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  “She hasn’t been here in a week. You can stop looking, pussy.”

  I didn’t reply. She was avoiding me, and it stung more than his words.

  I stared at Tammy as she looked around the exam room. She had a triumphant smile on her face and excitement oozed off her.

  The thought crossed my mind that this could be a huge mistake. What if she really was pregnant? I shook my head, removing the thought, as someone knocked on the door.

  “Come in,” Tammy said, looking at the door with her hands clasped in her lap and moving her dangling feet.

  A heavyset woman with gray hair entered the room. “Good morning, Tammy. How are you feeling today?” she asked as she sat down on the stool next to the exam table.

  “I’m doing really great, Dr. Singh.”

  Kicking back, I put my hands behind my head to watch it unravel. I wanted to speak, but I figured that if the doctor had a brain she’d figure out Tammy’s scam quickly.

  “That’s always nice to hear. How far along do you think you are?” The doctor asked, looking down, flipping through the file.

  “I’m not sure. Not too far.” Tammy fidgeted with her hands, looking down.

  “You said the pregnancy was confirmed, though, right?”

  “Yes, my family doctor confirmed it, but Michael”—she looked to me and back to Dr. Singh—“he’s the dad and wanted to get an ultrasound picture as soon as possible.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Michael.” Dr. Singh nodded at me and smiled.

  “You too, doc. I want to know when the bundle of joy will be entering our lives.” I couldn’t just come right out and say I didn’t believe a word that came out of Tammy’s mouth—at least not in front of her, anyway.

  “Well, let’s see if we can get you a photo and determine a due date for you.”

  “Is it too early for that?” Tammy looked worried, but I honestly thought she was too nuts to really grasp the enormity of what was about to happen.

  “No, I can see the stage of development and can give you an educated guess. Depends how far along you are, sweetie.” Dr. Singh patted Tammy’s leg.

  “I can’t thank you enough for doing this so quickly. I know how busy you are,” Tammy said with a smile.

  “I always try and help out the hospital staff the best I can. You’re lucky I had a cancellation.”

  I was bored with their chitchat to the point where I had started to become annoyed. “Ladies, I don’t mean to be a jerk, but I’m on pins and needles here.” I rubbed my neck and tried to calm myself down.

  “I know you’re both excited. Lean back, Tammy, and lift your shirt,” Dr. Singh said, pulling over the ultrasound equipment. She grabbed a paper cover-up, tucking it in Tammy’s pants, pulling them down to expose her belly. She squirted blue liquid on her stomach as Tammy began to laugh.

  “I know it feels funny, but at least it’s warm. Now, let’s see what we have here.”

  Swallowing hard, I moved to the edge of the seat. My legs began to shake as my stomach felt like someone was inside beating the fuck out of it.

  The wand glided across her stomach as the doctor stared at the screen. She leaned forward and stared before moving the wand a bit.

  I had no idea what the hell I was looking for, but it didn’t stop me from trying.

  “That’s strange,” Dr. Singh said, her face almost pressed against the black-and-white screen.

  “What’s wrong?” Tammy looked panicked as she bit her lip, sitting up on her elbows.

  “I don’t see anything.” Dr. Singh moved the wand again and squinted at the monitor.

  The angels began to sing in my head, and I felt vindicated as relief flooded my body.

  “Wait,” Dr. Singh said.

  Fuck, no way did something magically appear.

  My heart stopped and every ounce of air left my lungs.

  “False alarm,” she said, frowning.

  Jesus fucking Christ, she almost gave me a heart attack. I started to breathe again, almost dizzy, on the verge of a panic attack.

  “Tammy, I don’t see an embryo, sweetie. Are you sure you were pregnant?”

  “What do you mean ‘were’?” Tammy’s mouth hung open.

  “I don’t see anything at all.” The doctor shook her head and looked at me with sad eyes.

  I wanted to fist bump her, not cry.

  “I lost the baby?” Tammy’s lips began to quiver and her eyes glistened.

  The crazy bitch actually was an amazing actress. I’d give her a fucking Oscar.

