Page 152 of Stay With Me

“No? Because I’ve heard lots of women dig single dads.” He waggles his brows, and I know he’s messing with me.

“I swear to God, you’re intolerable. You’re gettin’ worse than Landen.”

His bemused expression drops. “Hey, no need to insult me now.”

“Magnolia Sutherland?”

I pop out of my chair and turn toward the ultrasound tech. She greets me with a smile and Tripp follows me toward her.

“Hi,” I say nervously.

“Hi! I’m Ginny, and I’ll be doing your ultrasound today.” She points down the hall. “The room’s down here.”

We walk behind her and my nerves start to get the best of me. Although I’m excited, I’ve been reading horror stories of pregnancies gone wrong and miscarriages.

“Is this y’all’s first baby?” she asks as we enter the room.

“Uh…yeah. First one.”

“Well, congratulations! Don’t worry, I’ll walk you througheverythin’.” She’s cheerful and sweet, which I appreciate, but inside, my stomach is doing somersaults.

“That wand is going where now?” I blink as she explains a transvaginal ultrasound.

She reiterates what she told me about not being far enough along for a regular ultrasound so they do a vaginal one to get a better look, but there’s no way that mammoth is going to fit up there.

“It’s scarier than it looks,” she says.

“I told her the same thing when she had a similar reaction to me the first time,” Tripp blurts.

Oh my God. I’m going to murder this man.

Before I can, Ginny bursts out laughing. “That’s funny. Already comin’ in with the dad jokes.”

“Oh, he’s not?—”

“I have the next seven months to come up with more,” Tripp cuts me off, and I shoot him a death glare.

“I’ll let ya change into your gown and be back in a few to get started. Don’t use the bathroom until after because a full bladder helps us see inside the uterus better.”

“Wait, so you’re gonna shove that between my legs while I have to pee?”

Speaking of, I’m already fighting gravity to keep it in there.

“Yeah, I’m sorry. I know it’s uncomfortable, but as soon as I get the baby’s measurements, if you really need to go, you can let a little out before I grab some photos.”

A little?Once I start, there’s no stopping it.

“Okay, thank you.”

“Be back in a few.”

Once the door closes, I let out a breath.

“Sunny, are you okay?”

“I have to pee,” I say urgently, rushing to the bathroom.

“No! You can’t.” He quickly blocks the door. “You have to hold it.”