Fall for You (Flirting with Forever Book 4) Page 15

  “Liam, I don’t know if that’s a good idea. To be honest, I’m very up and down with how I’m feeling, I’ll be busy tomorrow at the bakery, and I have an appointment for Mom with her surgeon on Monday. I—like I said, I just thought you should know.”

  I stiffen, thinking about the upcoming surgery that she’d told me about, knowing that not tutoring is going to cause financial difficulties. I know this is going to probably piss her off, but … “Let me give you the money you would have had for the last two tutoring sessions.”

  “No. That’s not necessary. Look, I have an appointment of my own on Tuesday. I’ll probably be there alone. I haven’t told Mom yet. I don’t want to stress her out before the surgery on Thursday. I just wanted to say, if—if you want to come, you can. But it’s okay if you don’t.”

  My voice is gruff when I say, “Send me the details. I’ll try to be there.”

  She’s pushing me farther away and it hurts more than ever.

  A baby.

  Oh my God, a baby.

  Chapter 30

  Quinn

  I’d left for the bakery just as soon as school let out so that I could help Mom prepare for Heath and Sophia’s cake testing. It’s a big day for them, and the excitement in Sophia’s eyes had me pushing my whole mess aside for a little while. Focus is of the utmost importance. I carefully set matching pieces of each type of cake out on a platter, complete with cute little labels to tell them what they are sampling. Mom and I worked all day yesterday to make sure it was just right for Sophia—and for Heath, of course. I think I know which one they’ll choose, but we’ll see how well I know my friends.

  I’ve known from the beginning of our friendship that she’s amazing, but the way she’s cared for me and checked up on me since Saturday evening shows me everything about how strong our friendship is.

  When the bell above the door jingles, I plaster on a bright smile for our bride and groom. Sophia walks in first, Heath right behind her with a hand to the small of her back. The way he looks at her, even when she doesn’t know he’s watching … well, it’s the stuff romantic dreams are made of.

  “Hey, Quinn. How are you?” Sophia rushes forward, right around the counter to envelop me in a gentle hug.

  “I’m okay. Really. And today is not about me. It’s about you guys.” I pluck the tray of samples off the counter and walk around to one of the tables.

  Setting it down, I turn around to find Heath has his arms out for a hug, too. “Q, it’ll all be okay. You’ll see.” He kisses the top of my head before releasing me.

  “You keep saying that, but I don’t know.” I press my lips together. “All right. Let’s sit down, and I’ll tell you about the cakes.”

  We each take a seat. As we’re about to get started, Sophia frowns. “Where’s Meg?”

  “I sent her home to rest since we close the bakery during tastings.”

  Both Heath and Sophia say, “Oh,” at the same time.

  “We had her pre-op appointment today. Everything is a go for surgery.” I give them a thumbs up, then shift gears, pointing to the various cakes and explaining a little bit about each one.

  As Sophia and Heath work their way through the samples, they keep steering conversation back to me. I get it—and I appreciate their support—but dammit, this is supposed to be a fun day in their wedding planning.

  “Are you nervous about your appointment tomorrow? Have you talked to Liam since Saturday night?” Sophia wrinkles her nose. “Sorry. I know you keep trying to make us focus on cake, but you’re our friend and we’re here to support you.”

  Heath wipes his mouth and points at one of the cakes. “I think that’s the one.” Then he glances over at me. “Seriously, Q. We don’t mind. And we just want to make sure you’re okay.”

  After a deep inhale, I exhale slowly. Tears prick the back of my eyes and my nose stings. “Yes. I’m nervous. No, I haven’t heard from him since Saturday. I don’t even know if he’s coming tomorrow.”

  “He has the date and time?” Sophia’s brow creases when I nod.

  Heath pats my hand where it’s resting on the table. “Not to impose my fiancée on you, but Sophia could go with you if you want her to. She missed out on all this early pregnancy stuff with her best friend back home.”

  My eyes flick to Sophia’s. “Cammie?”

  “Yes. She’s due in June.” She gives me a brief smile and then heads right back into it. “But yeah, I’ll come if you want me to. Just say the word.”

