Blondies displeasure with Emily was evident as she set up the necessary items for the visit. Once Emily and Gavin had found out the insurance billing error was her fault, Gavin called the office to vehemently voice his displeasure. After nearly getting his lawyers involved to file a lawsuit, Gavin wanted Emily to change offices, but since the doctor already knew their awkward situation, Emily felt it best to just leave it alone. She was more than satisfied that Blondie was reprimanded.

You know the drill. Pants down below your pubic bone. Blondie flipped on the sonogram machine, clicked off the lights, and moved toward the door. Doctor Richards is finishing up with another patient. Hell be right in. In the meantime, you cant use the restroom. With that, she and her attitude walked out.

Emily sat on the edge of the table with her back to Dillon. Hands shaking, she slightly lowered the soft, stretchy cotton covering her belly. She glanced at the door, willing Gavin to open it. In the quiet room, Dillons breathing sounded like a tornado whirling through her ears. Deciding to wait for either the doctor or Gavin, she stilled her movements.

You let me fuck you for over a year. Nows not the time to start getting embarrassed. Emily heard the smile in Dillons words, felt the venom lacing them. Dont worry. Theres no way what you look like right now could ever turn me on.

Youre an asshole, she mumbled, her heart pounding.

He chuckled. And youre the whore who landed us all in this position. Whats worse, Emily? A whore who fucks her boyfriends friend or an asshole whos making her pay for it?

As his sickening statement crushed through her head, the door swung open. Gavin and the doctor entered from the hall. Crossing the room rapidly, Gavin was at her side in a second, his face twisted in worry. Im sorry, he whispered as Emily stood and wrapped her arms around his neck.

What happened? she asked. She breathed in his scent, automatically calmed by his presence. She looked into his eyes, trying to keep tears from her own. I sent you a text. You never called back.

I left my phone at the office and didnt realize it until I was halfway through the city. I got caught in traffic. It was a mess. He looked at Emilys face, picking up that she was worried about more than his absence. Something else was there. His stomach surged, twisting with anger. He flicked his eyes to Dillon, then back to Emily. Is everything all right?

Emily felt him freeze as though hed suddenly been encased in ice. She swallowed, a knot swelling in her throat. She nodded, not wanting to tell him whatd happened. Gavin was already on edge. If he thought Dillon gave her even the tiniest of dirty looks, without a doubt, there would be bloodshed in that office.

Nothing happened? he asked more intently, staring between her and Dillon. From the chair across the room, Dillon peered at them.

She nodded again and reached up to kiss him. Gavin sighed as her lips met his. He tried to fight off the gnawing feeling she was hiding something. A heartbeat later, he helped her onto the table, his hand smoothing over her belly as she exposed her glorious flesh. She looked at him and smiled. Warming immediately, Gavin pulled up a chair and sat next to her. As he held Emilys hand, Gavins eyes locked on Dillon. He was starting to think the idea of allowing him to be present was something hed regret forever. Fuck. This child could be his, and that asshole had no right to be here during something so joyous.

So howve you been feeling, Miss Cooper? the doctor asked, flipping through her chart. He placed the clipboard on his desk and moved toward the sink. I see youre still having some nausea?

I am. But its down to the evenings only now.

Try a hot cup of chamomile or ginger tea, he said, washing his hands. After drying them, he padded across the room, slipped on a pair of gloves, and reached for the gel. My wife swore on Saltine crackers when she was pregnant with all three of our boys.

Three boys? Dillon leaned forward, his forearms on his knees. His mouth screwed into the faintest smirk. Im hoping were also having a boy.

Tension from every direction dropped in the room like an atom bomb. Feeling Gavins hand tighten around hers, Emily whipped her head in his direction. He stared at Dillon with his mouth pressed into a rigid line, and her breath caught at the sight of Gavins eyes glowing like burning embers. Emily squeezed his hand, attempting to bring his attention back to her, but it didnt work. Body bristling with noticeable rage, Gavin looked as though he was about to leap across the table.

I love you, she whispered.

That broke his trance. Seething, Gavin dragged his eyes from Dillons and focused on the reason he was there. He could do this. He would do this. He only hoped to God he would survive without killing Dillon.

The doctor cleared his throat. Well, youre just shy of twenty weeks. If we get some cooperation from the little one, well know the sex in a few minutes.

Calming her, the unease of the moment faded as Gavin gently stroked her hair. Emily zoned out Dillon as she zoned in on the monitor. Praying the soft, humming heartbeat swirling through the air like a sweet melody half belonged to the man next to her, Emily pulled in a deep breath as the doctor pushed his handy microphone against her abdomen.

After a few blinking beats, the doctor chuckled. Look at that. He pointed to the screen as he pressed a tad harder along the right side of Emilys stomach. Not sure of the sex yet, but thats the baby with its fingers in its mouth.