Read Online The Price of Fame: A Price Novel (The Price Novels Book 2) by Maggi Craft - Free Book Online Page B

you were, any day.”
    She laughed and grabbed my hand, dragging me to the kitchen. “I cooked.”
    “I see that. What is it?”
    “Spaghetti. Not fancy, but safe.” She handed me the plates, and I set the table while she finished the salad.
    “Smells delicious, and I’m starving.”
    We sat to eat, and she started telling me about her last shift. And it was like a switch flipped midstory. She grew pale and started talking more slowly.
    “What’s the matter?”
    She covered her nose and mouth and pointed at the Parmesan cheese I’d poured all over my food.
    “Smell?”
    She nodded and ran to the bathroom.
    “Damn,” I muttered.
    I didn’t want to let her dinner go to waste, so I ate my food and cleaned up the kitchen, saving her a plate for later, minus the Parmesan cheese.
    I went to check on her, and she was sound asleep in our bed. I showered and joined her and turned on Netflix. Halfway through my movie, she woke up. “You all right?” I asked, rubbing her face.
    “Mm-hmmm. I’m sorry. I really do prefer being human.” She scooted closer, laying her head on my chest.
    I laughed and pulled her closer still. “And you will again. I promise.”
    “I have a doctor’s appointment on Friday. You think you can go? Or should I reschedule?”
    “What time? I don’t have to be at the studio until noon.”
    “Eight.”
    “Perfect.” I squeezed her. “Maybe after that we can tell Mom. Maybe even show her the ultrasound picture.”
    “Yeah, maybe.”
    “Why don’t you want to tell my mom?”
    “I don’t know. I guess I’m not ready. She’s gonna freak out and start planning its whole life right away. I’m not ready for anyone at the hospital finding out yet.”
    “How do they not know already? You’ve been sick around the clock.”
    “It’s usually better during the day. And if I feel sick, I go throw up as discreetly as possible.”
    “So, what are you thinking about, as far as a name?”
    She looked at me like that was the first time naming the baby had crossed her mind. “I don’t have any idea. Can we wait on that too?”
    “I guess, but at some point everyone will be able to tell, and we will have to name this baby.” I smiled at her. “Or I’ll name it. Something awesome, like Maximus or Brutus.”
    She laughed a little and poked my side. “I know, but not today. Let’s just relax and spend time together and not think or talk about babies for now.”
    The doctor visit was quick. They didn’t do an ultrasound, which was disappointing. I wanted to see our baby, but I guessed I could wait a few more weeks.
    Her doctor said Arden needed to take it easy. She needed less stress right now. She had lost weight, and she needed to take better care of herself.
    Arden cried on the way home. “How in the hell am I going to reduce stress in my life? I go thirty-six hours sometimes without sleep and sometimes twelve to eighteen without food. How am I supposed to take better care of myself?”
    “I don’t know, but you’re going to have to figure it out. You have to stop being selfish. It’s not about just you anymore.” When I saw her face, I knew I had hurt her feelings, but I didn’t care. This was out of control. I knew it was her body, but this was my child too.
    A few days later, I came home to find her in bed in the middle of the day. She had been off since the evening before, and she usually didn’t lie in bed all day. I figured she must have been sick again. She was awake, but she didn’t speak to me when I came in.
    I sat down by her on the bed. “How are you feeling?” She didn’t answer me, but a tear rolled down her cheek. I noticed that she was still in her scrubs, and she had makeup all over her face. She must have been there for close to twenty-four hours. I felt my chest tighten. I didn’t even have to wait. I knew what she was going to tell me.
    She whispered, “I lost the baby.” More tears ran down her cheeks, but she didn’t make a sound. I didn’t know what