  My eyes fill. This is not how I saw this happening. “Please come with me.” I heave a sigh through a weak grin. “And I’ll put you down for the strawberry cake with vanilla buttercream frosting.”

  Heath gives me a soft smile. “You knew we’d pick the strawberry for Ava before we even walked in.” He winks at me, but then his face takes on a more serious expression. “You’re a good friend to both of us. Let us be there for you now, Q.”

  Sophia stands up and pulls me out of my seat and folds me into another hug. “Whatever happens, you know this baby will be so loved.”

  I nod, overcome with emotion.

  I’m having a baby.

  To kick off Tuesday morning, I throw up in my first period biology class, right into the trash can at the front of the room. The chorus of ew and yucks behind me is definitely not a good start to my morning.

  I excuse myself and cross the hall to Sophia’s room, where she and Heath have planning this period. When I peek my head into their workroom, Sophia shoots out of her chair as soon as she sees my face. “I just got sick right in front of my class.”

  Heath stands and moves past us. “I’m on it.” He jogs out of sight, and his booming voice sounds in my classroom across the hall. “All right, all right, settle down.”

  I tune out, trying hard to calm my racing heart. “As if the rumors already swirling around weren’t enough, now I’ve added fuel to the fire.” I sit on the edge of Sophia’s desk, head in my hands. “And the worst part is that Olivia is in that class.”

  Sophia squats in front of me, looking up into my eyes. “What can I do? Moral support?”

  There are a couple of raps at the door, then a quiet, thready voice asks, “Do you need some Wheat Things, Ms. Lockmore?”

  Sophia and I both startle at the intrusion. Olivia. Oh, shit. She stands there at the doorway to the workroom looking awkward and uncomfortable, but holding out a plastic baggie of crackers.

  Neither of us responds at first, as we’re so surprised to see her. My mouth is dry, and I blink at her a few times. “Yes, please.”

  She comes a few steps into the room and hands them to me. “I’m sorry you still feel sick.” Her forehead creases, a deep line running down the center. “What do you think is wrong?” Her eyes flick between me and Sophia. “I’m sorry. That was really nosy.”

  My eyes slam shut and the hand holding the baggie shakes. Sophia rubs her hand up and down my back. When I open my eyes again, it’s to see Olivia’s lower lip clamped between her teeth. I don’t have children—yet—and I don’t know how I’m supposed to answer her. “I’ll be okay, honey. Thank you for the crackers.”

  She studies my face for a few seconds before giving a little nod and slipping out the door. Sophia and I stare at each other. She’s the first to break the silence. “Holy crap, what a mess.”

  Shoving a cracker in my mouth and chewing slowly, I pull my phone out of my pocket and send a text to Liam.

  Me: I think the rumor mill is about to start again. I threw up in class. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.

  I power down my phone and eat a few more crackers. No way am I going back to class right now.

  Chapter 31

  Liam

  I’d known when Quinn told me the appointment was today that a few things could cause some problems with me getting there in time. When the text came in from her earlier, I knew I couldn’t miss it. She’s struggling with this. Hell, I’m struggling.

  After briefing Stacy on the meeting with a prospective clien
t who may host their son’s college graduation party here, I take off. Thank God for Stacy. She deserves a raise.

  I arrive at the doctor’s office only five minutes after the appointment time Quinn had texted me. My heart thuds hard as I rush into the building, coming to a hard stop at the desk where a stern-looking receptionist sits. I’m a little out of breath when I blurt out, “Quinn Lockmore. She’s here for a four o’clock appointment.”

  One brow goes up and she looks at her computer screen, moving the mouse around. Jeez, she’s taking her sweet time about it. Finally, she looks up at me over her reading glasses. “Have a seat. There will be someone out to get you in a few minutes.”

  I look behind me at the seats. A few are already full, including one occupied by a hugely pregnant woman. My eyes widen as they lock on her protruding stomach. I rub my hand over my cheek. Am I sweating? I think I’m sweating. The woman gives me an odd look, and I realize I should probably explain myself. “I’m sorry. My girlfriend is back there. Pregnant. I haven’t seen her since she told me over the weekend. I’m nervous.” Fuck. Nervous doesn’t even cover it. I’m a goddamn lunatic.

