One night stand with my daddy's best friend
17

Chapter 17 Ava

I wiped my face and managed to halt the tears. Through the droplets stuck on my lashes, I caught sight of Liam's face. His eyes stared unseeing at the plain wall behind me. Okay.

I'd never seen him so rattled before. In fact, it wasn't helping my anxiety at all.

The knots in my stomach grew tighter just watching him. "Liam? Are you okay?"

He blinked, but that was all. Was he even breathing?

I tilted my head to the side. "Liam?"

A muscle ticked in his jaw and his fingers pressed into a fist-the only signs of life from him.

Shit.

Was he was angry?

I swallowed past the ache in my throat.

This wasn't how this announcement was supposed to happen. Given the time, I would have prepared better. Maybe start with, "So, funny story..."

My palms grew sweaty and I wiped them down my thighs. "You know what's funny?"

Liam's eyes snapped to my face.

My cheeks heated and now I was speechless. I didn't expect him to respond so quickly. I had no idea what was funny.

Everything was messed up in the most colossal way.

I just needed him to stop looking like he took a slap to the face that had stunned him into silence.

Familiar gray eyes that usually swirled with emotion pinned me with a blank look.

Shit, Ava, what's funny? Think!

"What are the odds, right? I got pregnant after fooling around with one of my dad's friends just once." Hollow laughter escaped from my lips.

It died off when Liam didn't so much as twitch.

I licked my lips, my insides cartwheeling. "It's a crazy story, huh?" I paused. "Not like I was out spreading the news." Lin's face flashed in my head. "Not to anyone who would tell my dad. I'm not that stupid." Liam's expression had lost some of its edge, awareness returning to his eyes.

"Even if we did tell people, who would believe it? So crazy." I chuckled. Lines formed between his brows.

I raised my hands. "I'm not telling anyone. Definitely not, but..."

Soon, the tiny curve of my stomach would grow bigger and everyone would know-including my dad.

"It will be alright," I finished in a small voice.

I rested my hand on my belly, comforting myself. Everything will be alright.

Liam's gaze dropped to my hand and his eyes blinked rapidly as if making a decision. "Let's look at what we're dealing with."

My body stiffened.

I should've been glad he was speaking at all. But his tone was brisk, like I was just another patient. A random stranger who ended up in his clinic by chance.

Not the woman who just told him we were having a baby together. I sucked in a breath to calm myself. "Yeah, sure."

At least clinical Liam was better than expressionless Liam. "Lean back."

I flattened my hands on the exam table behind me, leaning back. My shirt drifted up and exposed my midriff.

It was strange being in this position in Liam's clinic, instead of in his bedroom.

His eyes traveled up my body and back down. Normally, his gaze on me would cause heat to pool in my belly. But he wasn't looking at me like that.

His hand slipped into the waistband of my leggings and my breath caught. I bit my lip, closing my eyes, not sure what to expect.

"These are too tight." My eyes snapped open.

"You should avoid anything that is constricting." His eyes were fixed on the spot where my waistband met my belly.

"Oh." My face heated. "Okay."

"It could be cutting off your circulation. Inadequate blood flow can cause

low blood pressure." He tugged on the waistband, then shimmied it down.

My body relaxed and a sigh escaped my lips. His brow lifted. He was simply doing his job.

And in an emotionless tone, he went on, "Most people worry about high blood pressure, but having low blood pressure is dangerous, too. Case in point, tonight." Sheesh. I hugged my arms around myself. I hadn't intended to put myself in this situation.

If Liam saw my discomfort, he made no indication. "To help improve your blood pressure, wear looser clothing."

You said so before.

"Eating frequent meals throughout the day, too, will help. And try not to stand up too fast. Thomas mentioned that earlier."

Like I didn't know that already.

"And don't stay out too long in the sun, or in any hot, humid environment."

That, I didn't know.

"Don't stand on your feet for too long."

Wait, how was that supposed to work? I was almost always on my feet at work.

Dr. Cooper continued, "And drink more water." "Are you done?"

My snippy tone went right over his head. "Not quite. We need to monitor your blood pressure, but as long as you take care of yourself, you should be fine."

He reached out a hand and my fingers curled in my lap. Now, surely, was when he'd speak about us. But his hand went to my elbow, as if to help me off the exam table.

He was sending me off.

I yanked my arm back. "That's it?" Liam frowned.

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I jumped off the table and landed on my feet. The solid ground beneath me enforced the emotions rolling through me. All of them morphed into one

anger.

His instructions be damned. Just looking at him cured my low blood pressure. My heart was now hammering away.

