She glanced at him. As she hadn’t told him about the appointment, he must have been talking to Reid. Was this a conspiracy?
“Is Reid even going to show up?” she asked.
“I don’t know. He’s not here now, you need to leave and I want to come with you.”
“I’d rather go alone.”
His dark gaze searched her face. “Are you sure?”
No, dammit, she wasn’t sure. But she didn’t want to admit that to him.
Just then Reid drove into the parking lot. He pulled up in front of her. “Sorry I’m late. There was an accident on the bridge.”
“It’s okay. Park that thing and let’s go.”
Reid glanced between Penny and Cal. Cal moved closer to her.
“I’m going,” he said.
“No, he’s not. Reid, don’t you dare.”
Reid shrugged. “It’s better this way, Penny. You two need to talk. Besides, he’s seen you naked and I haven’t. It will be easier.”
“No, it won’t,” she yelled, but it was too late. He’d already driven off. She turned to Cal. “Did you tell him we slept together?”
“Of course not. He was talking about when we were married.” He put his hand at the small of her back and urged her toward her Volvo. “Come on. We’ll be late. Do you want me to drive?”
She was so upset, she handed him the keys without thinking. It was only after she’d climbed into the passenger side that she realized she’d abdicated authority to Cal. Jeez.
She couldn’t believe Reid had turned on her that way. “We’re supposed to be friends,” she muttered, feeling hurt and abandoned. “I’m going to have to explain that to him later.”
“He understands,” Cal said as he backed out of the parking space. “He’s trying to help.”
“Which one of us?” Penny muttered.
“Where are we going?”
She gave him the address, then settled back in her seat. “This is dumb. I would have been fine on my own.”
“You still can be. If you don’t want me in the room with you, I’ll wait outside.”
She swallowed. “Maybe that would be better,” she said, although she wasn’t sure she meant it. While she knew the ultrasound was a perfectly normal procedure, she couldn’t help being terrified by the thought of it. That’s why she’d asked Reid to come along. So she wouldn’t have to face it alone.
“What’s wrong?” Cal asked after about ten minutes of silence.
She stared straight ahead. “Nothing.”
“Do you have to go to the bathroom? Should I stop somewhere?”
“What?” She sounded deeply insulted. “No.”
“You’re fidgeting. I wondered why.”
She shifted in her seat and didn’t answer. Cal considered the possibilities—everything from her hating him so much she couldn’t stand to be in the car with him to—
“You’re nervous,” he said. “Why? Is there something you haven’t told Reid? Is there a problem with the baby?”
“No. Not that I know of. I don’t know. I’m just scared.”
Risking dismemberment, he reached out and took her hand in his. “I know. It’s because you lost the baby before and what if something is wrong this time.”
She sighed. “Yeah.”
“There’s no reason to think there’s any problem. You’ll be fine.”
“You don’t actually know that.”
“You don’t actually know I’m not telling the truth.”
She squeezed his fingers. “Okay. Maybe.”
He sensed her relaxing a little and decided it was a good idea to keep her distracted. “Reid mentioned you didn’t want to know the sex of the baby.”
“What else did you talk about?” she asked.
“I agree with you,” he said, ignoring the question. “There are too few good surprises in life these days.”
“Oh, please. You’re only saying that because you’re assuming I’m having a boy. Typical male. The whole world just lives to be your penis.”
He chuckled. “Something like that.”
They parked in the multilevel structure by the medical building. He followed her into the office.
The waiting room was uncomfortably cheerful and feminine and he was the only guy in sight. Despite feeling awkward, he was glad he’d come. Especially after Penny gave her name, took a seat and then grabbed his hand in hers.
“You can come in,” she said, not looking at him, but instead staring at the floor and speaking very quickly. “Tell me if you hear them talking about anything. I want to know.”
He turned and touched her chin so she met his gaze. “I promise.” Then he drew their clasped hands to his mouth and kissed her fingers. “Relax. Everything is going to be fine.”
“You don’t know that. And I’m only letting you be nice to me because I’m scared. Just so we’re clear, I’m still furious with you.”
He shook his head. “Okay, you can imagine ways to roast me over an open flame after the appointment.”
She was quiet for a while, then she said, “I appreciate you doing this.”
“Why wouldn’t I be willing? It’s not that big a deal.”
She looked at him. “What do you think is going to happen?”