Fresh tears poured from her eyes. “Damn. I’m a mess.”
Most women looked terrible when they cried, but Sammi’s misery only enhanced her fragility and awakened his desire to protect her. Before Oliver could assure her that she was perfectly within her rights to feel upset over her circumstances, a tall man clad in a white coat bearing the hospital’s logo entered the room.
“Good afternoon, Ms. Guzman.” The doctor gave her a comforting smile. “I understand you’ve taken quite a fall.”
Oliver stepped back, offering Sammi some privacy. Her gaze flicked his way, and he glimpsed anxiety in her eyes. No doubt she’d expect him to bolt. It was the perfect opportunity for him to run off, leaving her to cope with the situation all on her own. Did he really need a whole new set of responsibilities? Wasn’t there enough chaos in his personal life with his father’s reappearance?
Anger flared as thoughts of Vernon Lowell consumed him once more. Deciding what he needed was some fresh air to clear his mind, Oliver headed for the exit. Ten minutes later, back under control, he returned to the curtained area where Sammi had been and discovered she was gone. His first reaction was panic. Had he lost her again so soon? The backpack in his hands calmed him. He had her information in his grasp.
And as he went in search of a nurse who could explain where she’d been taken, Oliver realized that whether or not she was pregnant with his child, he didn’t intend to let her escape until he was ready to let her go.
Sammi wasn’t surprised when Oliver slipped out after the doctor arrived. After all, she’d given him permission to leave the entire situation in her hands. Therefore, she was quite surprised when, after a round of tests, including an MRI and a wrist X-ray, she was wheeled into a private room and he was waiting for her.
“I thought you’d gone,” she said, relief overwhelming her. She reined in her wayward emotions and concentrated on evening out her breathing. She couldn’t presume he’d stuck around because he cared about her even a little. They’d slept together once.
“I just stepped out to give you some privacy, and while I was gone, they took you away for testing.” He set her backpack on the rolling table beside her. “How are you feeling?”
She noticing that although his gaze had only briefly touched on her midsection, he didn’t ask about the baby. No doubt it would be easier on him if the accident had caused her to miscarry. Sammi shook off the uncharitable thought, reminding herself that he hadn’t taken the opportunity to bolt.
“My head hurts, and I’m nauseated,” she explained, “but they said that’s normal for someone who has a concussion.”
“They want to keep you overnight,” he said, his gaze flicking toward the doorway, as if he wished he could use it. “Is there someone I should call and let them know where you are?”
Celeste popped into Sammi’s mind, but she immediately shook her head. She wasn’t done being angry with her mother for suggesting Sammi terminate her pregnancy. “There’s no one.”
A frown puckered Oliver’s brow, indicating he didn’t believe her, but Sammi kept her expression resolute. It wasn’t as if she could count on her mother to rush over and smother her with concern.
“You need someone to keep an eye on you for the next couple days,” he said, his tone matter-of-fact. “Concussions are nothing to take lightly.”
Sammi recalled the argument between her and Celeste. If she intended to follow through on her intention to quit modeling and move into a less expensive apartment, soon enough she’d be on her own.
“I’ll be fine.” She was proud of her confidence, even as she dreaded the battle that awaited her at home.
Oliver shook his head. “I don’t accept that.”
Even as she bristled at his bossy attitude, a knot unraveled inside her chest. For a brief moment she leaned into the feeling. What would it be like to have someone take care of her for a change? Someone who liberated her from all her worries and woes. Who lifted the burden of responsibility from her shoulders?
Feeling her resolve weaken, Sammi shook away the tempting thoughts. Her fingers crept over her abdomen and the lifelong responsibility that grew inside her. Despite the doubts about motherhood that she’d shared with Oliver earlier, Sammi was ready for the challenge.
“I don’t think you have a choice but to accept it,” she said, struggling to stay strong while her head pounded and her muscles screamed protests at her slightest move.
“Why are you being so difficult when all I want to do is make sure you’re okay?” he countered, sounding put out.
His concern sent electricity jolting through her. The energy blast momentarily vanquished her aches and pains.
“I’m not being difficult.”
Oliver crossed powerful arms over his chest and glared. “I disagree.”
“You’re not asking me what I need,” she said, “but telling me what you think I should do. And I already have enough people in my life doing that.”
They glared at each other for several seconds before Oliver blew out a breath and moved to stand beside the bed. His tone gentled as he said, “You came to me, remember?”
“And if I hadn’t, we never would’ve met again.” There was the crux of her fear. Not once over the last six weeks had he reached out to her. If she’d never become pregnant and gone to his apartment, she never would’ve seen him again.
“I had your name wrong. The bar was so loud. I thought you said Suzi. You knew who I was, and I never made an effort to get your full name.”
His closed expression left her wondering if the lapse had been intentional. After all, she knew a bunch of models he’d hooked up with