  “I can’t say that you were ever pregnant, but if you were, then yes, I’m sorry,” Dr. Singh said as she put the wand in the holder.

  Every muscle in my body relaxed, and I felt exhausted as I watched the doctor wipe Tammy’s abdomen.

  “I can’t believe it,” Tammy whispered as she wiped away tears.

  “You can try again. This is common in the first trimester.” Dr. Singh was trying to be supportive, but I’d bet money based on her facial expression that she didn’t think there ever was a baby. “Sometimes tests can be wrong, sweetie.”

  “Stop calling me that!” Tammy yelled, covering her ears.

  Enter psycho Tammy.

  “You’re lying about my baby.” Her hands fell to her stomach as she cradled herself. “He’s in there.” She caressed her stomach.

  Dr. Singh looked stupefied. I was sure she was used to a bit of crazy dealing with hormonal pregnant women all the time, but Tammy was her own special brand.

  “You can always get a second opinion.” The doctor rubbed her head before she started to scribble in the file.

  I sat there, not wanting to cause a scene in the doctor’s office by confronting Tammy with her lie.

  “I will. You obviously don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  The doctor’s eyebrows shot up. She saw the crazy. Recognized Tammy for who she really was—cuckoo.

  “It’s your right as a patient,” the doctor said.

  Tammy jumped off the table, adjusting her pants as tears streamed down her cheeks. “Let’s get the fuck out of here, Michael. I need to find a real doctor.” She glared at Dr. Singh.

  The doctor looked at me, dumbfounded. “I’m sorry,” she said with a halfhearted smile.

  I shrugged and tried to hide my smile. “Don’t worry about it, doctor. It’s not your fault.”

  “What the fuck? Yes, it is. She’s lying to us, Michael.” All the tears on her face had disappeared, replaced by coldblooded hatred.

  “Let’s go, Tammy. Let’s get you out of here.” I held my hand out to her as I bit my lip.

  No one spoke as we walked out of the room. Tammy walked right by the checkout desk before bursting into the waiting room. “She’s a fraud,” she yelled at the room full of women with swollen bellies.

  “Shh,” I said as I clamped my hand around her mouth from behind. “Save it for outside,” I whispered in her ear.

  I kept my hand on her mouth as we left the doctor’s office.

  As soon as we made it outside, she yelled, “I can’t believe her. There’s a baby in my belly.” She rubbed her stomach and stared at her hands.

  “Let’s just get you home.” I wanted to drop her off and immediately file for a restraining order. My suspicions were correct, and it was time to put Tammy in the past.

  “Will you stay and hold me?” She looked at me with wide eyes, clinging to my shirt.

  “I will.” I hated lying, but with Tammy it was easy. I didn’t flinch with my words. “Come on, get in. I’ll stay as long as you need,” I said as I held the door open.

  She gave me a weak smile as I closed the door and fought every instinct I had to run. After I climbed in, she curled up to me. She held my arm as I drove, and I didn’t look at her or return her touch. We drove in silence.

  “You’re coming in, right?” She looked up from my shoulder with a meek smile on her face as I pulled in her driveway.

  “Yes.” I wasn’t going to fucking cuddle, either. This time
I wouldn’t leave her house without the scrapbook safely in my possession. “Let’s get you into bed so you can rest.”

  Her smile grew wide as she looked into my eyes. “I can’t think of anything that would make me happier, Michael.” She climbed out of the car and waited for me.

  Holding my arm, she opened the front door.

  “Go get ready and I’ll be right in. I’m going to make us some tea,” I said, wanting her to go away.

  “Oh, okay,” she said as she stood on her tiptoes, kissing my cheek.

  “Take your time, put something comfy on, and I’ll meet you in bed.”

  She walked away with a giant smile on her face, looking back at me before disappearing inside her bedroom.

  I turned on the water, to hide any noise, before I looked through the living room.

  Where the fuck was the scrapbook? It wasn’t on the coffee table, like it had been the last time I was here. I started to panic, my heart pounded, and sweat beaded on my brow. I needed to find it and get the fuck out of here.

