Moonlighter (The Company, #1)(50)

“What’s that?” I hear myself ask.

“In early pregnancy, the placenta rides low. Then it’s supposed to shift higher. Otherwise bleeding can occur, and a c-section may be necessary.”

I still have no idea what she’s saying, but it doesn’t sound that bad.

“You’ll move up to the second floor,” the doctor says, scribbling something on a chart. “Your husband can stay with you.”

Your husband. Under different circumstances, we might have a laugh over that mistake. But the doctor is about to make her escape. And I have a pressing question. So I follow her into the hallway.

“Excuse me. Doctor Patel?”

She turns around.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Of course.”

I drop my voice because I don’t want anyone to overhear. “Look, is there any way I caused this?”

She blinks. “Well, first, we don’t know if there’s a problem. Everything might be fine.”

“I know that, but…” Words fail me. And I don’t even know if I’m ready to hear the answer to the question I can’t spit out.

“Look, Mr.…”

“Bayer.”

“Mr. Bayer, I’m going to assume you’re asking about sexual intercourse?”

“Um, yup.” And this is officially the most awkward conversation I’ve ever had.

“Pregnant couples are encouraged to enjoy a normal sex life. If sex caused miscarriages, the human species would already be extinct.”

I feel my shoulder muscles begin to unknit about two seconds after her words sink in. “Oh. Okay.”

“Like I said, there’s no evidence that this pregnancy will end in miscarriage. But even if it does, please know that most miscarriages are caused by genetic abnormalities, or underlying health problems, such as food poisoning or other pathogens. They are not caused by sex, or stress, or spicy food, or exercise.”

“Right. Good.”

“Your job is to just breathe through the next twenty-four hours, and to support your partner no matter what happens.”

“Yes. Absolutely,” I say, willing the conversation to end. “Thank you.”

She hugs her clipboard a little more tightly and turns away, her shoes squeaking on the hospital’s shiny floor.





They move Alex upstairs, as promised. An hour later, I’m dozing in a reclining chair in her new hospital room. Or I’m trying to, anyway. The lights are off, and I’m hoping that Alex can fall asleep, giving herself a break from all the anxiety she’s still feeling.

But after ten minutes of silence, I hear her let out a sigh.

“What are you thinking about over there in your big brain?” I whisper.

“Paint colors.”

“Wait, what?” I chuckle.

“I want to go home and choose colors for the baby’s room. Girly colors.”

“Were you really going to wait and be surprised?”

“Yep. I didn’t want to get attached. Not until I’d dealt with Jared and whether or not he’d sign away his rights. I felt like I didn’t deserve her until I knew I could keep her safe.”

“Hey.” I lift my head. “Safe is a done deal, Alex. We’ll get this done.” After the words come out, I realize I put myself into that sentence. “Max knows a lot of tricks,” I hedge.

“I know. But I want this baby. This baby. I’m done beating myself up for past mistakes. I’m ready for her now.”

“That’s right. You’ve got this.”

She’s quiet for a moment. “You’re a good friend, Eric.”

“I know.”

She chuckles. “But not a modest one.”

“Nope. You want modest, you need another friend.” I smile into the dark, because it’s all true.

“You can go back to the hotel, you know. You don’t have to stay here and wait in that chair.”

The thought hadn’t even crossed my mind. “We’re friends, right? Friends don’t leave friends alone in strange hospitals.” I get up out of the chair, walk over, lean down and kiss her cheek. “Try to sleep. Is there anything I can do for you?”

“No. But if they clear me to leave in the morning, you can call Rolf and get him to pack up our hotel room. I just want to get on the plane and go.”

“Okay. Sure.”

“In fact, if you want to warn the security team and Rolf, that would be helpful. Rolf can put the plane on standby for eight a.m.”

“Good idea. Is there anyone else I can call for you? Your dad?”

She shakes her head. “Nah. Let the man sleep. There isn’t any news, anyway.”

“Right. Okay. I’ll make sure we can go home when you’re ready.” I stroke a hand over her hair, then take my weary self out into the tropical night to find a place where I’m allowed to make some calls.

And just like that our strange little tropical fling is ending early. I’d never wanted to come to Hawaii. And now I feel sick about leaving early.

It doesn’t make a lick of sense. But some things never do.





17





Alex