One night stand with my daddy's best friend
16

Chapter 16 Liam

I prodded the logs in the fireplace. They hissed and popped, their orange flames burning brighter. I added two more logs and they turned fiery red.

Satisfied, I made my way to the kitchen and grabbed a corkscrew and a bottle of wine. I popped the cork and filled a glass with the dark liquid.

Back in the living room, I opened a book and settled before the fire. It crackled, sending warmth and light across the area.

Perfect.

Except for the empty spot next to me. We'd only been together for a few days, but I wanted to share every moment with Ava.

She was at her dad's tonight and that was one engagement I wouldn't want her leaving for me. He was special to her. Each time he came up in conversation, her eyes glowed with adoration.

I smiled and grabbed my phone. It was a few minutes before nine o'clock. I calculated when she would be back home so I could call and hear her voice. That was all I'd be getting tonight.

I scoffed at myself. I never cared for anything much outside of work, but now? Ava filled my every waking thought.

If wanting her so much was wrong, then I'd deal with the punishment. I could do nothing else.

With a sigh, I relaxed on the couch and raised the book. Getting lost in the latest murder mystery should afford me some distraction until I spoke with her again.

I picked up from where I'd left off the last time, bringing my glass to my lips.

A knock rattled the front door.

I shot off the sofa, my eyes going to the front of the house. I felt something wet on my feet.

I'd spilled my drink.

Thankfully, it didn't get on the book.

The knock sounded again. This time it was longer, more insistent.

I set both book and glass aside and hurried to the door. Whoever it was on the other side better need something important.

Before the next round of banging could come, I opened the door.

My eyes fell on Ava first, then on my friend. I blinked rapidly. Weren't they at his house, having dinner? What was going on?

"Thomas, Ava, what's going on?"

My racing heart calmed. And my eyes focused long enough to catch the sweat shining on Ava's forehead. She leaned heavily against Thomas, who had an arm snaked around her waist. His worried eyes met mine. "Liam." His tone was impatient.

Did he know something? Had she told him what was going on between us?

My heart started beating into my throat. I raised both hands. By the look

on his face, I wasn't getting out of this unscathed. "Thomas, I can explain."

He tore past me. "What? Ava's ill. You have to help her." "I'm fine," Ava croaked in response.

The tone of her voice startled me. And her breath was labored and short.

I shut the door, forgetting everything I assumed. Their visit clearly had nothing to do with me.

"You're not fine." Thomas gritted out. "She's not." He faced me with Ava still hanging on. "Can you help her?"

The look in his eyes made sense now. He was troubled.

I drew closer to them and took in Ava's pale features. "What happened?" "We were just having dinner. Things were going great, until we finished,

and Ava stood up. She nearly fainted." "I must have slipped."

"You didn't." His eyes met mine again. "She almost collapsed." "Dad, I'm okay now. If you just "

"Don't listen to her. She can't even stand on her own." "I can." Ava pried herself away from her dad. "See?"

It lasted two seconds before she dropped onto the sofa cushion. Thomas cursed and my chest tightened.

"You see?" Thomas pressed. "Take a look at her, please?"

I pushed around Thomas to where Ava sat, kneeling before her. "Ava?"

She peeled her hands from her face and looked at me with wide brown eyes. Her usual spark had dulled and she blinked slowly.

Fuck.

My training and years of working under stress taught me not to panic. No matter how close she was to my heart, I needed to maintain my composure and a clear head. "Keep your eyes open for a moment." She tried but they fell shut again.

"What do you think is wrong?" Thomas hovered over us. "Is she okay?" His tense energy was rubbing off on me.

"I can't tell here. It'd be best to take her to an exam room and do a thorough checkup."

"Okay, anything you need." He backed away, watching as I helped Ava

up.

If he wasn't present, I'd have swung her into my arms and cradled her

against my chest. But wrapping my arm around her waist would have to do.

I led her on gently, allowing her to take small steps so I didn't rattle her and make it worse.

"You're doing great, Ava. Just a few steps and we'll be at the clinic, okay?"

I didn't miss how her body leaned against mine and her breathing became steady and calm.

"I'll wait here," Thomas called, reminding me of his presence. "This shouldn't take long," I threw over my shoulder.

The hallway connecting the house to the clinic was mercifully short. Each slow step Ava managed shone the light on her weakened state, and worry crowded in my stomach.

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I wanted to fix what was wrong so she returned to her usual cheery self. It gutted me to see her suffering.

