Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Freya
F reya thought she was going to have a heart attack. The palpitations were making her heart pound out of her chest.
“All right, babe, pull down the front of your dress,” Heidi said.
Freya did as she was asked.
“Oh, that’s a nice bra. Did it come with matching panties?” Heidi asked.
Freya was too panicked to answer and looked at the equipment in the room.
They were in her nurse’s room. Freya eyed the bed with stirrups with caution. It was enough to put her off having children. Freya didn’t mention anything because Erica was sitting on a chair, stroking her belly, looking at the bed with unadulterated fear.
Heidi lifted the end of the stethoscope and placed it on Freya’s chest .
“Bloody hell, warn a girl. That’s freezing.”
Heidi laughed, brought the circular end to her mouth and, breathed on it, then placed it back on Freya’s chest. It was no warmer. Heidi listened as she looked left and right, not directly at Freya. Was this good news or bad news? Then she took it away and, like all doctors, and slung it around her neck.
“Well? Do I need a cardiogram?”
“No, you need a paper bag. You’re having a panic attack.”
“Is that all?” Erica piped up from her side.
Freya swung to face Erica. “Isn’t that bad?”
“Nah, I always had them before I went up for an award or had to walk the red carpet. They have people backstage just for the very purpose of calming us the fuck down. It’s not life or death, but the wrong pose and your career can be over.”
“Yikes. So tell us, what has your heart all a flutter?” Heidi asked way too innocently.
“Nothing,” Freya said quietly, pulling her dress back up her shoulders and turning so Erica could zip her up.
“Come on, you burst into my antenatal appointment and declared you’re having a heart attack.”
“Sorry, but you did text to say you were done for the day and could gossip.”
“True.”
“Luke knows there is no fiancé,” Freya blurted.
“Oh?” Heidi said, grinning. “How did he find out?”
“Something about me never keeping secrets from him.”
“I bet there was something else, but you are a shit liar,” Heidi commented.
“I feel… I don’t know how I feel.”
“About lying?”
“No, not the lying… ”
“Freya, what happened?” Erica said.
They scooted closer.
“He got close,” Freya said.
“Did he kiss you?” Erica asked, all swoony.
“No, well, no more than the usual head kiss, but it seemed this one was in slow motion, and we were chest to chest with his arm wrapped tight around me.”
Heidi put her hand on Freya’s knee. She felt grounded, and her heart was slowing.
“You’ve been in love with him for forever. Why are you freaked?”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve mooned over Luke Turner,” Freya said.
“Granted, it might be a few years, but you two are thick as thieves,” Heidi said.
“I know, but he has never held me like that before. It felt intimate.”
“And he didn’t kiss you?” Erica pushed.
“No. Luke wants to meet for dinner tomorrow to go through some papers for our latest puzzle. Some family thing. Did you know he can throw clay and make pottery?” Freya asked Heidi.
“No, is he good?” Heidi asked.
Freya chuckled at her question and then reddened as she associated it with sex.
“Was it like a scene from Ghost?” Erica asked, gushing with hearts in her eyes.
“Oh man, you’ve been in movies too long. But yes, it was kinda intimate too. Fingers sliding together. Luke was as close as you would be on a motorcycle behind me. I was mesmerised by his skill.”
Erica shifted on her seat and said, “Maybe I should get Archer to pottery class. ”
Freya harrumphed. “Can we focus, ladies?”
“It sounds like he might be into you when you’ve stopped being into him. Timing sucks. Just tell him you don’t like him being this touchy-feely,” Heidi said.
“Well, I didn’t say that,” Freya hedged.
“I knew it. You’re hot for him. Just think, if you two get married, we’ll be neighbours. We’ll all be neighbours raising our families. Our kids will be cousins and grow up together. The cottages will be filled with laughter,” Erica said.
Her wistful musings had her staring off into the distance.
“Slow the hell down, hormone lady,” Freya said. “He may not be into me.”
Erica and Heidi shared a look.
Heidi broke the staring contest and brought her eyes to Freya. “I bet that ring on your finger stays there when you say your vows to Luke Turner. You heard it here first.”
Erica nodded, tears dripping down her cheeks, and swung her back to the bed with stirrups.
“How long do these hormones last?” Freya said to Erica.
“Until menopause, apparently, then they turn to rage hormones. Embrace the happy tears while you can.”
They all laughed at Erica’s over-the-top emotion.