The Baby of Their Dreams (Contemporary Medical Romance) by Carol Marinelli Page A

brilliant mum,’ Gemma said, ‘and, no matter how awkward things are between you and Dominic, I’m sure that you’ll sort it out as best you can.’
    After Cat had stood up and done up her dress, Gemma handed her the recording of the ultrasound and Cat put it in her bag.
    ‘Good luck.’ Gemma smiled.
    ‘I’ll need it.’ She glanced at the clock. ‘He’s going to think I’ve stood him up.’
    ‘He knows you’ve got an antenatal appointment?’ Gemma checked, and Cat nodded. ‘Well, surely he knows they don’t run like clockwork...’
    ‘Mike was always—’
    ‘That was Mike,’ Gemma said.
    And this was Dominic.
    ‘Hey, Cat,’ Gemma said as she went to go. ‘When you saw him again, did you still fancy him?’
    ‘Moot point—I don’t fancy married men.’
    ‘Did you still fancy him?’ Gemma persisted.
    ‘Yes,’ she admitted, ‘but that’s for this office only. The day I sit crying to my friend about whether or not I sleep with him because, of course, he and his wife never do it, or I start saying, he’s going to leave his wife after Christmas...you have my permission to shoot me.’
    ‘I shall and can you tell him from me that he’s an utter bastard,’ Gemma said.
    ‘Oh, I shall.’
    Trust Gemma to make her laugh, Cat thought as she walked the short distance to Oliver’s. She was calmer than she’d expected to be as she stepped inside.
    There was Dominic, sitting with a glass of wine and looking rather more rumpled than he had that morning. His tie was off, the top button of his shirt undone and his eyes were black with loathing as Cat made her way over.
    She didn’t expect him to stand for her.
    Very deliberately he didn’t.
    It was a bit like walking into the headmaster’s office, Cat thought, but refused to be rattled. She shook off her coat and put it on the low bench opposite him and then took a seat.
    ‘Sorry, I’m a bit late. Gemma was running—’
    ‘It’s fine.’
    Cat blinked at the ease of his acceptance.
    It wasn’t her timekeeping that was Dominic’s concern!
    ‘How was the appointment?’
    ‘All’s well,’ Cat said.
    ‘She’s a good friend?’ Dominic asked, and Cat nodded as she bristled in instant defence.
    ‘Are you going to ask if that’s wise?’ she checked.
    Dominic said nothing and she continued.
    ‘Everybody seems to question whether or not I’m sensible to be seeing a friend, but—’ Only then did he interrupt.
    ‘You’re a consultant and, from everything I heard at my interview and everything I’ve seen, you’re meticulous and thorough, possibly a bit obsessive about certain details. I’m quite sure you’ve given your choice of obstetrician very careful thought. I’m sure your friend and you both discussed the pros and the cons of having her. I don’t think there’s anything I can add that you haven’t already thought through.’
    Cat felt the little bubble of indignation that she had around that topic deflate a touch.
    ‘She’s excellent.’
    ‘I’m sure she is.’
    ‘Have you heard from Andrew?’ Cat asked.
    ‘Nope,’ Dominic said. ‘I’m not really expecting to hear positive news. I’m quite sure you’ve had, or will be having, a quiet word in his ear...’ He watched the colour mount on her cheeks as a waiter poured Cat some water and gave them menus. ‘Though, if you haven’t already, please think long and hard before you do. I assume you live close to work?’
    ‘Sorry?’
    ‘I’m just thinking for handovers and things.’
    ‘Handovers?’
    ‘Access visits, or whatever they’re called.’ Then he raised his voice just a fraction and the pink on her cheeks moved to a burning red. ‘If we work at the same place, then it might make it a little easier when I want to spend time with
my
child!’
    ‘I was going to tell you—’ Cat attempted, but she didn’t get very far.
    ‘When it turned eighteen?’ He shook his head. He clearly didn’t believe her and she couldn’t really blame him a bit for that. ‘I