Chapter 1

My period was two months late, and Mom dragged me to the gynecologist in a panic.

When the door to the exam room opened, I nearly slid off my chair.

The doctor standing there was my ex, the one I'd dumped without a second thought two months ago.

He typed away with a frosty look. "Lie down on the exam table, pants down to your knees."

When I froze, he slipped on his gloves, strode over, hooked my waistband, and yanked my pants down.

As soon as the curtain was drawn, he took off his glasses and loomed over me, his lips, warm, grazed my earlobe. "We didn't finish last time, did we? Who's the lucky guy, huh?"

*****

Fate loved to play tricks on me. Of all times, I had to bump into my ex when I was a total mess.

The moment 'Robert Yates' name flashed on the waiting room screen, my heart nearly stopped.

'It must be someone else with the same name.' I gripped my registration slip, silently praying.

When I pushed open the exam room door, there he was, white coat, tall and sharp as ever. The moment I caught those familiar eyes behind his gold-rimmed glasses, my heart skipped a beat.

Robert didn't bother to look up from his keyboard, his voice cold as ice. "Name?"

He sounded like a stranger, as if we'd never known each other at all.

Robert kept up the cold front. "Yvonne Adler, right? What's wrong?"

'Seriously? Two months after we broke up and he's already pulling the total stranger act like it's second nature.

'Cold as ice. But I get it. I was way harsher to him when we split.'

I told him. "After we break up, don't even dream of seeing me again. Unless you're flat on your back in a hospital bed begging, maybe I'll think about dropping by."

Guess I totally jinxed myself with that one.

And now, look at me, flat on my back, just like I said, only I'm the one stuck here.

Robert's schedule was booked solid. I couldn't even get a slot. Mom had to throw twice the cash at it and wrestle one from a scalper, all so I could get this appointment.

I overheard some girls raving about how insanely good-looking the doctor was as they walked out. Turns out, the internet wasn't exaggerating.

Forget the meds, just getting his contact info would be enough. That face is so good-looking it's criminal.

I remember thinking, 'Seriously, are all guys named Robert this gorgeous? Had to see it with my own eyes.

'Now that I've seen him, yeah, it's almost illegal to look that good. Too bad, the only thing tragic here is my own situation.'

I was usually a smooth talker, but the second I walked into that exam room, my mind went totally blank. I couldn't get a word out.

But Mom was completely oblivious to the sparks flying between me and Robert.

She started making a scene, her voice echoing through the room. "Doctor, she hasn't had her period in two months. Either she's pregnant or something's really wrong. You have to give Yvonne a proper checkup."

'With this level of awkwardness, I could probably dig myself a pyramid and hide in it.'

"Alright, ma'am, we'll take it step by step," Robert said, all gentle professionalism. He was the picture of bedside manner, making everyone feel safe.

But I clearly saw him jotting in my chart: [Patient suspected of pregnancy, period delayed. Seamless transition is one thing, but getting pregnant with someone else's kid in just two months.]

'Wait, is that even something you can write in a medical record?'

"Do you have a boyfriend?" Robert asked.

It was just a standard question in gynecology, especially when it came to periods. They always wanted to know about your love life.

Before I could even open my mouth, Mom jumped in. "Oh, yes, she does. Yvonne and her boyfriend are crazy about each other. They're practically joined at the hip."

"Have you taken a pregnancy test?" Robert asked.

"Not yet. As soon as I realized her period was late, I rushed her over here. It's a nightmare trying to get an appointment these days," Mom cut in before I could answer.

"I see," Robert replied.