page25 (2/2)

“So how have you been?” Ryan asked, as if speaking to someone he’d just met

Phoebe gave hi look Ryan couldn’t see it because his focus was on the computer Other than those few seconds when their eyes had ain

“Any pains?”

Just in her heart all of a sudden “No”

“Well, it won’t be long now”

Why was he talking to her like that? As if he didn’t really know her? Was he afraid soht walk in on them? “No, it won’t Next week is my due date”

He finally looked up but his focus was over her right shoulder “You know that the chance of a baby co on a due date is slim A first baby is almost always late”

“I know” This all business attitude was getting old “How are you, Ryan? I’ve missed you this week”

He went back to studying the cos a little complicated”

Apparently their relationship was included in that

“Any chance we could get so?”

“I have ato the unit as soon as I’m finished here”

Phoebe had never received the brush-off before but she recognized it when she heard it I won’t

cry, I won’t cry She clenched her teeth

Ryan was acting as if they’d never been intimate But they were at the clinic and he should act professionally But he was overdoing it

He left without giving her another look

What had happened between now and Saturday uy she’dto find out as going on

She was prepared and waiting on the table when he returned He wasn’t by himself A woman in her mid-twenties followed him into the room

“Phoebe, this is Stacy She’s the neho has joined our group Would you be willing to let her do the exam?”

She looked at hiaze Now he didn’t even want to touch her

“All right” Phoebe drew the words out

Stacy stepped to the table “Phoebe, entle hands”

Phoebe said nothing She knew gentle hands and those belonged to Ryan

As Stacy’s hand moved over her expanded middle, she rattled off some numbers while Ryan typed on the computer

“Well, you’re doing fine Everything is as it should be I don’t see why you won’t have an uneventful delivery,” Stacy gushed “I look forward to being there”

“What?” Phoebe looked at Ryan Nothing was as it should be

He looked over her head as he spoke “Stacy is going to step in forsome of my patients”

Stacy was all smiles when she said, “I’ll see you here next week for your appointment or at the delivery, whichever comes first Do you have any questions for us?”

Yes, she had a pile of questions but none that she could ask in front of Stacy

“No” ca weak

“Okay, then I’ll see you next week,” Stacy said, without see to notice the tension between her and Ryan

He opened the door and left without even looking at her Stacy followed