"Really? That's it? I just told you we're having a baby and your reaction

is to prescribe me a do-and-don't list, then send me on my way?" His gaze fell. "Ava..."

I pressed closer. "Liam, this is messed up, I know. But I expected some sort of reaction from you. Hell, anything, but this..." I gestured my hands between us, the words dying on my lips. "Don't you have questions? Anything to say? I'm having our baby, for goodness' sake!"

His eyes shot to the door, then back to me. No longer were they blank or indifferently professional. Their gray depths hit me with the force of a tsunami.

I folded my arms across my chest and stood my ground.

"Remember who's in my living room?" He stabbed a finger toward the door. "Your dad. My friend."

"So?"

His eyes bulged. "So, he brought his daughter to me to be treated. His daughter, who he is worried about. His daughter, who I've knocked up."

I pinched the spot between my brows. "Liam, you don't have to—"

"I have to, Ava!" His voice shook. "You're right. This is messed up. But you are wrong about one thing. There's nothing funny about this."

I bit my lip, my anger cooling. An uneasiness grew in my stomach.

His eyes went to the door again and he blew out a breath. "I'm not going to leave your dad sitting out there any longer than need be."

He murmured something about raising suspicion as he breezed past me. The door creaked open.

I spun around. "What are you going to tell him?"

Liam stopped in the doorway, his back ramrod straight. "I'll tell him it's your blood pressure."

Relief swooped through me. Not that I expected him to reveal the truth.

He didn't seem to have come to terms with it himself. "I need time."

I looked up.

"This " his face turned slightly, so I could make out his profile. The muscle in his jaw ticked."—is a lot."

With that, he walked out. The door swung closed behind him.

I could understand that, I guess. But it was no less disappointing. But what had I expected him to do? Jump for joy?

I sagged against the exam table. The dizziness was long gone. But a harrowing emptiness took its place.

I doubted drinking water or wearing loose-fitting clothing could fix this.

If I could hide away forever in the sterile exam room, I would. I didn't want to face my dad or Liam or myself. I just wanted to forget my problems.

But Liam was out there, telling Dad half-truths. I needed to play my part.

And put up a strong front until we could tell the whole truth.

I pulled in a deep breath. Just act normal, Ava.

I made my way out of the clinic and down the hall connecting to the house. I was close to the living room when my dad's voice reached me. My feet halted, breath ceasing. "So, only her blood pressure?" "Yes."

"I'll encourage her to be more careful." Dad paused. "Nothing like this has ever happened before."

"Illness crops up sometimes without any concrete reason." Liam's voice was surprisingly smooth.

"That it does." Dad groaned and I pictured him stretching. "Like my back has recently started feeling tight. I don't know what's going on."

"It's old age, Thomas."

Dad's laughter boomed. "Thank you, Liam. Excellent diagnosis." "I know, I'm one of the best."

Since the mood was light, I swallowed my nerves and entered the living room. Dad stopped his teasing and reached for me.

He rubbed my back, his eyes searching my face. "Peanut, how are you feeling?"

I must have scared him earlier. The worry in his gaze clutched at my heart. He deserved to know the truth.

I'd never lied to him and I hated doing so now. I took a deep breath. "I'm fine, Dad."

"Don't scare me like that again. Do everything Liam suggested, okay?" My chin trembled. If I uttered another word, I'd surely break into tears. So I settled for a nod and sniff.

"Oh, Peanut." He collected me into his arms.

Warmth cocooned me. I sighed and leaned into my dad. For the first time tonight, everything seemed like it would, indeed, be alright.

He rubbed my back. "Liam took good care of you. You're fine now." Liam. Worry bolted through me, chasing away the comfort. I blinked

open.

Liam hadn't moved from the spot where Dad had left him.

His feet were planted and his arms folded across his chest. The gray depths of his eyes mirrored the orange fire from the fireplace and swirled with an emotion I couldn't name. The worst part was, the force of it was focused on me.

I stared back at him over Dad's shoulder, unable to look away. Was he mad at me? Angry about the baby?

Dad pulled away. "Let's get you home, Ava."

He draped an arm across my shoulder and herded us to the door. Liam followed behind.

"You'll email me the bill, right?" Dad paused.

I glanced back and Liam's eyes caught mine, not letting go. His jaw clenched. "Don't worry about it. It's nothing."

Dad snorted. "I thought you'd say that. I owe you one, regardless." Liam kept looking at me intently. "Come on, Peanut."

My eyes broke away from Liam's as we stepped into the night. "Have a good evening," Dad called back. Liam didn't respond.