New Year, New Guy by Angela Britnell

Author:Angela Britnell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fiction, romantic comedy, contemporary, humor
Publisher: Choc Lit
Published: 2020-09-15T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Two

The rigid set of Hunter’s shoulders. The way his smile reached his eyes the fraction of a second after the twitching of the corners of his mouth. Everything pointed towards him keeping something from her again.

‘Somethin’ wrong?’

‘You tell me.’

‘I thought it could wait but as usual you’re right. It can’t.’ He gave a wry smile. ‘It’s not us. Promise.’

‘Then what is it?’

‘I reckon this needs a mug of hot tea to hand.’

Laura couldn’t help laughing. ‘Have we converted you to the medicinal benefits of a decent tea bag and boiling water?’

‘Sure have.’

‘Why don’t you put your things back upstairs while I’ll stick the kettle on?’ She hesitated. ‘You might as well put them in my room.’

‘You’re sure?’

‘Yes.’ Whatever the problem was they’d sort it together and move on from there. She scrolled through the latest messages on her phone while she waited for the water to boil and noticed several missed texts from Henry. She’d made it clear she wasn’t working again until Monday, so why was he bothering her now? As she read through them a chill shivered down her spine. ‘Is this what you didn’t want to tell me?’ She held up the phone for Hunter when he strolled back in. He read Henry’s alerts about Mike’s girlfriend undergoing an emergency Caesarean after being rushed to the hospital and the colour seeped from his face. ‘Partly.’ He scrutinised her closely. ‘You didn’t know she was pregnant?’

‘No.’ The strength of her reaction shocked her. It hurt like a vicious stab wound to the heart to discover her ex-husband had given his new girlfriend the baby she’d wanted so badly. A healthy, if small, little girl.

‘If it helps you any he’s not happy about it.’

‘It really doesn’t. In an ideal world every baby would be wanted, loved and cared for, although I’m not naive enough to believe that’s the case. Mike’s not soft and fuzzy when it comes to children … or anything else.’

‘Kiki going into labour early might be partly my fault.’ He shoved a hand through his loose curtain of hair. ‘I kind of interfered and might’ve upset her.’

‘You? How do you know her?’ Laura listened to his story with disbelief. ‘You did that for me?’

‘Yeah, mainly.’ Hunter’s sky-blue eyes darkened. ‘But also because he’s a piece of scum with the scruples and morals of an alley cat. The other doctor involved should be raked over the coals too.’

‘I’ll report them both on Monday.’ She flopped down on the nearest chair.

‘Hold your horses, sweetheart. I’m not sure Kiki will corroborate the allegation. Could be tricky.’

‘What about if I talk to her?’ Laura’s voice wobbled.

‘Are you prepared for all the gossip if you do that?’

‘As a medical professional how can I ignore this? And as a woman …’ Out of nowhere an image filled her head of a tiny wrinkled baby, swaddled in a soft blanket and wearing one of the pink-and-white striped hospital knitted hats with an oversized bow.

‘I’m dumb.’ Hunter clutched her tighter. ‘It’s the baby, isn’t it?’

Nodding through her tears Laura’s longing for a baby poured out.

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