Page 168 of Nine Months to Bear

“Yeah.” My hands shake as I stare at the screen. “They’ve been calling for ten minutes.”

“Answer it.”

“What if?—”

“Answer it, Olivia.” He laces his fingers through my free hand. “Whatever it is, we’ll handle it.”

I swipe to answer just as it starts ringing again. “Dr. Aster speaking.”

“Dr. Aster, this is Dr. Heller from the Mass General board. Do you have a moment to speak?”

My eyes find Stefan’s. He nods, moving closer.

“Yes, of course. Would it be alright if I put you on speaker? My… partner is here.”

“That would be fine.”

I hit speaker as Stefan’s arm belts around my waist. The towel slips slightly, but I don’t care. His touch grounds me, and I get the feeling I’m going to need that for whatever disaster is about to ruin my good morning.

“Dr. Aster…” Dr. Heller’s voice fills the bathroom. “I’m calling with some rather exciting news. The board has made its decision regarding the fertility clinic partnership.”

My heart pounds so hard I’m sure it’s audible through the phone. “Oh! Uh, yeah, oh. Okay.”

“We’d like to offer you the position.”

I actually stumble. Stefan’s arm tightens to keep me upright.

“I… what?”

“The partnership is yours, if you want it. Off the record, I’d say that Dr. Walsh’s recent… public relations difficulties… have made the board reconsider our options. Your reputation for patient care, your innovative approaches, your family legacy in medicine—well, we believe Aster Fertility Solutions is exactly what Mass General needs.”

Family legacy.There it is: the shadow of my mother’s achievements following me even in my moment of triumph.

But for once, I don’t care. The partnership is mine.

“… Dr. Aster?” the woman says. “Are you there?”

“Yes, I’m here. I’m just— This is incredible news.”

“We expect great things from the daughter of Margaret Aster,” Dr. Heller continues. “When can you come in to discuss the details?”

“Whenever you need me.”

“Excellent! We’ll have our legal team draw up the contracts. Congratulations, Dr. Aster. We look forward to working together.”

The call ends. I stare at the phone, not quite believing what just happened.

“Holy shit,” I whisper. I spin in his arms, the towel finally giving up and falling to the floor. “I got it. I actually got it.”

“You got it.”

“Stefan, I—” The magnitude hits me all at once. “Rebecca’s finished. The partnership is mine. My clinic is saved.”

“Your clinic was already saved,” he reminds me with a playful pinch of my butt.

“But this is better. This is everything I’ve worked for.” I throw my arms around his neck, pressing my naked body against his. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me.Youdid this, Olivia.”