Page 128 of One Reckless Night

“Jared’s still in Miami,” I said, trying to sound calm. “He’s supposed to be back soon, but⁠—”

“I’ll call him,” Shawn said, pulling out his phone. “Don’t worry. He’ll make it.”

I nodded, but I wasn’t so sure. “I’m supposed to deliver in Miami,” I said. “My doctor is in Miami.”

“I’ll call the pilot,” he said.

A contraction hit, sharp enough to make me double over. I groaned, unable to stop myself.

“Uh, just breathe,” he said. “Like, um, I don’t know—breathe.”

“I’m breathing,” I grunted.

“I’ll call the pilot.”

Things were moving fast—too fast. “No,” I said. “I can’t. Too fast.”

“What?”

I shook my head, a strong contraction stole my breath away. I reached out and sank my claws into his arm.

“Ouch! Okay, okay. Alright. Not the airport. The clinic.”

I groaned again, leaning my head back against the seat. The pain came out of nowhere. My body felt like someone was stretching and twisting.

By the time we reached the clinic, the contractions were coming hard and fast. Shawn was talking on the phone, but I could barely hear him. I was focusing every ounce of my energy on breathing through the pain.

“He’s on his way,” Shawn said. “Turns out, we couldn’t fly you to Miami if we wanted to. Jared’s on the jet and the helicopter is delivering a patient to Orlando.”

I was starting to panic. We weren’t supposed to have the baby here. We had a reservation in Miami. My doctor was in Miami.

“I can’t,” I murmured. “Not here. I don’t want to.”

“Sweetie, I don’t think you have a choice.”

He helped me out of the car. I walked in, hunched over and on the verge of real panic. I didn’t want to do it here. I knew these people. They were great neuro doctors, but they weren’t OBGYN’s. This wasn’t right.

“No,” I shook my head. “I want to go to Miami.”

“Come with us,” a nurse said. “We’ve got you.”

The nurses rushed me into a room, helping me into a gown and hooking me up to monitors. Shawn came in once I was settled into a bed.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, his voice gentle.

“Like I’m about to have a baby,” I said, my voice strained. “Where’s Jared?”

“He’s on his way,” Shawn assured me. “He’ll be here soon.”

I nodded, but the fear was creeping in. What if he didn’t make it? What if he missed the birth of our son? I couldn’t do this without him. I didn’t want to do this without him.

I really didn’t want to do it with Shawn at my side. Some things a male friend shouldn’t see.

“Where’s Clair?” I asked.

“She’s in Miami,” he said. “She’s on her way back with Jared.”

“Not you,” I groaned. “Sorry. No offense. But you cannot see…well, you know.”