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“Here are your options. Go in by yourself and I’ll wait here, then drive you home. Or I come in with you and hold your hand.”
Oh Jesus, she looked like she was going to cry. “You can come in, if you want.”
“No. I come in ifyouwant.”
Turning away from me, she stared out the windshield for a long moment, rubbing her thumb on the back of her hand in agitation. It took everything in me not to reach out and cover her hands with my own, to try to ease the tension coiled tight insideher. But I figured that would make it worse, since she probably didn’t want me touching her right now. So instead, I balled my hands into fists and waited as patiently as I could.
Finally, she turned back to me and I was relieved to see she looked much calmer. “I would like you to come in with me.”
“Let’s go then.”
CHAPTER 18
Scarlett
I’d had the day from hell, no doubt about it. My morning appointments had run late. I’d dropped sauce on my favorite top and had to rush home to get changed before driving the one hour to Jacksonville. The last thing I’d needed was for my car to give it up. Personally, I was at least halfway down the road to Breakdown Town myself as I was walking into Jacksonville.
Rhett couldn’t have come by at a worse time.
I still hadn’t got my head around the whole situation enough to acknowledge the reality of it. And I’d taken Cassidy’s advice and decided to have everything checked out before telling Rhett. Guess that ship has sailed and there was nothing I could do about it now.
When he put his hand on the small of my back as I walked through the door into the medical center, I actually felt grateful that he was there with me.
I handed the receptionist my insurance card and tried to keep my hands from shaking as she slid a clipboard with forms acrossthe counter. “Have a seat and fill these out, Ms. Wright. The doctor will be with you shortly.”
Rhett took the clipboard from me and guided me toward the waiting area. As we settled into the uncomfortable plastic chairs, he flipped through the pages, studying the questions.
“Don’t worry about the paperwork for a few moments.” His voice was soft, soothing. “Just focus on taking some deep breaths.”
I nodded mutely, too anxious to protest. I closed my eyes and concentrated on the rise and fall of my chest, willing my racing heart to slow. Whatever came next, at least I didn’t have to face it alone. Let’s not think about how weird it was that Rhett was the calming presence I needed right now.
After a few moments, I didn’t feel much better, but these forms weren’t going to fill themselves out. Holding my hand out, I said, “Here, I can do it.” The pen felt like a lead weight in my hand as I stared at the seemingly endless stack.
Each question felt like a probe into the most personal parts of my life, and my mind raced with anxiety, trying to recall dates and details.
With his arm on the back of my chair, Rhett leaned over, his eyes scanning the pages. “Height, five foot six. Weight…”
“Watch yourself.”
Oh, he was quite cute when his eyes crinkled at the corners like that. “One hundred twenty pounds.”
“Jesus, how did you know that?” Something flashed in his eyes, letting me know he was about to say something crude, so I hastily said, “Forget I asked.”
It was enough to lighten my anxiety so that I could fill out the rest of the forms. Then Rhett took the clipboard from me. “So, what’s the go today?” He scanned the information booklet. “Right. You’re going to have an ultrasound wand inserted in your…”
“In my what?”
“Va jay jay.”
I nearly burst out laughing. “Just say vagina, jeez.”
“Well, it’s awkward.”
“You had no problems with it when you were sticking your pee pee in there.”
Even with all the stress of the situation, the sound of his deep, rumbly chuckle skittered over my skin.
I almost jumped when a firm voice called from across the room, “Scarlett Wright?” Turning, I saw a woman in a white coat, her name tag reading “Dr. Emily Morris,” standing in the open doorway of an office.