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Chapter 89 Two Men
Mia’s POV
The knock came again, more insistent this time. Gas’s ears perked up, but his usual protective growl was notably absent. If anything, his tail gave a tentative wag. That’s really strange.
“Coming!” I called and made my way to the door.
I hadn’t even finished turning the handle when Gas bounded forward, nearly knocking me off balance in his enthusiasm. The door swing open to reveal Nate, looking casual but put–together Jeans and a light sweater. His easy smile faltered slightly as his eyes dropped to my midsection, then quickly back to my face.
The flowing fabric of my maxi dress did its best to conceal my pregnancy, but at nearly five months with twins, there was only so much clever draping could hide.
“Oh.” The word escaped before I could stop it. Heat rushed to my cheeks as I realized what he must be seeing – what I’d been so carefully hiding during our friendship.
For a long moment, neither of us spoke. Gas’s tail thumped against the hardwood as he looked between us, clearly pleased with himself for some reason.
“I brought coffee,” Nate finally said, holding up a carrier with what looked like specialty drinks from my favorite café. “Though I’m guessing you’ll want the decaf option.”
A startled laugh escaped me. “You don’t seem very surprised.”
His smile turned gentle. “I am a doctor and a friend that know you well, Mia. And while obstetrics isn’t my specialty, I do know the signs.” He paused, then added softly, “Plus, you’ve been avoiding caffeine for weeks.”
“I’m sorry.” The words tumbled out. “I should have told you. I just… I didn’t want things to get weird.” It is indeed difficult for me to say that I am pregnant with my ex–husband’s child.
“Mia.” He cut me off gently. “Can I come in? This seems like a conversation better had sitting down.”
I stepped back, letting him enter. Gas immediately pressed against his legs, clearly recognizing a friend.
“Mom?” I called toward the kitchen. “We have company.”
“Who–Doctor Pierce!” Mom tried to stand as we entered, wincing as she put weight on her injured ankle.
Nate saw it, “Sarah, you okay?”
“Just a small accident with gravity and some coffee grounds,” Mom tried to wave it off, but I saw her flinch again as she shifted. “May I?” Nate already moved to examine her ankle with careful hands. “Any numbness? Sharp pain when I press here?”
Mom answered his questions as he worked, his movements efficient but gentle. I watched from the doorway. Nate doesn’t seem angry at all about my pregnancy. This makes me feel a little ashamed. I underestimated Nate. He seems more noble than I thought.
“It’s likely just a moderate sprain,” he concluded after a thorough examination. “But you’ll want to stay off it for at least a few days.”
“Thank you,” Mom said, studying him with that particular look she got when she was reassessing someone. “That’s very kind.” “Just doing my job.” But his smile was warm as he turned to me. “Now, Mia.Perhaps you would feel like talking to me?”
“Um, yeah…sure.”
We settled at the kitchen table, Mom’s ankle propped carefully on its pillow tower while Gas sprawled across my feet … always.
“So,” Nate finally said, sliding the decaf latte toward me. “How far along?”
Chapter 89 Two Men
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“Almost five months.” I wrapped my hands around the warm cup, ceding something to do with them. “With twins.”
His eyebrows rose slightly. “That explains the rapid changes in your energy levels. Have you been getting enough rest? Proper prenatal care?”
Nate did not show any emotional fluctuations and questioned me like a doctor. This made me feel very strange. Although this may be related to his professional habits.“Dr. Matthews has been monitoring everything closely.” I couldn’t quite meet his eyes. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I just… didn’t want to complicate things.”
“You won’t complicate anything.” His voice held no judgment, just genuine curiosity.
This affirmative sentence sounds even more strange. I forced a smile. I gestured vaguely between us. “Well, our friendship. I didn’t want to ruin it by being the pregnant divorced woman with all this baggage.”
“Mia.” He waited until I looked at him. “I just want you to know. You’re my friend, Mia. That doesn’t come with conditions or expectations.”
The simple honesty in his voice made my throat tight. Maybe I’m just overthinking it.
“Now that’s just ridiculous.” He leaned back, taking a sip of his own coffee. “Who’s taking you to your appointment this afternoon?”
I blinked. “How did you-‘
“Your mother whispered it to me..” At my surprised look, he added, “We doctors do occasionally communicate about our patients.”
Mom had the grace to look slightly sheepish: “I was worried about you going alone.”
“I’m perfectly capable—”
“Of course you are,” Nate cut in smoothly. “But you shouldn’t have to be. Let me drive you? As a friend,” he added quickly. “And maybe a medical consultant if you have questions.”
Before I could respond, another knock echoed through the apartment. Gas’s ears perked up again, but his tail kept wagging.
“Popular morning,” Mom observed dryly.
I pushed myself up from the table, one hand automatically going to my lower back where the twins seemed to be practicing their gymnastics routine. The door opened to reveal Thomas Wallace, looking unfairly put together in what was probably a custom
suit.
Awkward. It seems like another person knows I’m pregnant. Scarlett really did it. Asking her single brother to take care of her
divorced friend.
“Scarlett called,” he said by way of greeting, then stopped short at the sight of Nate. Something complicated passed between the men – recognition? Assessment?
“Dr. Pierce.” Thomas’s voice held that particular tone of old money meeting new.
“Mr. Wallace.” Nate’s response was equally measured.
Great. Just great. I resisted the urge to bang my head against the doorframe.
“Do you two know each other?” I asked.
They looked at each other. “We have some common friends, I assume,” Thomas answered.
“I was just offering to drive Mia,” Nate said, his casual tone somehow making it clear he’d gotten there first.
“That won’t be necessary.” Thomas straightened almost imperceptibly. “I’ve already cleared my schedule.”
“Boys.” Mom’s voice cut through the growing tension. “Perhaps we could let Mia decide?”
2/3
Chapter 89 Two Men
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They both turned to look at me, and I suddenly felt like I was in some bizarre parallel universe where people actually fought over the chance to take me to doctor’s appointments.
“This is ridiculous,” I muttered, earning a quiet laugh from Mom can drive myself.”
“No,” they said in unison, then looked at each other with matching expressions of surprise.
Gas chose that moment to flop dramatically onto his back between them, tail wagging hopefully as he looked between the men like he was watching a tennis match.
“Look,” I said, addressing both men. “I appreciate the concern, but this is just a routine checkup. You both have actual jobs and responsibilities.”
“My schedule is completely clear,” Thomas insisted.
“And I’m technically on call anyway,” Nate added. “It would be good to be there in case you have medical questions.”
“Or we could all go,” Thomas suggested, though he looked like the words physically pained him.
I stared at them both. “You cannot be serious.”
“Why not?” Nate shrugged. “More support is better, right?”
“Absolutely not.” I pressed my fingers to my temples, feeling a headache building. “This is weird enough without turning it into some kind of… of…”
“Field trip?” Mom supplied helpfully.
“Not helping,” I told her. She just smiled, clearly enjoying the show.
The babies chose that moment to start their usual mid–morning acrobatics routine. I pressed a hand to my side, trying to calm
them.
Both men took a step forward.
“I’m fine,” I said quickly. “They’re just active in the mornings.”
“They?” Thomas’s eyebrows rose slightly.
Right. He didn’t know about the twins. Thanks, Scarlett.
“Yes, they,” I sighed. “And before you say anything else – yes, I’m being careful. Yes, I’m eating properly. And no, I don’t need a security detail to go to the doctor.”
Two men, who are not my babies‘ father, both want drive me to the hospital.
Wow. This is really the last thing I need.