  As I walked by her television, I spotted it. Victory was mine. I grabbed it and tucked it under my arm.

  Turning off the water, I stood in the kitchen, out of her line of sight from the hallway. “You okay in there?” I called out to her.

  “Yeah, I’m going to jump in the shower to freshen up. Okay, baby?” she replied from the bedroom.

  “Go ahead. I’m just finishing up with the tea. I’ll be waiting for you.”

  “I’m hurrying,” she yelled.

  As the shower turned on, I waited, listening for her to climb inside. I left the house as quietly as humanly possible before jumping in my truck and breathing a sigh of relief.

  I could only imagine the scene when she walked out and didn’t see me there. She wasn’t my issue to deal with anymore; it was for the law to handle.

  First stop would be Izzy to put the block back on my phone, and then to George. I needed to sign the restraining order and have it executed.

  Mia was the next thing to resolve.

  I had to get her back.

  She was the one prize I couldn’t lose.

  Chapter 23

  I stared out of the sliding glass doors that led out to my lanai, sipping a cup of coffee. I inhaled the sweet scent as I watched the palm trees sway in the summer breeze. I needed to blow off some steam. Running was the best option, but out of the question in the blazing sun and humid air. Even early in the morning, the humidity outside was enough to make your hair instantly frizz and your skin damp within seconds.

  I tapped my coffee cup with my finger and weighed my options. Pass out from running outside or head to the gym and possibly run into Michael. Why couldn’t my life be simple anymore?

  A pounding on the door made me jump and spill my coffee.

  “Fuck,” I muttered, wiping my hands on a napkin. Nothing like a peaceful morning ruined by a Mormon searching for a new convert.

  I trudged to the door, annoyed with the interruption. Instead of a gaggle of religious people, Michael stood there with a package tucked under his arm, looking really pissed off.

  My heart hammered, wanting to burst through my chest.

  “Mia,” he said, holding the doorframe.

  “What do you want, Michael? Haven’t I made it clear that I don’t want to see you?”

  He closed his eyes, letting go of the doorframe and taking a step forward. “I can’t let you shut me out.” He shook his head as he opened his eyes.

  “It’s not your decision to make.” Crossing my arms, I didn’t let a bit of weakness show through. That’s the problem with men—they want control, and I wasn’t used to giving it up.

  “Fucking hell,” he muttered as the hardness in his face melted away. “I need to talk to you.”

  I didn’t move. “We’re talking. Say what you need to say and go.”

  I had to stay strong, when all I wanted to do was jump in his arms and make up. I wanted to erase the last week. I needed to be strong. I’d never play second fiddle to anyone.

  “Can’t I come in?” He straightened, taking another step forward.

  I held out my arm, stopping him. “Here will do.”

  He balled his hands into fists as he stared at his feet. “First, Tammy is not pregnant. I had that confirmed yesterday by a doctor.” He paused.

  I took that opportunity to jump in. “That’s lucky for you. I ran into Tammy yesterday and she told me you two were going to get an ultrasound.” His eyes widened as I spoke. “I was also told that you’re very much back together and happier than ever.”

  “We are not back together. I spent yesterday afternoon filing a restraining order against her.”

  My stomach filled with butterflies as he reached to touch my arm, but he pulled away at the last second.

  “I needed her to trust me to prove she wasn’t carrying my baby. She’s nothing to me,” he pleaded.

  “Are you so careless with women, Michael? We’re here to be used?”

  He stiffened and glared at me. “Are you fucking kidding me right now? I’ve never used you. I did nothing to make you feel that way, Mia.”

  “I felt dirty in the hallway of the hospital when Tammy flashed her ring in my face. I felt used and worthless. No one has ever made me feel that way.” I choked back the tears that wanted to escape. “I’ve never allowed anyone to make me feel that way until you came into my life.” I shook my head, and my shoulders fell.

  “Mia, sweetheart,” he said tenderly. He touched my arm, and the electricity passed between us. The snap, crackle, pop. The spark hadn’t died, no matter how hard I tried to smother it.

