Always With You (The Connor Family 6)

As we started our last cocktail, my thoughts drifted to reviewing the schedule for the rest of the week. I was going to restart my swimming routine the day after. I needed the energy boost. The one I got from my fifteen minutes on the bicycle in-between my afternoon meetings wasn’t enough. Damn. I did sound like a robot.

I glanced at this beautiful woman next to me. Would this eventually push Hailey away? Make her look elsewhere for the excitement I couldn’t give her? I couldn’t bear it. Not from Hailey. When she put the finishing touches on her cocktail—a cherry on a stick—I stood behind her, running my mouth down the side of her neck, twirling my tongue over her bare shoulder.

“He

y. Stop distracting me, or there will be no more late nights like this.”

I unzipped her dress, letting it fall to her waist, moving my mouth even lower. She gasped.

“Or sleepovers,” she threatened, only it didn’t really sound like a threat, because she was whispering. I continued my descent down her back slowly. The thought of her dating someone else had driven me crazy. I was in this deep and had no idea what to do about it. When I gripped her hips, turning her around, the smile she gave me was so big that I decided it didn’t matter that I couldn’t map out the next steps. I had this gorgeous woman right here with me. That was all that mattered.

Chapter Sixteen

Hailey

A week later, it was time for Val’s obstetrician checkup. When the baby appeared on the screen, my eyes started to burn. He or she was so little. Carter, Peyton, April, and I were all huddled around the bed. I was the only one about to shed tears, but I wasn’t embarrassed in the slightest. I was so happy for my sister, for the entire family.

“Ahhhh, congratulations. It’s a girl.”

All of us started talking at the same time, and it was all I could do not to jump up and down with joy. I hugged April and Peyton, who were already reciting potential girl names. Carter squeezed Val’s hand.

“Let me take some measurements, but everything looks normal.”

Afterward, when the doctor asked to talk to Carter and Val, I went with the girls to the coffee shop across the street, entertaining them. April was fifteen and already a fashionista, so we had lots to talk about. Peyton was listening to us with rapt interest.

When Carter and Val joined us, I immediately noticed my sister’s demeanor had changed. Her shoulders were hunched, and she was frowning. When Carter suggested to the girls that they go to the counter with him to buy a second round of treats, I knew I wasn’t imagining things. The second they were out of earshot, I focused on Val.

“What’s wrong?”

“You can tell something is wrong just by looking at me?”

“Duh. You’re my sister. So, spill it. What did the doctor say?” My hand flew to my stomach. I braced myself.

“The baby is okay, I’m okay, but she advised me not to fly this trimester. I can’t come with you to Chicago in two weeks.”

I felt so much relief, it was as if my very bones had turned liquid. Val was supposed to give birth mid-June. We were in the third week of April now. We’d booked the trip eons ago, before we knew she was pregnant, but in retrospect, I should have realized that flying so late during a pregnancy wasn’t a good idea.

“Val, forget about Chicago. What else did the doctor say?”

“Aside from the fact that I’m at an advanced maternal age? At least she didn’t call it geriatric pregnancy.”

I winced. Both sounded harsh.

“She just said that it would be good if I didn’t do anything strenuous.”

“She suggested bed rest?”

“Not exactly, but she thinks travel would take a toll. Especially with a longer flight. I’m really, really sorry.”

“We can do Chicago another time. Or not at all.”

“But you already have the hotel booked.”

“I’ll just go by myself, then. I’m used to it.” When I worked as a consultant, I ventured alone everywhere I went.

“You can convince someone else to take my place.”

I frowned, not quite understanding where she was going with this.