Gina’s face turned red, and she looked nervous to answer. “Yes.”
“How could you? How would you feel if it were your husband?”
“I don’t have any excuse, other than to say I wasn’t a good person before the accident. And it wasn’t just what I’d done to you. When my father was sick, I didn’t visit him often. When I was up for a promotion at work, I spread rumors about the other candidate having a drinking problem in order to win the position over him. I put myself, and my wants and needs, above everything. Basically, I was selfish and didn’t think about the effect I was having on other peoples’ lives.”
“And now? Are you saying that’s changed?”
She looked down. “It has. At least I’m working on it.”
I stared out the window for a few moments. Oddly, I didn’t want to scream and yell anymore. I just wanted to put this whole thing behind me. “Does she look like him?”
She shook her head. “No, she doesn’t. And we always used condoms. Ben was really good about it.”
I scoffed. “How big of him.”
“Like I told your boyfriend, I really don’t think she could possibly be Ben’s. But I can’t be one-hundred percent positive because…you know.”
“Because you were sleeping with my husband at the same time you were cheating on your boyfriend?”
“Yes.”
“I’d like to swab her now. Perhaps we can do it in the ladies’ room. It will only take me a minute.”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
It was bizarre to go into the ladies’ room with my husband’s mistress and swab the little girl. Gina simply told her daughter to open her mouth so that the nice nurse could check her cheeks. The innocent little thing was none the wiser. By the time I was done, I was anxious to get the hell out of there. Gina, on the other hand, thought we’d become friends and could talk about boys while I packed up the test kit into my purse.
“So, you’re dating Dr. Hogue now?”
I glanced up at her in the mirror as I washed my hands in the sink.
She continued, “He seems like a good catch. Was pretty upset when he realized who I was and the connection we had.”
I grabbed a paper towel and attempted to ignore her. She still didn’t take the hint.
“Plus, he’s a doctor and all.”
I wanted to smack that man-eating smirk off her face. But I wouldn’t do that in front of her daughter. Finished with what I’d come to do, I knelt down to the little girl. I took her hand into mine and squeezed gently. “It was very nice to meet you, Olivia.”
She smiled, and I took once last opportunity to study her face for any sign of Ben. I couldn’t find any.
Standing, I pulled my bag onto my shoulder and leaned into Gina so that her sweet daughter couldn’t hear. “Keep the fuck away from Dr. Hogue, you home wrecker. You haven’t changed at all.”It was the longest three days of my life.
The day after I met with Gina, I brought Brendan to the hospital at the end of Simon’s shift for a quick swab. I hated lying to my son, but there was no reason for the memory of his father to be soiled. In just another day and a half, I’d know the truth.
Oddly, for the last day, the object of my obsessive thinking wasn’t my cheating, dead husband. It was something his mistress had said that I hadn’t been able to shake. She’d reminded me of the struggle I had getting pregnant. I wasn’t even sure if Simon wanted kids. But it wouldn’t be fair of me to not warn him there was a distinct possibility I wouldn’t be able to give him any. It was hard enough almost ten years ago, and now I was getting older.
Simon had taken a quick shower after dinner and went to his room to get changed while I put Brendan to bed. I found him in the kitchen pouring two glasses of wine. “You read my mind,” I said.
“I figured you could use it.”
He’d slicked back his wet hair after the shower, but a long, blond piece fell into his eyes as he handed me a glass. I eyed it and brought my wine to my lips. “Brendan has an appointment with the barber next week. I’m thinking I should bring you along with him.”
“I’ll cut my hair if you don’t like it.”
“You will?”
“Absolutely.” He shrugged. “You just have to show me a boob.”
I sputtered swallowing my wine. “What?”
“You heard me. I’ll trade you a haircut for a peep show.”
“You’ll cut your hair if I…flash you a boob?”
“Deal?” He arched a brow.
I reached out my hand. “You’ve got yourself a deal, Dr. Hogue. Maybe Brendan will stop complaining if you get yours cut, too.”
Simon took my hand in his, and then used it to yank me flush against him. He whispered against my lips, “I had an appointment set for this Saturday morning, but now I’m gonna get some tit, too.”