  “Tammy’s not in my life. I never promised her a relationship or a forever, and I never asked the crazy woman to marry me. You have to believe me.” He rested his hand against my cheek, and I wanted to melt into his touch, but I didn’t.

  “I want to, Michael. I really do.” I looked into his soft caramel eyes and felt his sorrow. It was like a punch to the gut. “How do I know it’s really over between the two of you?”

  “My lawyer is taking care of it.”

  “Sometimes the law can’t stop someone like her. It’s a can of worms I’m not sure I can handle right now. I have enough shit happening in my life without looking over my shoulder all the time.”

  “I’ll protect you.” He smiled.

  It was megawatt strength, and amazing. It sent a thrill through me that he wanted me so badly, but could I willingly lay myself out for this man?

  He grabbed my chin, bringing my eyes to his. “Don’t throw what we have away, Mia. There’s something that brought us together. I feel like I’ve known you forever, and I don’t want to be without that feeling. I can’t lose you.”

  I felt at home in his arms, and truly at peace when he entered my life. I closed my eyes to break the connection. The enormity of the moment sank in as I opened them. “I don’t know,” I said, staring at his chest. He’d be able to see my vulnerability if I looked at him.

  “How can you deny what’s between us, Mia?” His soft lips touched mine, and I couldn’t pull away. I leaned into him, inhaling the soft, musky scent that was purely Michael. “We have something here that can’t be denied,” he said against my lips.

  “Michael—” Before I could finish the statement, his mouth enveloped mine, effectively shutting me up.

  He wrapped his arms around me. The touch that I had missed for days almost brought me to my knees. Pushing me into the house, he kicked the door closed behind us. I couldn’t deny him any longer. I couldn’t lie to myself and say what we had wasn’t magical in some way.

  I pulled away and stared into his eyes. “Only me?” I asked. I needed the affirmation that I was it for him. I wouldn’t be in competition with anyone else for his love and affection. I’d never let myself be that girl.

  “No one else,” he said before capturing my mouth.

  The sound of his breath as he devoured my lips sent an electric pulse through my body. I loved everything about this ma
n, down to the small noises he made when we kissed.

  “I’m scared, Michael,” I whispered as he broke the kiss.

  “Of what?”

  “You.” I sucked in a breath.

  He held me at arm’s length. “Mia,” he said, lifting my chin. “I won’t break your heart. For the first time in my life, I’ve found something worth fighting for, someone more important than me.” His eyes searched mine. “Give me a chance to prove it. I’ll do everything in my power to make you happy.”

  “How do I know I can trust you? I want to believe you, but what if I was the other woman, Michael? I can’t just pretend like nothing happened without knowing for sure.” I stared into his eyes.

  “I have proof. I brought this to show you.” He held out the large brown envelope.

  “What is it?” I asked, not sure I wanted to open it.

  “Just look. I want you to see Tammy for who she really is. My statement to the police is in there, along with evidence and screen shots of her text messages. She never mentioned a baby, Mia. She lied and tried to trap me.” He pushed the envelope forward into my hands.

  I walked to the couch and set it on the coffee table. Michael sat next to me, not speaking, as he watched me. I removed the contents one by one. A book and a couple of sheets of paper were inside. Setting the book on the table, I grabbed the papers and flipped through them.

  I read the text messages first, paying close attention to the timestamp. Not one said anything about a baby, just Tammy begging him to come back to her. The messages went from pleading to downright mean and threatening. The conversation was entirely one-sided. They were all from before we met. He had ended it with her. I wasn’t the other woman.

  “What’s this?” I asked, holding the black book in my hand.

  “Take a look. It’s an eye-opener for sure. Tammy made it.”

  I nodded, opening the cover to reveal the first page. It read “Michael & Tammy Gallo,” with a picture of them on their wedding day. Only it wasn’t them. I started laughing.

  “I told ya,” he said, running his fingers across my hand.

  “No, it’s just…” I tried to stop laughing. “She showed me a picture like this, but an engagement photo.”