over her shoulder, Everly was greeted by anice smile by the gentleman standing in line behind her. Tall, dark, andhandsome the description fit him perfectly. Wearing a business suit and alanyard with his work ID and what she assumed was his company’s logo emblazoneddown the length of the cloth, the man stood with his hands thrust casually inhis pockets.
Not really sure what to say, Everly gave an awkward smile.
“Are you going to get the free sandwich option?” He leanedforward and gestured to the yellow slip in her hand with a nod of his head.
Taking a second to analyze the handsome face, Everly allowedherself to relax, the man just seemed keenly excited about lunch.
“I was thinking about getting the club sandwich,” shereplied.
“Oh yes, that one is good too, especially since you can getit with pesto,” he stared back above her head at the menu thoughtfully. “Now Ithink I may want the club.”
The employee behind the counter waved her forward as thelady in front of her grabbed her food and stepped aside. Handing in her slip,Everly ordered the club sandwich. Stepping to the side to await her orderEverly turned back to the gentleman to thank him for his suggestions.
The firm grip on her shoulder spun her around.
Startled, Everly looked up to see Reid standing thereholding her jacket in a tight grip. It only took one glance at his wildexpression to realize her mistake. Grabbing her tightly just above her elbow,Reid began to pull her out of the deli.
