“Are you seriously saying that my sister couldn’t have taken care of herself?”
“No, actually, you said that when you alluded to the idea that I had taken advantage of Ashley, therefore implying that she couldn’t take care of herself when she was with me.”
“That’s a stretch.”
“But it isn’t a stretch to assume that someone you don’t even know couldn’t possibly be a good human and only want what’s best for Ashley and the baby? Give me a break. I get it, I’m the unknown who came into your sister’s life and had a part in turning it upside down. However, unless you’re willing to take the time to at least know more than my name and what you’ve learned from an internet search, then back the fuck off and give Ashley and I time to figure this out. She’s a fuckuva lot stronger than you’re giving her credit for.”
I think she could breathe fire for how mad she is at me right now. We’ve only just met and she’s working her lawyer-y ways on me. Sitting across from me, staring me down, trying to throw me off.
Ashley told me that Grace isn’t judgmental about people, and that she might be highly educated but doesn’t think down on those who choose a different path. Something tells me Ashley’s wrong about her sister.
Out of the corner of my eye I see Ashley walking into the living room, glancing back and forth between Grace and me. “Everything okay in here?” Ashley asks timidly.
I peel my eyes away from her, not to give in, but because Ashley deserves my attention far more than Grace does.
“Everything’s great.” I stand up and move to her, kissing her cheek. “You look amazing,” I add, taking in her loose fitted jeans that have a few holes already ripped in the denim and baggy black and white striped sweater. Her boots have a short, wide heel and only go up to her ankles. She doesn’t only look amazing. She also looks adorable.
“Thank you,” she says shyly, dipping her face and tucking a long strand of her beautiful dark hair behind her ear.
“You’re welcome. Good to meet you, Grace. I hope to have that dinner with you and the rest of the family real soon,” I tell her with a smile.
“Sure,” Grace agrees, sounding like she’d rather eat dirt than share a meal with me.
I’m not so easily deterred, though. “Set it up, Grace.”
“You ready to go?” Ashley asks, placing a hand on my arm.
“Absolutely.”
“Grace, are you going home or to the office?” Her voice is so full of hope, it’s almost comical. I have no idea why Grace is here but it’s clear that Ashley’s ready for her departure.
“Not home. Think I’ll just work here for a while today. That way I can talk to you after your appointment.”
“Oh.”
“That’s okay, right? You said I could stay here?” Grace points to where she’s set up a workstation of sorts.
“Yes, it’s fine with me,” Ashley says warily. “Just make yourself at home. Should be plenty of food in the kitchen, but I don’t have much for caffeine. You might need to go somewhere for a good cup of coffee.”
“You’re seriously not drinking caffeine?”
“I’ll have half a cup of coffee if I have a headache or something but otherwise, no.”
“Wow. I’m not sure how you survive,” Grace says. “Be careful and call me after.” She gives Ashley a hug and looks at me over Ashley’s shoulder. It’s not hard to ignore the fact that she’s trying to give me the stink-eye because I honestly don’t care. She’s made up her mind that I’m not trustworthy and I’ll do my best to change it, but unless she’s getting into Ashley’s head with the same junk, then I’m not going to spend my time worrying over it.
“We will,” I answer for Ashley.
Once we’re in my truck on the way to the doctor, she launches in.
“I heard your conversation, you know.”
I smirk. “Figured.”
“She had no right.”
“No.”
“It’s not about you.”
I look over at her and back to the road. “What makes you say that?”
“She found out her husband was cheating on her with a lady from his work and also lost his job because he was sending inappropriate pictures to her.”
I press my lips together and bite my tongue. I want to say something incredibly insensitive right now about not being surprised but that won’t do either of us any good so I keep my mouth shut aside from saying, “That sucks.”
“Yes, it does. It’s also not an excuse to treat you like she did. I’ll talk to her.”
“I can handle it.”
“You shouldn’t have to,” she says sadly.
She’s right about that. “Maybe not,” I agree, reaching over for her hand. I have no idea why I can’t stop holding her hand, but it’s become more than habitual. It’s natural to be holding her hand when we’re together. “But if I have to defend myself or us to her and the rest of your family or anyone else, for that matter, I’ll do it. It’s no one else’s business but our own, anyway.”
“You’re right. It isn’t.”
“Don’t let her words put a damper on getting to hear the baby’s heartbeat today.”
She grins. “You’re right. I’ll try not to.”
“Good. Now, tell me what I’m walking into at the appointment. Will you be getting naked?” I joke. Only, I am curious.
“Ha! You perv. You just want to see me without clothes on again.”
“Damn right, I do.”
She blushes. “I assure you, nothing has changed.”
I make a big show of looking her up and down, focusing on her breasts that have gotten bigger. Not incredibly noticeable, but I’ve paid close attention and have a lot of good memories with her breasts. I remember them fondly. “Well, that’s not exactly true.”
She rolls her eyes. “Oh, shush. You can’t even see anything because of my winter coat.”
“I saw you before you put it on,” I remind her.
“You’re so ridiculous.” She laughs.
“For real, though, do they have to examine you today or do you keep your clothes on?”
“I think since I was examined last time I get to keep my clothes on today. Last time they did all the bloodwork and pelvic exam. This time, they’ll do the regular checkup stuff and listen for the heartbeat against my stomach but I won’t have to strip down for it.”
“Damn,” I joke and she laughs lightly. I pull into the parking lot and find a spot fairly close to the front door. “Nervous?”
“Nope. You?”
“No. I’m more excited than anything. I’ve never heard a baby’s heartbeat before.”
“Me either. A first for both of us!” She kind of cheers.
I help her out of the pickup and we walk into the doctor’s office side by side. She signs in with the front desk and they direct her to sit down and wait for the nurse to call her back.
My leg bobs up and down and I sit up perfectly straight in the hard, stiff chair, my hands on my knees.
“Thought you weren’t nervous?” Ashley mutters next to me.