Page 26 of Reticent

Hunter follows me. If it wasn’t for him standing by my side at all times during this tour, no one would think we were together. We barely spoke to each other. Correction, I barely talked to him during the tour.

“We have one more stop,” he says to my surprise.

“We do?” I drop my keys back into my purse.

“A friend of mine recommended the deluxe birthing suite. I think we should check it out.”

“Hunter? Yasmine?”

We both turn our heads to a woman in a business suit calling our names.

“I’m Uma, the hospital administrator.” We shake her ice-cold hand, exchanging pleasant greetings. “The suite is just this way.” She gestures to a set of double doors with a key card entrance.

I don’t know who his friend is or how much this will cost, but my insurance won’t cover it. As if he can sense my reluctance, he puts his hand on my lower back and gives me an assuring nod. I have half a mind to slide away from his touch, but I decide to let it go. I’ll also let him pay for what I know will be an expensive upgrade.

* * *

The deluxe suite resembles a luxury studio apartment, with all its medical equipment blending into the walls. The amenities in the brochure have me dumbfounded.

Twenty-four-hour concierge. A tuxedo-clad chef. Spa-style pampering for mom and baby. A warming bed for the baby. Private bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub and birthing balls. Flat-screen televisions. Satellite radio. Surround sound.

I play it cool, trying to match Hunter’s attitude as if what they’re offering is a bare-minimum expectation. I drop the act when Uma leaves the suite to give us a few minutes to discuss our options. “A private chef? In a tuxedo? Are they for real?”

Hunter stands with his back to the wall, reading through the brochure. “I’m going to be a little busy, but I can still wear a tuxedo if you’d prefer.”

I roll my eyes and turn from him, leaning over an elaborate vase of flowers to smell their fragrance.

“What do you think about the suite?” he asked.

I give the room another once-over before meeting his expectant gaze. “It’s a lot of room for just us. Will your family be joining us for the birth?”

His three brothers live out of state, but if I’m not mistaken, his mother still lives in the area.

“Just my mom. I’m the first one to give her a grandchild.”

“Are any of your brothers married?”

“No. I was the only one stupid enough to get married.”

That’s a lot to unpack. “Well … I can see why your mom is on you about giving her a grandchild. You are old.”

His brows dip over narrowed eyes. “I’m the youngest of my brothers. I’m not that old.”

“Meh.” I shrug.

“What about your family? I’m assuming your parents are flying in?”

“There’s no way my dad is coming.”

He slants his head. “Why not?”

“We have a complicated relationship.”

“And your mother?”

“Overdose.”

“I didn’t know that. I’m sorry.”