Gabriel.
That word spoken from his lips causes my skin to break out in goosebumps and my heart rate increases. Taking in a slow deep breath, I collect myself and turn around. My blue eyes lock with his rich, dark brown ones and for one second I forget about my broken heart.
"Gabriel," I speak in a soft tone.
His eyes soften and he steps closer. He smells so good. My eyes fall to his lips. I remember the taste of his kiss like it was only yesterday. Just as his lips part slightly, as
if to say something, my phone rings bringing me back to reality. Blinking, I pull my phone from my back pocket I see it’s Sam calling me. Perfect timing.
Swiping the screen, I lift it to my ear and stare into Gabriel’s eyes as I speak, "Hey, Sam." I say with a fake smile and watch Gabriel’s face morphs into one of anger before he storms away with his fists clenched at his sides.
He’s the one who made the choice that there would be no us. He made that clear a little more than two months ago. What right does he have to be angry?
"You have no idea how glad I am you called just now." I confess.
"Why is that?" Sam replies, concern laced with his words.
"I just had a brief run-in with Gabriel."
"What did he do?"
"Nothing. It’s what I almost did. Sam, that man is my biggest weakness. I need to get back to Bozeman."
"Tomorrow isn’t that far away. It’s a small town. It was bound to happen," he tells me. "Anyway, I wanted to check in on you. You still have that appointment this week? I want to make sure I can be there with you—for you."
"Yeah, it’s this coming Friday."
I walk to the front of the store scanning the vast area for any signs of a broody six-foot-four Cuban. Glancing down at the basket in my hand, I realize I forgot the ice cream and head back there and quickly grab it. After paying for my things, I walk out of the store and climb into the car. The whole ride home is quiet except for the music playing on the radio. Did Bella see him walk inside? Did she see him walk out? She seems to be deep in thought. My sister and I have a deep bond. I’ve got the feeling she is really struggling with the fact I’m not sharing something with her. I reach over, grabbing her hand. She inhales deeply before releasing her breath and squeezes mine in response. All this is set aside as we spend the rest of the evening sitting in front of the TV eating cake out of the pan and ice cream straight out of the carton.
On Friday I’m sitting in the waiting room at the women’s clinic waiting to see Dr. Linda Turner for my first prenatal checkup with Sam sitting beside me, but wishing it were Gabriel instead. Not that I’m not grateful to have Sam by my side—I am. I just can’t stop thinking about the run-in I had with Gabriel at the store this past weekend.
"Miss Jameson," The nurse calls from the open door that leads to the exam rooms in the back. I get up from my chair and nervously follow her into a room with Sam right behind me. After being given a plastic cup and making a trip to the restroom, she instructs me to undress from the waist down and gives me a sheet to cover myself with. Once the nurse leaves Sam turns around giving me privacy until I’m seated on the exam bed.
"They have to do a pelvic exam. You can step out for that part." I instruct him.
It doesn’t take long, maybe fifteen minutes, before Dr. Turner is walking through the door. She’s an older lady with kind blue eyes and short graying hair.
"Miss Jameson, how are you today?" she greets me with a warm smile that helps to ease my nerves a bit.
"I’m doing okay."
"Oh, I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you sitting there, young man," she says when she closes the door and notices Sam sitting in the chair just behind it in the corner.
"Well, it’s confirmed. You’re pregnant. And from the calculations you gave us you are right at eight weeks, giving you a due date of April 7th. We are going to do a quick exam on you. Would you like your beau to stay for that?"
"Oh, no, we’re not together. He’s my friend. He’s going to step out for this part," I explain.
Sam stands and leaves the room. The exam doesn’t take long, but before she lets him back in her kind words make this whole experience less stressful.
"It’s good that you brought support today. Pregnancy can be overwhelming. I see my share of young mothers-to-be come in here, and I can tell you’re going to do just fine dear," she says patting me on my leg before she walks towards the door. I’m slipping my shoes back on when Sam walks back in the room.
"Okay, we’re done here for today." The doctor says handing me a prescription for prenatal vitamins. "I’ll see you back here in four weeks. That’s when we’ll get our first look at the baby," she smiles.
"Do you have any questions for me?"
Honestly, right now I can’t think of one. I’ve been reading up on everything I could get my hands on as soon as I found out I was pregnant. I shake my head no.
"Okay, they’ll have a folder full of other information you may need at the front desk along with your appointment date and time. If you think of anything or have any questions you can call and I will be happy to talk to you."