“If he gives me a bad rating and ruins my perfect record, I’m going to exact my revenge,” I said.

“Motorcycle over the junk?”

“Worse… Cauliflower steaks for dinner.”

Ward wrapped an arm around my shoulders as he threw his head back and laughed—deep, rich, and unnervingly appealing.

I watched him, waiting for it to turn. Waiting for him to be pissed or annoyed that I’d tried to sneak away. But he didn’t yell or make snide comments. Honestly, he didn’t even look surprised.

“You knew I was going to try to sneak out, didn’t you?”

“Had a hunch.”

“You don’t have to drive me. I’m sure you’ve got better things to do than sit around a doctor’s office.”

“Nowhere else I’d rather be.” His hand slid down to grab my ass. “Unless it’s back in bed with you.”

We have that in common…

When we reached Ward’s driveway, I asked, “Can we at least take your motorcycle?”

I didn’t actually mean it. Unlike Kat, I wasn’t even an accomplished bicycle rider. The idea of balancing on two wheels that were motorized and weaving through traffic was terrifying.

“Fuck no. After Squish is born, we’ll leave them with the brothers and go for a ride.” Another ass grab. “Somewhere secluded.”

There was too much to unpack with all that, and I didn’t have the headspace.

When he opened the passenger door, I reluctantly got in. The worry that’d been building at the back of my mind moved to the forefront and grew with each passing mile. Ward drove with one hand on the wheel and one hand wrapped around my thigh. He didn’t try to force conversation, likely chalking my mood up to nerves about the upcoming appointment.

Which was true. My biggest fear was going for a routine appointment only to hear the worst.

I couldn’t handle any more pain.

But that wasn’t the sole cause of my introspective mood.

Bringing a man with me… I didn’t know how to feel about it. I was irrationally worried that Ward would see the ultrasound or even just the signage in the office, and it would become too real for him.

Beyond Ward, there was everything I felt. Scared. Heartbroken. Mad. Guilty. Guilty for not feeling guiltier.

Like I was a bad mom already and my baby wasn’t even born yet.

The navigation took us most of the way, but I directed Ward through the medical complex maze. He pulled up to the entrance. “I’ll park and meet you inside.”

I tried one last time. “You don’t have to come in. I can just text you when I’m done. Or I can Uber home.”

His blue eyes studied me. There was no anger. No annoyance. “Do you want me to stay out here?”