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It sounded logical, put like that. ‘I’m going to be the size of a small bus.’
‘You have no flesh on you whatsoever,’ he said dryly, dropping two slices of bread onto her plate and putting a jug of coffee in the centre of the table. ‘That bump is all baby. Am I allowed to pour your coffee or does that offend your independent streak?’
‘I know you’re laughing at me but I won’t depend on anyone.’
‘You can relax. I don’t want you to depend on me. Just for the record, you’re cooking dinner tonight.’ He poured coffee into two mugs and pushed one across to her. ‘There we are. You should put milk in it. You need building up.’
She patted her stomach and there was humour in her eyes. ‘You want to have to refashion all your doors just so that I can pass through them?’
‘As I said, that bump is all baby.’
‘Big baby, then.’
‘Does that worry you?’ He bit into his own sandwich and she looked at him, thinking, not for the first time, that he was incredibly astute. She saw it over and over again at work and not just among the women he delivered. He noticed when a midwife was slightly off colour, he knew that Delia in the staff restaurant was having trouble with her hip. He didn’t miss anything and she really liked that about him.
Men were supposed to be useless at picking up signals and yet Jake seemed to notice everything.
‘Honestly? A bit, yes. I suppose all women are apprehensive about delivery.’ She picked up the sandwich and nibbled the corners. ‘But I’m sure it will be all right. I took your advice and saw Tom Hunter. He’s a nice guy.’
‘Everything all right?’
‘Yes, seems to be. I’m boringly healthy. Low blood pressure, plenty of movements.’ She felt a little embarrassed discussing it. ‘He didn’t anticipate any problems.’
‘He’s a good obstetrician.’ Jake sipped his coffee
and grinned. ‘Not as outstanding as me, of course, but I couldn’t deliver your baby.’
‘Why not?’
His eyes locked on hers. ‘Because I’m emotionally involved and that isn’t a good thing. Obstetricians have to be able to take a step back.’
His words made her insides shift alarmingly. ‘Why are you emotionally involved? I’m just your lodger.’
He studied her face for a long moment, his blue eyes revealing nothing of his thoughts. ‘If you’ve finished your breakfast, I think we should go for that walk. Exercise is good for you. If Tom didn’t mention that fact then he should have done.’
‘Jake—’ she couldn’t let the subject drop that easily ‘—we’ve been living together for a month now and you haven’t mentioned—’ She broke off and he smiled.
‘The fact that there’s this amazing chemistry between us?’
She blushed. ‘After a month of living with me you’ve probably discovered that I’m a long way from being your ideal woman. I’m stubborn and independent and I fall asleep when I’m not working—’
‘I’m assuming that the sleep thing will improve once the baby is born, and I happen to like your independent streak.’ He stood up. ‘Let’s leave the clearing-up until later. It’s February and you, of all people, know how changeable the weather can be. The sun’s shining at the moment so we should make the most of it.’
Aware that he’d changed the subject, she followed him to the door, feeling as though the conversation was only half-finished.
‘Jake—’
‘Miranda.’ He turned to face her, his eyes gentle. ‘Are you sure you want to pursue this line of questioning? If you ask me, I’m going to be honest about how I feel and you’ll be obliged to tell me that the relationship isn’t going anywhere and then I’ll argue with you and that will ruin our walk. So let’s drop it for now.’
For now?
He was implying that he still had feelings for her, and yet…
She bit her lip, knowing that he was right. Whatever he said, she was going to back off.
‘Get your boots on.’ Jake pushed them towards her. ‘I’ll do them up for you.’
‘I can do them myself, just about.’ She slipped on another thermal layer and pulled on a jumper and then her coat. ‘I’m boiling.’
