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“For the love of all that’s holy, Emily, what the hell is wrong? You’re driving me crazy.” Dylan ran his hand through his hair in exasperation.

“If I told you, you wouldn’t believe me,” I said, knotting my fingers in my lap.

He narrowed his ice-cold blue eyes. “Try me,” he said, and it was a challenge.

I shook my head. Doctor Dyl was not ready for the land of ghosts and all things Tristan Fairfax.

I took a deep, steadying breath as I stood and wrestled with a strange, newfound emotion I’d never experienced before.

It felt like longing.

The supermarket was relatively quiet. I followed Dylan around in a daze, trying to rationalize what Tristan had said.

Someone from his past was back. Pete, he called him, but back after how long? What had he been here for? I had so little information. I would have to write a list of questions for Tristan, and then perhaps I could make sense of what was happening.

“Do you need anything from here?” Dylan interrupted my thoughts.

We were in the toiletry aisle. I shook my head, not really concentrating.

“Suit yourself,” he mumbled, and I followed him to the end of the aisle. It was only when we passed the tampons that I froze.

“You need tampons?” he asked gently.

I blushed scarlet. “No. That’s not it. What’s the date today?”

“It’s the twenty-fifth,” Dylan murmured quietly.

My confusion spurred him on.

“Of August. Emily, you’re worrying me. What is it?”

I bit my lip and looked at my knotted fingers. “I’m late,” I whispered, and heat spread over my face. Mortified, I glanced up at Dylan.

“Late?” He looked nonplussed.

I nodded.

He frowned, then the light bulb went on. “Oh! Um… how late?”

“Weeks.”

“Shit. Um…” His face was ashen. He stood motionless. “I’m sorry to ask you this, Emily, but is there any possibility you could be pregnant?”

“No!” Now puce, I stared at the floor.

Bloody hell!

“Of course not. I’ve never…”

I heard his exhale of relief. “Okay. Sorry. I didn’t think so.” He frowned. “Emily, you’ve been through a traumatic time, and you’ve lost a lot of weight. Both of these factors can affect your cycle.” He reached out and gently squeezed my shoulder. “Once you’re back on a more even keel, and eating properly, everything should return to normal. If you’re worried, I can register you with a local doctor and you can go and discuss it with them.”

“I’d like that,” I said simply.

So much easier than discussing this with you, Doctor Dyl!

“Just in case, do you want to buy something now? If it makes you feel any better, I have to get these for Lulu sometimes. She has this sort.” He pointed to the brand I used.

I giggled, more from embarrassment than humor, and he smiled at me.