“Yes, but I only have two or three classes a day. I’m careful,” I assured her.
“Good. If there is ever a day when you aren’t feeling too well, just let me know, and I’ll write up a doctor’s note for you.”
“Okay.” She helped me sit up as she stood. “Thank you.”
“Do you think she’ll be able to carry the baby for the whole nine months?” Cane asked, sounding like my mom.
“Well, with the damage that was done to her uterus before, I wouldn’t suggest carrying the baby for the full forty weeks. Instead, what we’d probably do is induce the pregnancy around the thirty-sixth or thirty-seventh week, to be on the safe side, and to avoid ruptures. But I will say that she looks to be on the right track. The baby is growing well.”
Cane sighed, clearly relieved. “That’s good to know. Thank you.”
“Any other questions for me?” Dr. Maxine asked while washing her hands.
We both shook our heads.
“Okay, then. I will see you guys again in two weeks! Feel free to check out with Stacey up front.”
We thanked her and left, but not without big grins on our faces. Cane walked with me down the hall that led to the lobby, draping his arm over my shoulders. “See what staying positive does?”
I laughed. “Okay, okay. I know.”
He pulled back and grabbed my hand, leading the way to the desk. “How does it make you feel? Hearing the heartbeat?” he asked.
There was only one word that could describe the way I felt in that moment. “Happy,” I told him.
But of course, happiness never seems to last long in my world.
The following day was peaceful. I read a new book and helped Miss Cane bake an apple pie, but then Friday arrived. Cane got home and seemed a little on edge when he came into the room. I’d just gotten out the shower and was still wrapped in a sky-blue towel.
“What’s wrong?” I asked as he paced his way to the closet. He always did that pacing thing when he was bothered.
“We have to have dinner with Eden tomorrow night,” he grumbled.
“What?” I walked into the closet as he snatched off his tie. “Why?”
“She came to the Tempt store today. She approved the banner, but informed me that Mr. Miller wants us to have dinner at his house to celebrate the deal. I know she’s the one who thought of it. She’s trying to fuck with me.”
I frowned a little, keeping my annoyance at bay. God, that woman really had no chill. “Then we’ll go,” I said as he tugged a shirt over his head.
“I don’t want to be anywhere near her, to be completely honest.”
“But in order for you to stay on good terms with a man who is giving you the opportunity to open many new jobs, you have to go. You can’t refuse his hospitality like that, Cane.”
“You know what? The shit that annoys me so much is that she specifically asked that I bring you with me. Not me alone, but both of us. She’s a shady bitch, and I don’t like that shit. She’ll try to get between us, make you feel insecure. I can feel it.”
I pressed my lips together. I couldn’t lie; I did feel a little insecure being in the same room as her. She was beautiful and looked like she could have any man she wanted, but she was fucking with mine. Ugh.
“She won’t get between us,” I said, walking up to him. “We’re stronger than some random ex who thinks she can walk in and twist shit up. She doesn’t know our story or what we’ve been through.” I smirked. “Let’s have some fun with it. Show her how unbreakable we really are.”
Cane smirked at that. “Mmm,” he murmured. “I like this new attitude of yours, little one. If I hadn’t been ordered to keep my cock away from you, I’d be buried so deep inside you right now.” He caught my chin between his fingers as I blushed. “You think you’ll be okay going there tomorrow? It’ll be the last thing you do for a while. I really don’t want you leaving the house much, but since you’ll be with me, it should be fine.”
“I’ll be fine, man.”
“All right.” He dropped a kiss on my lips and pulled his hand away. “Let’s do it then, girl.”
Chapter 13
KANDY
To be completely honest, I was nervous as hell, and it didn’t help that I was feeling queasy and exhausted. I was standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror in our bedroom, studying myself in a peach, knee-length dress. It was perfect for fall, with sleeves and all. I paired it with wedges, but I couldn’t ignore the small bulge at my mid-section. It wasn’t the baby yet—probably more bloat than anything.
“God, I look so gross!” I groaned.