  When the door opens around the corner, I lean forward expecting to see a nurse, but it’s Sophia, and she’s motioning to me to follow her.

  My legs move even though my brain is trying to wrap my head around all of this. “Is she okay? She was sick.”

  Sophia stops next to an exam room. She murmurs, “She’s okay. It’s just all new to her still. The sick was your standard morning sickness, although she’s been pretty stressed out lately with everything going on.” She turns to grab the handle to let us into the room when I reach out and touch her elbow.

  “Is she going to be okay with me being here?” I pause, trying to get a grip on myself. “I mean, did she seem like she wanted me to be in there with her?” The gnawing reality that we aren’t together eats away at me again.

  “I think it’ll be fine. Come on. They are getting ready to look for the heartbeat on an ultrasound, since there’s a bit of confusion as to the conception date.” Sophia’s eyes twinkle at me. “I don’t know if anyone’s said it yet …”

  “What?”

  “Congrats, Daddy.” She stifles a giggle, gives me a quick wink, and turns the handle.

  Daddy. Right. I haven’t been called Daddy in years. I follow, not sure what to expect. After all, it’s been seventeen years since the last time I did this. When I walk into the exam room, every other concern falls away. All I see is Quinn. I’m at her side in no more than the time it takes my heart to rocket around inside of my chest three times.

  I barely hear the doctor when she suggests to Sophia that they give us a minute. My whole focus is on this beautiful, strong woman in front of me. I pull her body to mine, and she buries her head against my chest. And then this woman, who I’d assumed had all of this under control, trembles in my arms. Behind my rib cage, a vise clamps down on my heart. Hard.

  Quinn finally lifts her head and gives me a tentative smile. “Hi. I wasn’t sure you were going to make it.”

  “I’m sorry I’m here late. I had some stuff I had to get covered before I could get away.”

  She nods, sucking her lips into her mouth, her eyes casting down.

  I don’t want her to think for even a second that this isn’t right where I want to be. I lift her face to mine, my fingers gentle under her chin. “I wouldn’t miss this. Not for the world, sweetheart. Not for the world.” I lower my mouth to hers, kissing her softly before I press my forehead to hers. I don’t give a flying fuck if she assumes our relationship is over. This baby has other plans. “At the same time, I can’t believe this is happening.”

  She rakes her teeth over her lower lip, then scrunches her nose. “I know. It’s so crazy. But—”

  “It feels right, Quinn. It really does.” I cup her cheek and slide my thumb back and forth over her cheekbone. “I’m just not sure how we handle this with Olivia.”

  She nods. “I know. And now that I’ve tossed my cookies in front of a classroom full of students, there are more rumors churning. I don’t think there’s any stopping it. I spoke with our assistant principal. He was glad I’d brought it up, but he’s not sure what to do since social media these days is such a wild, untamed animal.” She looks into my eyes. “Your sweet girl brought me crackers after I got sick.”

  My brows go up. “Really.” I huff out a breath.

  “Yep. I think she suspects.”

  I nod, swallowing past the hard lump in my throat.

  “You know we can’t keep this from her.”

  “I know.” Damn small-town living. If I don’t tell her, someone else will.

  My heart had been so damn full at Quinn’s appointment. When we heard that fluttering heartbeat, so fast and so strong, my own heart had skipped a beat and then melted right inside my chest. Like I’d told Quinn, this feels right.

  The problem? Quinn is stubborn. She insists that our relationship is still squarely on hold. On one hand, I understand. She’s concerned for Olivia. And don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the hell out of that. In fact, it just makes me want her more, makes me know that she’s the one. But on the other, she’s having my baby, dammit. I don’t want to be apart from her. I want to take her home with me. I want her to be with me. She wasn’t having any of that, though. It’d been like a switch flipped once I brought up the idea of us. She’d been fine during the whole appointment talking about the baby … but the minute our relationship came up, she’d put an end to the conversation.

  To make matters worse, Olivia’s been seriously moody ever since I got home. I grunt, pissed off, but trying to hide it as we sit down to eat dinner. I side-eye her from where we are seated at the kitchen island. “Do you have homework to do tonight?”

