Page 87 of Seduction

“It means it’s not cancer,” Darren replies. “It’s also confined to the left breast at this time.”

“Oh, God.” Ellen presses her palm to her chest, right over her heart, tears brimming in her eyes. I watch the tension from the last few days leave her body, a smile gracing her gorgeous lips. “What is it, then?”

“They’re noncancerous tumors consisting of glandular breast tissue and connective tissue. Some stop growing or reduce in mass on their own, but we can also remove them. However, even after surgery, new ones can form, so I do recommend you get regular mammograms from now on. Even though fibroadenomas are noncancerous, they do increase your risk of developing breast cancer.”

“And the surgery?”

“Since the surgery involves removing breast tissue, it may cause scarring and change the shape of the breast, depending on how much we need to remove. We can work with a cosmetic surgeon on that part.”

“I want the surgery,” she says immediately. “I want it gone.”

“Certainly, but do keep in mind that more could develop.”

“I understand. I’ll deal with that if or when it happens.”

“Okay then, I’ll get everything scheduled. In the meantime, you can head home. I’ll call you with the details.”

“Thanks, Dr. Manning… for everything.”

“No problem, Miss Hunter. I’m just happy it’s not as bad as it could be.”

Ellen squeezes my fingers, turning her gaze to me. “Let’s go home.”

“Yeah, babe.” I pull her to her feet and into my arms, pressing her to my body.She’s going to be fine. “Wait for me in the hallway. I’m going to talk to Darren for a minute.”

“Okay.”

She walks out, closing the door behind her. I drop back in my chair, running my fingers through my hair as I let the relief flow from my body. I couldn’t let her see me like this. I couldn’t let her know how worried I was.

Dragging my palms down my face, I meet Darren’s stare.

“She’ll be okay, Jon.”

“I know, man. I just…. It just hit me how fucking scared I was to lose her.”

“She’s beautiful. You’re a lucky man.”

“I am, but not because of her appearance. She’s a good woman, Darren. I’m even more determined now to hold on to her.”

“So, I should be on the lookout for a wedding invitation soon?” He grins.

“Maybe. We’ll see.” Rising to my feet, I reach out, grabbing Darren’s hand. “Thanks. I owe you one.”

“No need, but I may collect on it anyway.”

“Anytime.”

With a nod of acknowledgment, I leave his office, eager to take my woman home.

“Ready?” Ellen pushes off the wall, smiling brighter than I’ve seen in a while, even before this ordeal.

“I’vebeenready, beautiful.”

***

I’m sitting in a room with Ellen’s family, everyone’s gazes trained on us. Chopper, Nita, and Raven have hopeful looks in their eyes, but Gage is skeptical. Ellen moves closer to me, leaning on me for support. I curl my arm around her shoulder, silently encouraging her to begin.

“Okay, so… I know you all think we were away on some kind of romantic trip, but we weren’t.”