Precious Lace(25)

"Yea, but you didn't know what you were missing then."

"What was I missing?"

"The most beautiful man on the planet who would move heaven and earth for you, for one," she said.

"And who drives me straight up the wall, for two." I smiled.

Just then a pounding hit Cate's door.

"I know who that is." I frowned.

"Do you want me to get it?" she offered.

"No, I need to talk to him. Thanks for offering to face the beast though." I smiled at her before getting up to answer the door.

"What the fuck, Eva?"

"Hello to you too" I rolled my eyes.

"Don’t be smart. Why didn’t you meet me? I was worried when you didn't show up. You can't keep doing that. Do you know what was running through my head?"

"I’m sorry," I deadpanned.

"Why didn't you show up?" He clenched his jaw in anger. A small piece of me wanted to run my hand along the sharp right angle, tuck my nose into his neck and inhale his sweet fresh scent.

"I did. I ran into Madeleine at the elevator." I pressed my lips together to maintain a sense of control.

"Oh."

"Yeah, oh. I don't want to do this now, Carter. I'm so tired. I just need time and I think you do too. I'm staying here tonight." I tried to close the door but he stopped it with a firm hand.

"You're not shutting me out." His eyes blazed with fury.

"I’m not. I'm just shutting the door. I'm giving us both the break we need. I'll be in touch."

"Eva," he sighed and his eyes pleaded with mine, for what I wasn't sure.

"Look, Carter. Clearly you needed a break last night and you took it. I'm taking one now."

"But we were still in the same house, Eva. I didn't leave." His voice wavered on the last word.

"I’m not leaving. I'm having a sleepover with Cate. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Eva, I hate this," he whispered.

"Me too, Carter." I held his gaze. "Tomorrow." I slowly closed the door on his sad steely blue eyes.





Ten





"Are you sure you don't want me to go with you to the doctor appointment?" Cate watched me from the kitchen island as I searched for my phone and purse.

It had been two days since Carter and I had spoken at Cate's front door. We texted back and forth briefly the previous day and he'd asked me to come home. I'd told him not yet. He had taken it surprisingly well, for Carter.

My first appointment wasn't scheduled for another week, but they'd called at the last minute and offered me a cancellation in less than an hour so I was scrambling to get ready and make it on time.

"Are you sure you don't want to call Carter?" Cate frowned.

"No, its okay. It's just confirmation of the pregnancy anyway, it's too early for anything good. I'm sure he's busy at work anyway." I slipped my shoes on.

"Okay, see you later, lady." She smiled as I bustled out the door.

A short while later I was waiting in the lobby of the doctor's office twisting my fingers nervously. Maybe I should have called Carter, or at least brought Cate with me. What if there was bad news today? So many things could go wrong early on, and with my history my mind was now racing a million miles an hour with all of the terrible things that could happen. I had been under so much stress the past few weeks, surely that wasn't a good thing.

"Evangeline Austin?" the nurse called from the open door. I smiled and made my way to her. After weighing me and taking my vitals she left me with my rampant running thoughts as I waited to see the doctor. God, I didn't want to be here and I did not want to be alone. My heart knocked around in my chest and my palms were sweaty.

After what seemed like an eternity, the door creaked open and soft steps entered the room. I heaved a sigh and cast my eyes up to meet the only man I'd wanted in the room with me from the beginning.

"Carter." Tears sprang to my eyes and I stood and wrapped my arms around his neck.

"Hey, baby," he whispered in my ear and rubbed my back.

"How did you know?"

"Cate called me." He pulled away and gave me a soft lopsided grin. "Are you okay?" He guided me back to the table and sat me down.

"Yes. I'm just nervous. I'm so afraid with my history…" The tears poured over and ran down my cheeks in a torrent. "I’m afraid something bad could have happened."

"No, baby. No, everything is going to be okay. This baby is a miracle. Everything will be perfect." He held me and rubbed my back.

"I’m so glad your here," I whispered into his chest

"Me too, Eva. I love you so much. I know when you told me I didn't react well, I was just so surprised…" he trailed off.