  Olivia gives me an indifferent shrug. “Always.” She picks up her bottle of water and takes a quick sip.

  “And how’s the biology grade coming along?” I cringe as soon as I say it.

  She smirks at me, seeing I’ve made myself uncomfortable. “Well, now that Mom took away my tutor because you were busy getting her pregnant, I’ll probably fail the next test.”

  My brows shoot to my hairline. “How did you—Who …?” I blink a few times, caught completely off guard and unprepared for this conversation. I heave out a deep breath. “I guess I should tell you that’s where I was today.”

  “Where?”

  “I was at an appointment with Quinn.”

  “So it’s true. I just took a guess.” Her eyes narrow on me, hand fiddling with her fork. She studies me, and I wish I could say I knew what is going through that head of hers, but I don’t.

  I suppose I’d better just be open with her and ask. “It is. What do you think about that?”

  “Will she move in with us?” She out-and-out stabs some macaroni with her fork before shoving it into her mouth. She focuses on chewing while her eyes silently accuse me—of what, I’m not sure.

  That she’d go there first—directly to whether Quinn would live here—throws me for a loop. Teenage brains are just wired differently, I think. “What? No. In fact, we aren’t actually together right now, so I don’t know how we are handling any of this.” I run my hands through my hair.

  “Why?”

  Ah, shit. “Why, what?”

  She gives me the duh face before answering me with an expanded question. “Why aren’t you together?”

  I gaze steadily at her, unable to answer because I don’t know how she’ll react.

  Slowly, she slides off of the stool. Quietly, she whispers, “I see. It’s because of me,” as she passes behind me on the way to the staircase.

  “No.” Ugh. I spin toward her. “O. Come back here so we can talk.”

  “That’s okay, Dad. I hear you.” She runs up the stairs as fast as her legs will take her.

  Her mood has shifted so quickly, I swear I have whiplash.

  Chapter 32

  Quinn

  Mom’s surgery is scheduled for first
thing tomorrow morning. I’m in the middle of grading papers at my desk and pulling together sub plans after school when I hear a soft knock on the open door. To my surprise, Olivia stands there, an odd look on her face, and gives me a little wave.

  I take a deep breath before the words tumble from my mouth, “You know I’m not supposed to tutor you anymore, right? I’m sorry I didn’t say anything to you about it. I thought you knew.” I understand Becky’s decision, but that doesn’t make this any less embarrassing to discuss with my student.

  My child’s half sister.

  Oh. My. God. I swallow. I hadn’t thought of it like that yet.

  She shakes her head. “No. I know.” She glances down at her yellow Converse, hands gripping the straps of her backpack more tightly. “I was just hoping you had a few minutes to talk.” She sighs as she points to my desk. “You look kind of busy, though. It’s okay. I can go.” She turns to leave, her shoulders drooping.

  “Olivia? Wait.” I don’t know what this is about, but it must be important to bring her here after everything that’s happened in the last week.

  She tentatively walks through the doorway, and when I get a closer look at her, I can see she’s close to tears. It just about rips my heart out. I swallow carefully. “What do you want to talk about?”

  Olivia drops into the chair on the other side of my desk and wiggles free from her backpack. She inhales as she looks me in the eye. Her fingers hurry to wipe away a tear from below her eye before it has a chance to break free and run down her cheek. Her voice starts out shaky. “I—I’d been wondering for a while why my dad had been so happy lately. I mean, I wasn’t sure when we moved here how things would go with him opening the cider mill and me starting a new school. Mom said it might be tough for a while, but I was absolutely sure about moving here with him.” She sniffs a little and catches her lower lip between her teeth for a second. Her gaze drifts around my workroom, anywhere but at me. I watch her carefully; I think she’s considering what else to say, and I just hope she isn’t on the verge of a meltdown. Interestingly enough, though, she brightens as she meets my eyes to continue. “But everything has been fine. Except me being a goofy, boy-crazy girl and messing up my science grade.” Glancing up, she gives me a weak smile. “But like you said, that’s fixable. And I do intend to make sure I do that, even if you can’t work with me.”