Chapter 6
He looked genuinely confused by the question.
“You write it on the paper calendar in your studio.”
“You go into my studio?”
“I stand at the door.”
“Why?”
His eyes met hers.
“To see you.”
The answer was so simple that she had no defense ready.
“You never say anything.”
“You look peaceful when you work.”
“So you just stand there?”
“Sometimes.”
“How often is sometimes?”
Dr. Monroe cleared her throat.
“I’m fascinated too, but perhaps we can save the marital archaeology until after the blood test.”
Twenty-eight minutes later, the doctor returned carrying a laboratory report.
Naomi knew before she spoke.
Maybe because Adrian stopped pacing.
Maybe because Dr. Monroe’s expression softened.
“Naomi, the pregnancy test is positive.”
Silence.
“Approximately seven weeks based on your dates. Your numbers look appropriate, but because of the vomiting and dizziness, I’d like to check hydration and perform an ultrasound.”
Seven weeks.
The gala.
The kiss.
The note.
Naomi stared at the paper.
Beside her, Adrian sat down heavily.
She had never seen him do anything heavily. Every movement he made was normally precise.
Now he looked as if someone had removed the bones from his body.
“Are you all right?” Dr. Monroe asked.
Naomi laughed once.
It sounded dangerously close to crying.
“I was supposed to get divorced thirty minutes ago.”
The doctor pulled a chair closer.
“This changes your medical circumstances. It does not automatically change your marital decision.”
Naomi looked at Adrian.
He was watching the floor.
Not her.
Not the report.
The floor.
“What are you thinking?” she asked.
His gaze rose.
There was terror in it.
Not triumph.
Not possession.
Terror.
“That I don’t know what I’m allowed to say.”
It was perhaps the most intelligent thing he had ever said to her.
The ultrasound room was dim and cool.
Naomi lay back while the technician adjusted the monitor.
Adrian stood near the wall until Naomi looked at him.
“You can come closer.”
He did.
A tiny image appeared.
Then came the sound.
Fast.
Insistent.
Impossible.
The heartbeat filled the room.
Naomi’s breath caught.
Something inside her broke open.
Her hand moved instinctively.
Adrian reached toward it and stopped.
May you like
“May I?”
She stared at him.
