Her Festive Baby Bombshell
“The night we spent together?”
She nodded. “Yes, that. Well, I got a call from my mother’s work. They were taking my mother to the hospital.” She paused, recalling that frantic phone call when life as she knew it had come to a sudden standstill. “I’d never been so scared. I didn’t know what was going on. I just knew an ambulance had been called for my mother. That’s never a good sign.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I...I would have done something.”
She glanced at him. “There was nothing for you to do. Remember, we agreed to stay clear of each other.”
“Even so, I would have been there for you, if you’d have called me.”
Holly shook her head. “I was fine. But thanks.”
“I’m sure you had the rest of your family and friends to keep you company.”
Holly shrugged. “I was fine.”
He arched a brow. “When you said that the first time, I didn’t believe you. And I don’t believe it this time, either.”
“Okay. I wasn’t fine. I was scared to death. Is that what you want to hear?”
“No, it isn’t what I want to hear. But I’m glad you’re finally being honest with me.”
Her gaze met his. “Why? It isn’t like there’s anything between us. At least, not anymore.”
“Is that the truth? Or are you trying to convince yourself that you don’t feel anything for me?”
She inwardly groaned. Why did everything have to be so complicated where Finn was concerned? Why couldn’t things be simple, like her life had been before she’d walked into his office all those weeks ago?
CHAPTER TEN
NOW, WHY HAD he gone and asked her if she had feelings for him?
Finn leaned his head back and sighed. It wasn’t like he wanted to pick up where they’d left off. It didn’t matter that they had chemistry and lots of it. In time, he’d forget about her sweet kisses and gentle caresses. He had to—she was better off without him.
He’d tried having a real relationship once. Talk about a mess. He wasn’t going to repeat that mistake. Not that Holly was anything like Meryl. Not at all.
“Holly—”
The exam room door swung open. The doctor strode in and closed the door behind him. He lowered his reading glasses to the bridge of his nose. His dark head bent over a piece of paper. When he glanced up, his gaze immediately landed on Finn.
“Oh, hello.” The doctor’s puzzled gaze moved to Holly.
“It’s okay. You can talk in front of him.”
The doctor hesitated.
Holly sent the doctor a reassuring smile. “Finn’s the one who insisted on bringing me here, and I just want to show him that he was overreacting.”
“If you’re sure.”
She smiled and nodded.
“Okay then. I have the results back. It’s what I initially suspected. You have morning sickness.”
“Morning sickness? You mean I’m pregnant?” Holly vocalized Finn’s stunned thoughts.
The doctor’s bushy brows drew together. “I thought you knew.”
Holly turned to Finn, the color in her face leaching away, but no words crossed her lips. That was okay because for once, Finn couldn’t think of anything to say, at least nothing that would make much sense.
A baby. We’re having a baby.
Disbelief. Surprise. Excitement. Anger. It all balled together and washed over Finn.
Holly stared at him as though expecting him to say something, anything. But he didn’t dare. Not yet. Not until he had his emotions under control. One wrong word and he wouldn’t be able to rebound from it. And to be honest, he was stuck on six little—life-changing—words.
I’m going to be a father. I’m going to be a father.
Holly turned her attention back to the doctor. “You’re sure? About the baby, that is.”
The doctor’s gaze moved to Finn and then back to her. The question was in his eyes, but he didn’t vocalize it.
“Yes, he’s the father.”
Finn realized this was another of those moments where he should speak, but his mind drew a blank. It was though there was this pink-and-blue neon sign flashing in his mind that said baby.
“I’m one hundred percent certain you’re pregnant.” The doctor’s forehead scrunched up. “I take it you have your doubts.”