Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 64406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
* * *
Harrison called, texted, FaceTimed, and showed up at Winter’s apartment building. She hadn’t answered the phone, her read texts option was off, so he had no idea if she’d seen his message, but he’d bet she was ignoring him. And the doorman told him she wasn’t home. He called Nikki, but she didn’t answer either. Frustration rode him because he needed to sit down with her and discuss his involvement in both her pregnancy and their child’s life.
When the direct route to Winter failed, he called his brother and somehow convinced Asher to tell him where to find the women. They were at Winter’s first obstetrician appointment, and Harrison muttered a curse.
He had no doubt that was why she’d called him. To extend an olive branch and invite him to join her. Then she’d gotten a glimpse of his lipstick-stained face and decided he wasn’t serious enough to be all in when it came to their baby.
Persuading Asher to give him the doctor’s address hadn’t been easy. Asher had insisted that if Winter wanted him to know, she would have told him. And Nikki would throttle him if he got in the middle of their issues.
Harrison tried reminding Asher that they were brothers, Asher had informed him fiancée trumped brother.
“Would you want to miss your baby’s first doctor’s appointment?” he’d asked.
Asher had texted him the address.
Harrison walked into the office off Park Avenue. All sets of eyes turned his way, and most widened the moment they recognized him.
Shit.
A quick glance told him Winter wasn’t in the waiting room, which meant she’d probably been called into the back. He was lucky enough that when he’d spoken to Asher, he hadn’t been late for the appointment.
Harrison stepped up to the front desk where an older woman was on the phone, and he waited anxiously for her to notice him. When she finally glanced up, her lips parted in a surprised O. “You’re… You’re… Harrison Dare! Oh my God.”
He leaned in on one elbow, giving her his full attention.
“Can I help you?” she finally remembered to ask.
“I’m here to see Winter Capwell. I was supposed to bring her today, but I was running late, so she came with her sister. Think you can let me in to surprise her?”
She furrowed her eyebrows together. “Oh, I don’t know. It’s against protocol. Let me go back and ask her.”
That wouldn’t work. Winter would probably have him thrown out. “This really needs to be a surprise.” He treated the receptionist to his patented, big-wattage grin and turned on the charm. “Can you please help a guy out?” he asked with a wink.
She leaned in. “Will you give me your autograph?” She blushed as she asked.
“Sure thing.” One signature later on an envelope, the nearest white paper she could find, and she led him to a room with a closed door and left him there.
Two nurses walked past. Both stared. A patient exited a room, noticed him and did a double take. So much for slipping in unnoticed.
Drawing a deep breath, he knocked on Winter’s exam room door. A female doctor opened the door, and her gaze met his. After the requisite eyebrow-raising, she pulled herself together. “And who are you, besides Hollywood’s Hottest Playboy?” she asked.
His face heated as it usually did when that stupid moniker came up.
“He’s the baby’s father,” he heard Winter speak, followed by a heavy sigh. “You can let him in,” she said, and the nervous knot in his stomach eased.
“Well, I was just leaving so Ms. Capwell can get dressed and meet me in my office where we can talk some more.”
“You’re finished with the exam?” he asked.
She nodded. “With the basics. Congratulations.” She stepped into the hall and let him walk past her and into the small exam room.
Winter sat on the table wrapped in a blue gown with a paper sheet covering her to her waist. Beside her stood Nikki, looking at him with a huge grin on her face. His baby’s mother didn’t look nearly as happy to see him.
“Ladies,” he greeted them with a smile.
“I think that’s my cue to leave!” Nikki gathered her bag and jacket she’d hung on a hook behind the door and walked over to her sister.
She wrapped her arms around Winter and whispered something in her ear, then stepped past him, squeezing his hand in silent support as she left, pulling the door shut behind her.
Harrison glanced around the room, taking in the medical instruments and stirrups on either side of the table, grateful for his timing. He’d missed the exam, and he had a feeling it was for the best this time.
He cleared his throat and met Winter’s glassy green eyes. With her makeup-free face and her arms wrapped around herself, holding her gown shut—and probably herself together—she looked more fragile than he’d ever seen her.