by Maya Banks
She glanced down at her belly and rubbed absently. If it came down to it, she’d have to confess to Simon. She couldn’t allow him to commit to another woman without knowing he had a child.
Chapter Nine
Wednesday and Thursday, Toni stewed about Simon’s non-date with Starla. She avoided going to the station even though she normally was a regular visitor during their forty-eight hour shifts. In a way, she didn’t want to know anything about his relationship with Starla, but on the other hand, she was going to die if she didn’t find out.
Friday morning, she left the house before the guys got home anxious to get the day over with so she could feel Simon out that evening. She fidgeted all day, watching the clock in a sick vigil. She hadn’t had an appetite ever since skipping dinner the night of Simon’s date.
At three forty-five she was ready to bang her head on the desk in front of her. She tapped her pencil in a steady staccato and watched the seconds tick by.
“Why don’t you go on home before you drive me insane,” Doc Johnson muttered from behind her.
She whirled around, a guilty flush on her face. “Sorry.”
He gave her an indulgent smile. “Go on home. You’ve been antsy all day. I only have one more animal to see, and Marnie can help me with that one.”
Her lips split into a wide grin as she hopped down from the stool. She kissed his wrinkled cheek. “Thanks, doc. I’ll see you Monday.”
He waved her out the door, and she made a beeline for her jeep. A few minutes later she pulled into her driveway, and to her disappointment
saw Simon’s truck was gone. If he was out again with Starla, she was going to hurt someone.
“You’re early,” A.J. remarked, as she walked into the living room.
“Hello to you, too.”
He patted the spot beside him on the couch. “Wanna sit?”
She slid onto the sofa. “Where’s Matt and Simon?”
“Simon’s running errands, and Matt is getting ready to go over to Stephanie’s.”
She barely controlled the sigh of relief.
“Something bothering you?”
“No, not at all,” she said airily. “Just glad to be home.”
She sat in silence for a moment not concentrating on the cop show A.J. was watching. Glancing sideways at him, she said nonchalantly, “So what was the deal with Simon’s date with Starla?”
“Ahhh so that’s what’s bothering you.”
She growled under her breath. “No, it’s not bothering me. I was merely curious.”
“Uh huh. I hear you.”
“Well? Do you know anything or not?”
“He was closed mouthed about the whole thing. Didn’t stay out late, but wouldn’t say a word about what’s going on.”
She frowned. “What on earth is he thinking?”
A.J. shrugged. “Got me. He must have rocks in his head.”
“What am I going to do, A.J.?” she asked softly.
He gave her a sympathetic look. “I don’t know, but you better get on the stick.”
She leaned her head back and stared up at the ceiling. “I can’t compete with her.” She turned slightly to look at A.J.
“Please,” he said giving her an incredulous look. “She doesn’t have anything on you.”
“I can think of at least one thing.”
“At the risk of pissing you off again, I have to ask, because if I’m right, you’ve been hung up on Simon for a long time, and yet you got pregnant just a few months ago.”
“Yeah, it’s twisted, I know,” she said bleakly. “Do you think I’ve ruined my chances?”
“Tell you what,” he said suddenly sitting up. “Matt is going over to Steph’s in a few minutes, and Simon is due back shortly. I think I’ll head out for the evening so the two of you are alone for a few hours. Make the most of it, okay?”
He got up and ruffled her hair as he walked by to his room. At the doorway he paused. “It wouldn’t hurt to wear one of those cute little tops. I never knew you had such an impressive bosom.” He winked and disappeared through the door.
Toni rolled her eyes and laughed. Why couldn’t she have fallen for A.J.? He, at least, found her attractive. Well, if she hoped to make Simon forget all about Starla, she better get up and shower. Right now she smelled like a wet dog.
Foregoing her usual shower, she drew a tub full of water and submerged in the fragrant bubbles of her favorite bath liquid. An hour later, she stepped from the tub, wrapping a towel around her and securing the ends under her arm.
She opted for the white T-shirt and gym shorts, and once again left off the bra. She towel dried her hair, leaving it slightly damp and curling rebelliously. She ventured back into the kitchen, and looked out the window to see Simon’s truck in the drive.
The combination of her erratic eating habits over the last two days, and the prolonged warm bath was making her feel lightheaded. She needed to eat something. She rifled through the cabinets, deciding on a can of soup.
Taking out the can opener, she started to remove the top when Simon’s voice startled her.
“Hey, Toni.”
She whirled around and instantly regretted her actions. The room spun crazily out of control, and she swayed as she attempted to right her equilibrium.
Simon rushed forward, catching her just as her knees buckled. “Toni, what’s wrong?” His voice was urgent as he swept her up in his arms and strode to the couch.
“Do you need me to call an ambulance?” he asked as he gently laid her down.
His worried face came into focus as the room stopped spinning.
“No. No, I’m fine,” she hastily assured him.
“You don’t look fine,” he said doubtfully. “Maybe I should take you to the hospital.”
“I just need to eat something. I haven’t eaten anything today.”
“Why not?” he demanded, his face becoming stern. “What the hell are you thinking?”
“I know. It was stupid.”
“Don’t move,” he ordered. “I’ll be right back with some soup.”
He hurried back to the kitchen, leaving her lying on the couch. A few minutes later he pressed a warm cup in her hands and put an arm around her shoulders to lift her up.
She sipped at the soup, feeling its warmth trail down her throat to her stomach.
“You’ve got to start taking better care of yourself,” he said reproachfully.
He took the cup when she was finished and set it on the coffee table then eased her back onto the couch with the arm that was still supporting her back.
She reached a hand up and placed it on his chest. “Thank you,” she whispered.
