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“I saw him on the patio. I’ll text him to come out to my car, then you can get in and talk to him.”
I nod, feeling sweat trickle down my back despite the mild evening temperature.
Mia sits in her car. Hudson looks out at the parking lot, waves at her, then holds up a finger. He speaks to his brothers then walks over to her car. I wait a minute to make sure Hawk and Hunter aren’t looking, then I get out of my car and move quickly to hers, getting in the back seat.
Hudson turns, looking between Mia and me. “What’s this about? Wait, who needs medical advice?”
I hold his stare. “You’re bound by law not to talk about anything I say, right?”
“That’s right.”
“I have a problem, and I need your help.”
He cracks a slow smile. “There are antibiotics for that.”
Well if that isn’t a lovely reminder of how the Montanas and the McQuaids aren’t exactly friendly. The feud that divided this town a hundred years ago still exists today. You’re either Team Calloway or Team McQuaid. And the Montanas are Team Calloway. Somehow, regardless of the fact that Mia is a Cruz and Cruzes are Team McQuaid, we’re still best friends and always will be.
Mia hits him in the arm. “Don’t be an asshole.”
Hudson must key in on my total lack of reaction to his jab, not to mention my red-rimmed eyes and all-around shitty demeanor. His smile falls. “What’s up, Allie?”
I briefly look down as I say the words. “I’m pregnant.”
He raises a brow. “Congratulations?”
The way he says it lets me know he understands this isn’t exactly a happy occasion.
“But seriously, why the clandestine meeting? There are a hundred OBs you could go to within thirty miles. Why me?”
“Because you can be discreet. And because you deal with high-risk.”
“What makes you think you’re high-risk?”
I close my eyes and swallow, barely able to get the words out. “I had a baby once.”
“You…” I don’t need to see his reaction. I can hear the surprise in his voice. “Okay, well obviously not many people know that. Did you give it up for adoption?”
I shake my head, open my eyes, and stare right at him.
He’s a doctor. He can read between the lines.
He sighs. “Shit. What was it?”
“Chromosomal abnormality.”
His entire attitude changes. He’s in full doctor mode now, displaying all the empathy Dr. Miller did when she was my doctor. “Which one?”
I can hardly say it. “Trisomy 18.”
He sighs again. A deep, almost painful sigh. “I’m sorry, Allie. I had no idea.” His eyes flutter to my stomach. “But you know the odds—”
“I know the odds, Hudson. I still have to find out anyway. Before I tell anyone. I need the blood test. The one that checks for all that stuff.”
“The NIPT. Sure, we can do that. But you should be at least ten weeks along first. If you just found out—”
“I’m more like thirteen. Well, almost. I went to a clinic in the city. They did an ultrasound and found a heartbeat.”
He nods. “I’m sure I can work you in tomorrow. I can bring you in through the back.”