It was dark in the clinic, so I flicked on the lights as we headed to the exam room. We saw only outpatients, and we were closed on Sundays.

But I didn't mind opening for Ava. I was glad Thomas had brought her to me. I would help her in any way I could.

I assisted her onto the exam table. Her hands hit the surface, straining as she settled onto it.

"Can you sit up?"

She nodded, then stopped, pressing a hand to her forehead. "Headache?" It was hard to pry my hands away from her.

"Feeling dizzy," she murmured, then her eyes cracked open. "Wait, no, I'm fine. It's nothing."

"Ava, it's not nothing." I frowned, stepping away.

Why was she so against getting help? Was she worried about Thomas replaceing out about us?

"Your dad's not here. We can talk freely."

Her eyes went to the door. "Yeah, um, I guess."

"We'll check your blood pressure first, okay?" I grabbed the equipment and brought it to her side.

She sat still as I wrapped her arm up, then pumped the device. It took a minute, then the numbers were displayed on the small screen.

My stomach turned liquid. What the fuck?

"What? What is it?" Ava leaned in, looking from me to the monitor. "Your blood pressure is low." Too low. But I wasn't about to frighten her.

I pulled the monitor away and set it aside. "Ava, is this the first time you've experienced dizziness?"

She hugged her arms around herself. "Um, yes." Her eyes wouldn't meet mine.

I swallowed a breath, trying to calm myself. It wasn't unusual for patients to keep certain facts hidden. It was my job to piece together the clues and make a diagnosis.

But this wasn't just any patient. It was Ava. She had no reason to keep anything hidden from me.

Our biggest secret was right here the two of us, together. And the person we should be careful around was out there, not in here with us.

"You need to be open with me, princess." Her eyes met mine, softening.

"Just tell me the truth, okay?" "Okay," she managed.

"So when did you last experience the dizziness?" "A few weeks ago."

I frowned. "Anything else unusual going on with you?"

Her fingers trailed up her thigh and formed a fist close to her hip. "No." "You're sure?"

"I am."

I decided to revisit that question later. "Are you on any medications?" "Vitamins." She cringed. "Forget I said that."

"What kind of vitamins?" She gulped. "It's irrelevant."

"Are they a prescription?"

"Let it go, Liam!" She pressed her hands to her mouth, eyes widening. "I'm sorry. I'm just not feeling well."

I suppressed a sigh. "Fine. We'll leave that for now. Are you taking anything else that could affect your blood pressure?"

"No."

"Have you been drinking enough water?" "Liam." She wiped a hand down her face. "I-”

"I can help you, Ava." I stepped forward, so she could see I meant it. "You just have to be open with me."

True, we had chemistry in spades and I was starting to care for her, but that was not what was going on tonight. I was her doctor here and she needed to trust I'd do what was best for her health. Her throat bobbed and she gazed up at me with teary eyes. "I don't think I can."

My heart clenched. "Look, if you're ill, it's not your fault. Just let me help you."

Needing to touch her and assure her everything would be fine, I ran a thumb over her cheek. Her eyes fell shut and her face pressed against my hand. I cupped her cheek, wanting to give her comfort. Her skin was wet and warm, making me frown. No matter how much I wanted to hold her and help her, I couldn't do so until I got to the root of her problem.

"Ava, can you answer me now, truthfully?"

Her chin trembled and she pulled away from my touch.

"Hey, no need to cry. Just tell me what's been going on and I'll-" "I'm pregnant."

My entire being stilled. I couldn't have heard her right. "What?"

She lifted her face from her behind her hands. "I'm pregnant, Liam." Oh God.

I took an involuntary step back, shock reeling through me.

"Liam, I" A sob cut off her words and she continued to cry, her body trembling.

I wasn't sure what to do with myself. My gaze went to the walls, the ceiling, then back to Ava. How did I not realize this?

My head reeled with jumbled thoughts, trying to make sense of it all. Yet the one thing that clutched at my heart the most, that turned my stomach inside out, was one burning question.

I pulled close to Ava in short cautious steps. My heartbeat echoed in my ears and my body was stiff.

But I needed to know. "Ava?"

Her gaze lifted, face splotchy with tears.

I wanted to hold her, tell her everything would be fine. But damn it, I needed to know.

A fresh wave of tears poured down her face and she nodded to the question in my eyes. "It's yours. The baby is yours."

Fuck.