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“Really? That’s it? I just told you we’re having a baby and your reaction is to prescribe me a do-and-don’t list, then send me on my way?”
His gaze fell. “Ava…”
I pressed closer. “Liam, this is messed up, I know. But I expected some sort of reaction from you. Hell, anything, but this…” I gestured my hands between us, the words dying on my lips. “Don’t you have questions? Anything to say? I’m having our baby, for goodness’ sake!”
His eyes shot to the door, then back to me. No longer were they blank or indifferently professional. Their gray depths hit me with the force of a tsunami.
I folded my arms across my chest and stood my ground.
“Remember who’s in my living room?” He stabbed a finger toward the door. “Your dad. My friend.”
“So?”
His eyes bulged. “So, he brought his daughter to me to be treated. His daughter, who he is worried about. His daughter, who I’ve knocked up.”
I pinched the spot between my brows. “Liam, you don’t have to—”
“I have to, Ava!” His voice shook. “You’re right. This is messed up. But you are wrong about one thing. There’s nothing funny about this.”
I bit my lip, my anger cooling. An uneasiness grew in my stomach.
His eyes went to the door again and he blew out a breath. “I’m not going to leave your dad sitting out there any longer than need be.”
He murmured something about raising suspicion as he breezed past me.
The door creaked open.
I spun around. “What are you going to tell him?”
Liam stopped in the doorway, his back ramrod straight. “I’ll tell him it’s your blood pressure.”
Relief swooped through me. Not that I expected him to reveal the truth. He didn’t seem to have come to terms with it himself.
“I need time.”
I looked up.
“This—” his face turned slightly, so I could make out his profile. The muscle in his jaw ticked. “—is a lot.”
With that, he walked out. The door swung closed behind him.
I could understand that, I guess. But it was no less disappointing.
But what had I expected him to do? Jump for joy?
I sagged against the exam table. The dizziness was long gone. But a harrowing emptiness took its place.
I doubted drinking water or wearing loose-fitting clothing could fix this.
If I could hide away forever in the sterile exam room, I would. I didn’t want to face my dad or Liam or myself. I just wanted to forget my problems.
But Liam was out there, telling Dad half-truths. I needed to play my part. And put up a strong front until we could tell the whole truth.
I pulled in a deep breath.
Just act normal, Ava.
I made my way out of the clinic and down the hall connecting to the house. I was close to the living room when my dad’s voice reached me. My feet halted, breath ceasing.
