I move to him and kiss his cheek. “Thank you.”
“Anytime.” He takes my hand and slips my engagement ring on, kissing my finger.
“Holy Shit! Let me see that!” Claire semi-whispers and yanks my hand to her face. “The picture didn’t do it justice. This is incredible.”
“Thank you.” Heat creeps up my neck.
“Shit, Shaw, this is a bit much, don’t you think? She’s a nurse and can’t wear this at work.”
“Nothing is too much. And I’ll be sure to pick out a band she can wear to work.”
“Not quite
so ostentatious?”
“Claire!” I snap at her.
“I didn’t say that. It’s going to send a message that she is taken, but it’ll be appropriate for work.” Shaw flashes a cocky grin and wiggles his eyebrows.
“You two are ridiculous!” I tug my hand back from her and go behind the desk to work on my charts. “Especially coming from a woman who got a fancy new watch.”
She leans over the desk and shoves her wrist in my face. It really is beautiful. Gail did an amazing job. “I love it,” I tell her honestly.
“How much longer do you have?” Shaw asks, looking at his own watch.
“About thirty minutes of charts then a few quick goodbyes. I already talked to most of the staff.”
“Okay, I’m going to head downstairs where it’s more private. It’s time for me to call.”
“Good luck.” I lean in and give him a quick kiss.
“What’s that about?” Claire asks when he steps into the elevator.
“He tries to call Sasha every day around this time.”
“How’s that going?”
“Well, besides the fact that she texts him at least ten times a day and calls at random times with loads of personal questions, it’s been fine. We’re convinced she knows he’s with me, but he refuses to get into any arguments with her.”
“So, if she calls all day, why does he call her?”
“He’s keeping the peace. It’s his way of showing he’s thinking about the baby and wants to check in. She may call him all the time, but that doesn’t mean he answers. Most of the time, he drives the call to voicemail. Believe it or not, he’s been slammed with work, so he can honestly tell her he’s busy.”
“What a mess.”
“Yes, but he’s dealing. I’m dealing. We have about thirteen more weeks until the baby is due then comes a new round of challenges.”
“How are you feeling? And don’t hand me any bullshit.”
I glance around and notice a few nurses wandering around, but no one is within earshot. She comes around the desk and props against the counter, facing me. Her expression is full of concern as her eyes roam over my face.
“I’d be lying if I didn’t have some trepidation about what we’re facing when we get back to Miami, but I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. We’re going to have to find a way to move forward. I’ve known for a long time, staying with Shaw would mean mine and Sasha’s lives would be interconnected. There was some resentment on my part, but it’s gone now. The truth is the truth. I may despise her, but I love that little boy.”
“Really?”
“Yes, it’s hard to explain, but he’s a part of Shaw, and Shaw loves him, so I do, too. It’s hard not to. There’s no denying we’ll have to finesse this. She’s likely to go bat shit crazy, but my things are being moved to the condo next week. We’re getting married. We’re in love. She can’t change that, so we’ll have to find a way to come to terms.”
“How the hell are you so calm about this?”