Lies Beneath the Surface (Buried Secrets 2)

“The other is bit scorned by the situation.”

She stares at me briefly before staring down at the calendar on her desk. She has something more hanging on her lip, she’s just not sure how to proceed with her line of questioning. She looks up at me with a weak smile and says, “I see. Well, I’ll have the girls get the test scheduled for your fourteenth week of gestation. They will call you with the details. Unless you have any issues, I won’t need to see you back for a month. However, even if you just need to talk between now and then, feel free to set up an appointment. I’m not a therapist but I deal with this same situation all the time and it can be very stressful for expecting mothers.”

I shake her hand and thank her for her time then make my way to the receptionist desk to schedule my follow up appointment for one month out. After that is all squared away, I head out into the blustery cold to meet Savannah for lunch. She was hoping to be with me for my appointment today since Colton and I aren’t on speaking terms, but she had some e

rrands to run for Josh that he insisted must be done this morning.

When I get to the Village Diner I greet Tabby, the new waitress with a small wave then find my usual table near the back of the restaurant to wait for Savannah. “Hey doll, how’s it shakin’? Gonna have the usual today?” Tabby asks placing the menus on the edge of the table and my favorite sweet tea with light ice on a beverage napkin in front of me. This girl has only worked here a few weeks and she already knows my favorites.

“Hey Tabby, how ya been? Not sure on the order just yet. My sister is meeting me, so I’ll wait for her before I order, ‘kay?”

“Sure thing. Just wave me on back when you’re ready.” She tells me as she slides her order pad down in the front pocket of her apron and turns toward the front counter.

I check my phone for any missed calls, but there’s only a couple of text messages. One from Savannah apologizing for her lateness for our lunch date, and one from Luke.

Luke: What did the doc have to say?

I stare down at my phone wondering whether I should message him back, or just steer clear like I’ve been trying so very hard to do. I’m trying to keep him at arm’s length, but he calls, texts and stops by to check on me often. Luke doesn’t deserve any of this, he is merely the middle man caught up in an accidental love triangle. He know’s who owns my heart, but I still carry guilt for not only having sex with him, but dragging him into this mess. But the fact remains that this baby may just be his, and he ain’t ready for that road to be traveled again.

I shove my phone down in my purse, and think out of sight, out of mind, but it’s never that easy, I promise you this. I hear him clear his throat as he sits down before me. Looking up, my eyes are met with the piercing blue eyes that I’ve intently tried to avoid. Luke.

“Hey, beauts. Had a feelin’ you’d stop by for lunch today. How ya feelin’?”

“I’m good Luke, waiting on my sister, Savannah. How have ya been?”

“Worried about you, as usual. You know you ain’t gotta hide from me. I don’t bite. What did the doctor say? Everything okay?” He rushes it all out so quickly. I laugh at him and his quick tongue, and he scowls back at me.

“Yeah, Luke. Everything is fine. Just dealing with morning sickness all day and night. I thought it was supposed to be mornings only. Ha, fooled me!” I joke. The corner of his lip curls up into a smirk as he stares at me. “I’m fine really. You shouldn’t worry so much, it’ll turn those beautiful brown locks into greys ya know.”

“You know you don’t have to wear a mask for me, right Carly?” He says as his eyes soften, and his smirk turns into a sad smile. I swear it don’t matter how hard I try to hide, Luke always sees straight through my façade.

“Hopefully one day I won’t have to wear a mask, but for now it’s the only way to cover up the pain.” I wring my hands together to try to stop them from shaking. “But why am I telling you any of this? You see right through me already. You get it.” I shrug with a pathetic smile. He pulls my hand across the table to him, bringing it up to his lips as he feathers a light peck across my knuckles. My breathing hitches as his lips graze the back of my hand, and he notices. He smiles a wicked grin, and releases a hearty chuckle as I pull my hand into my lap.

“Friend zone. I get it. Sorry. I just wanted to see you genuinely smile. It won’t happen again.” He mutters across the table.

“It’s okay.” I smile sincerely. Luke knows he affects me, but he knows it’s just not enough.

The bell over the door dings, and I look away from him briefly to see Savannah walking in. She stops in the doorway, shaking the snow from her hair before she walks to the table. “Sorry I’m late. I swear I’ll be late for my own funeral.” She says quickly, sitting down beside Luke. He turns to greet her and they both still, gazing at each other silently. I clear my throat snapping them both back to reality.

“Luke Ashton.” He reaches out to take her hand, but Savannah doesn’t move, she’s frozen to the chair, gaping back at Luke behind wide eyes. “You alright there, honey?” Luke asks her. She stares back at him for a moment before smiling brightly at him, then reaching her hand out for him to shake.

“I sure am. Savannah Moore. You’re Mr. Bad Ass Biker Guy.”

Oh. Hell. No. She. Didn’t. Just. Say. That.

Yes, she did! I kick her under the table and she lets out a yelp. Luke tosses his head back and laughs at her comment, which earns her another swift kick in the shin. Bitch. She shoots me a questioning look, to which I shrug.

“Mr. Bad Ass Biker Guy? Didn’t know you had a nickname for me, beauts. I think I like it. You plannin’ on callin’ me that all the time now?”

“Keep up with the ego, and it’ll be Mr. Dick Face.” I sneer.

“Carly, I swear I don’t know where you find these devilishly sexy men, but if I ever leave Josh, I’ll be raiding your man candy dish.”

“Oh gross, Savannah, really. I’ve obviously already slept with the man, and you’re married.”

“While I’m flattered at the compliment, can y’all stop talkin’ ‘bout me like I’m not here?” Luke interjects with a look of seriousness. Savannah covers her mouth with the palm of her hand to hide the small giggles that are escaping her lips.

“Sorry.” We both tell Luke in unison. Before he can reply, Tabby is at the table ready to take our orders.