Indefinite (Salvation #6)(26)

Tonight, I’m going to head to New Jersey to avoid my stalker, who has established his camp in New York. He didn’t appear at my door this morning or during my commute, which was both great and a little disappointing. I thought he would’ve popped up with his smug and very sexy smile.

I spent the entire time looking over my shoulder, wondering when he was going to rear his ugly face—well it’s not actually ugly at all. My muscles were tight until I got in the building, but that was when the frustration sunk in. Why did I want to see him? Why did it matter if he wasn’t around? I should be happy about it because that’s what I want. Who cares if I won’t have another angry fuck session? I don’t want that anyway.

“Great. Once you get that narrowed down, we’ll get you on the schedule and get the medications ordered. Since your period is due in about twelve days, you can take the shot right after your last day, or you can wait another month if you haven’t picked a donor.”

Hell no I’m not waiting. “I’ll have a man figured out by Monday.”

“I’m sure you’ll pick someone wonderful, Ashton.”

I don’t know about that, but whoever it is, they’re about to have a kid and not even know it. It’s so surreal. I can’t imagine knowing that I donated an egg that would eventually be a baby without my knowing.

“Yeah, I’m sure too.”

“Are you okay?” she asks with furrowed brows.

“This is really going to happen? I mean, it’s real, right? I’m going to be a mom?”

Clara nods with a grin. “I hope so. As you know, success rates vary, but financially this is the best first step. We’ll run some bloodwork right before and go from there. But I have a good feeling about your chances. We know you can conceive already, and there are no abnormalities.”

“Right. I mean, this is all good news.”

Her eyes stay on mine. “You’re nervous?”

“Yeah.” I laugh. “It’s one thing when it’s sort of conceptual, but when you know it can be a reality, it becomes a lot more . . . real.”

Clara gets up from her seat and comes around the desk to sit beside me. “I encourage you to talk to your family, Ash. Not only because their support will be great, but so that you’re not alone through any of the possibilities. I know you’re this strong woman, and I admire you for it, but the added hormones can mess with your head.”

Any medication could have side effects, but hormones are probably worse. “I’ll think about it,” I tell her.

I know my mother would be supportive, after she lost her mind. My father, though, I don’t know. Catherine and Gretchen already are happy for me, but they’re not here. In terms of a local support system, I’m really alone.

My cousins are all over the state and raising their own families. It seems like a lot to ask them to be around.

“Please do, I’ll be here, but I’m also your doctor, so I have to keep our friendship separate a bit.”

“I appreciate it, Clara, I really do.”

“I’m happy you trust me enough.”

“There were no other options. You’re the best, and you know it.”

She squeezes my hand. “I’m only as good as my embryologist.”

“Speaking of your embryologist, I should get back to the lab. We have a few retrievals today.”

“Okay, I’ll talk to you next week?”

I get to my feet. “Definitely, and then we’ll make me a baby.”





Once work is done, I get home, pack a bag, and get in the car to trek out to Jersey. My mother was over the moon delighted that I was coming. No doubt she’s cooking and running my father ragged to get all my favorite things.

My mommy is the best.

I know that I can tell her all about my issues with Quinn and she’ll understand. Yes, she loves him, but she loves me more. It’s the traitor I call Dad who I need to work on.

On the way home, I look for Quinn again, but I don’t see him. I knew this would be the outcome and this solidified it. Nothing has changed. He doesn’t love me or want a family. He got what he wanted and now he’s gone again.

I pull into my parents’ driveway, park, and make my way up the porch steps.

“I’m here!” I say as I juggle four bags and try to open the screen door that never cooperates. Sure enough, the one bag slips off my shoulder, slapping me in the face as I bend to adjust the other ones. “Help! Anyone!”

I hear my father’s laugh and then hands are pulling at the bags. “Ouch! Dad, wait!” I groan as I’m trying to move the opposite way.

“Stop fighting, and it wouldn’t be stuck.” I hear the voice that does not belong to my father say.

I look up, my hair in my face, but I don’t need perfect vision to know who it is. “And then the cat came back . . .”

Quinn chuckles. “I never left.”

“Ashton, get inside, the air is on!” my mother complains.

I push my hair back and there is the grin that has haunted me all day. The look on Quinn’s face says it all—he got me.

I allowed myself to think he was gone, allowed my guard to drop just enough that seeing him sends a rush of emotions over me. I’m happy, sad, angry, hopeful, turned on, and want to slap him all at the same time.