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A rebuttal died on my tongue as the phone rang. I snatched up my cell.
An unfamiliar number with no caller ID. Having to choose between answering it and Thomas’s badgering, it was an easy choice.
I raised a finger and crossed to the other end of the room.
“This is Dr. Liam Cooper.”
“Good afternoon, Dr. Cooper. This is Dr. Morris. There’s a patient in my clinic—Miss Ava Morellis.”
My heart lurched. I glanced back at Ava’s dad, who was looking out the window at my garden.
I swallowed. “Go on.”
“She came in for her routine prenatal appointment. But she suddenly broke down.” The doctor paused as if turning to look at Ava. “She’s panicked and alone. When I asked who I could call for her, she gave me this number. I’m guessing you’re someone who can help her.”
My chest crowded.Panicked and aloneechoed in my brain.
Thomas was right. Ava was not alright. And I’d been lost in myself and failed to realize she must be torn up, too.
“I can.” I choked out. “I’ll be there as soon as possible.”
The doctor gave me the address.
It was miles away.
Shit.
I hurried back to my desk.
Thomas promptly turned from the window. “Something wrong?”
I glanced into his worried eyes, my stomach twisting. He was her dad and deserved to know. But now was not the time.
Even though he couldn’t be there, I would go to her side.
“A patient needs me.” I grabbed two sets of keys and tossed him one. “Lock up the place, okay? Thanks.”
Before Thomas could respond, I raced out of the clinic. My hands shook as I opened the car door, got in, and tore down the road.
Despite everything, Ava had reached out to me.
I couldn’t keep wallowing. I needed to man up.
I probably broke a few traffic laws, but the sense of urgency increased with every mile that passed. I couldn’t delay.
Patients requested my attention all the time. The staff always had questions and updates for me. I had the medical board to report to.
Yet, none of my other responsibilities ever gutted me this way. As though I would crack if I failed to meet and surpass Ava’s expectations of me.
It was unbelievable.
I never imagined having a child in my future. I’d dedicated all my time and effort to building a career. It was a foregone conclusion that having a family had passed me by.
Yet, here I was, driving like a maniac to be with the mother of my child.
A feeling sparked in my chest. Warmth and tenderness mixed with worry. For Ava.
For our child.
