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Staring at this fucker, I dig into my wallet and toss him a twenty. “Here’s your lousy tip. Now, get the fuck out of here before I get you arrested for assault.”
The guy drives off, and I spin around, devastated how Ana is not only shaking, but pulling away from me, struggling against my ironclad grip.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” I catch my breath. “I realized I forgot her meds and freaked out. Then I saw you. And him. How he was touching you. I was irrational. I’m sorry.”
“Can you order another ride to bring me…” Ana’s eyes lift to mine and saying home sits on her lips. “Back to your house. Or hail me a cab and pay in advance.”
I’m swamped with mixed concerns, mostly that I don’t want her out of my sight. Leaving her alone may have been a huge mistake. My brain is fogging up left and right.
“Come with me,” I say, holding her more gently now.
“Where?”
“The party.” I point to the paint studio across the street. “Do you have more important things to do?”
“You said I could go into labor any day and shouldn’t be out in public.” She hands me the knapsack.
I notice she’s wearing my Seahawk’s raincoat. A feeling of possessiveness hits me, so fast, so strong, my arms itch to hold her again. Seeing her wrapped up in something that’s mine, and not just wrapped around a baby with my family’s bloodline, sends heat billowing through me.
“It’s good that I’m a doctor. I can—”
“Dr. O’Rourke!” a voice shrieks from across the street. “Sophie’s not breathing!”
My heart stops, and my life flashes before my eyes as I race back across the street.
Dodging cars flying down Fenwick like it’s a fucking racetrack, I burst through the doors of the paint studio.
“Where is she?” I yell.
“She ate a cupcake and started choking.” A woman points with fear in her voice.
My world spins seeing Sophie laid out on the floor, her little legs with those shiny shoes shaking.
I tear into the knapsack and take out the EpiPen. But my hands are sweaty.
“Hurry, Dr. O’Rourke.” One of the mothers sits on the floor, holding my daughter’s head.
I try to snap the tip off, but my palms keep slipping over and over. Tears cloud my vision as the panic grows.
I’ve not had to give her a shot. Ever. We’ve been so careful. She’s been careful.
How could this happen?
“Give me that.” Ana grabs it from me and shoves me aside.
Feeling sick, I watch her roughly twist the top off and plunge the needle into Sophie’s leg like I told her. My daughter gasps back to life in a matter of seconds, then starts crying hysterically.
I drag her into my arms, crying along with her. Maybe even harder.
“You’re okay. You’re okay. Daddy’s here.” I lose my balance from crouching and collapse to the floor, feeling bodies around me.
Sophie coughs, but she’s fucking breathing.
“Here.” Ana stands there with a cup. “It’s water, sweetie.”
“Thank you.” I take it from her. “Sophie, honey. Open your eyes and take a sip of water.”
Shaking with tears streaming down her little face, Sophie’s mouth tips open as she sucks down the water from the cup.
