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My mouth parted. “Liam?”
His usually styled-to-perfection hair was windblown and disheveled. He didn't have on a jacket. The sleeves of his button-down bunched around his elbows and the open top button exposed his chest.
All of this worried me. He looked like he’d raced over here. But it was his gray eyes, settling on mine and flooding with relief that clutched at my heart.
“This is Dr. Liam Cooper whom you asked for, is it not?” Dr. Morris took a step into the room, looking between us.
I found the strength to nod.
“Good.” Still giving us a look, she said, “I'll see to another patient while you two talk.”
She inclined her head slightly before leaving. The door clipped shut, leaving us alone together.
Liam jerked into motion. He rushed over to me, his arms open and inviting.
All the tension in my gut melted, and my body turned weak. Just in time as his arms wrapped around me. He pulled me against his hard chest, cocooning my body.
I tucked my head at the base of his throat and drew in deep breaths. All of him, his warmth, his cologne.
I flattened my palms on his chest, feeling his strength beneath my fingers. “You’re here,” I whispered.
“I’m here, princess.” His throat bobbed with a rough swallow.
Tears welled up in my eyes. This time, I was powerless to stop them. The first drop touched my cheek.
“I was so scared. I—”
“Shh,” he cooed, stroking my hair. “It’s okay, Ava.”
His calm voice combined with the soothing touch only made my tears fall harder.
“Ava…” He squeezed me some more. “It will be alright.”
My tears soaked through his shirt but he only held me closer. How was he being so understanding?
I slipped my hands down and wrapped them around him, pinning my body to his. He felt like home and comfort, and I just needed both so badly.
“I was… I didn't mean to break down,” I sobbed.
He didn't stop, just continued to trace his palm down my back and run his fingers through my hair.
“I thought I could handle it all. I just didn't think—” I drew back to look at his face. “I'm sorry, Liam.”
I was pretty sure my nose was wet and red and my face splotchy. But Liam’s gaze held only warmth and acceptance.
“You have nothing to apologize for, Ava.”
“But I do.” The last word was drawn out as fresh tears ran down my face.
I buried my cheek against his chest once more. “I'm sorry for all of it. The way you found out, lying to my dad, pulling you away from your work today… I thought I could handle it alone. But then I came here and Dr. Morris started talking about genetic testing and preeclampsia and diabetes—”hiccup“—I don't want anything to happen to the baby. I don't want my feet to get swollen. I just want everything to be fine.”
“It will be.”
I drew back. “How? You don't know that.” I wiped the tears from my blurry eyes. “Wait, you do, because you're a doctor. But you don’t know for sure!”
“Come here.” Liam’s voice was slightly amused as he pulled me back against him.
I sagged against him, my sobs turning into tears, and then into shudders.
