"Are you going to be okay here alone?" Reed whispered to her, his hand on her knee.

Teagan nodded. "Go. You're the star."

He smiled, placed a kiss on her cheek, then stood and moved toward the aisle. He was heading backstage to prepare for the question and answer panel with journalists about the movie. Teagan watched him go, trying not to be too obvious about admiring his backside. He looked freaking amazing in his tuxedo.

When he got to the aisle, he turned back to face her and winked.

She could feel her cheeks heating as she blushed, smiling back at him. Even in little actions like that—him taking a moment to give her that attention—was a new trait for him. The way he publicly professed his love for her at any chance he got…she didn't know what to do with that. He'd never before been the type to put his own image aside to prioritize her.

The man she'd dated in college had been loving and sweet, but he'd still been an early twenties male who tended to err on the side of selfish more often than not. At the time, she had never really noticed because she'd been the same age and the same level (or lack thereof) of maturity. But the last eight years had been a growing process for her, both forced through circumstances, and naturally through age.

When they’d first met again at the beginning of filming Break Down, she had been able to tell that he’d grown some. He was definitely trying to change, wanting to change…but had he? She’d not seen enough proof back then to dive headfirst. Her instinct had been telling her to hold back, and it turned out her instinct was spot on. The moment they’d hit a roadblock—one stupid tabloid article—he'd gone right back to his old ways.

So, as much as she wanted to believe him this time, she was terrified for the moment when things got too tough, too raw, too real, too hard…and then he'd leave. He'd disappoint her again.

She wasn't sure she could survive it, and she had someone else to think about now.

Teagan sighed. A pressure in her abdomen had her deciding to take a bathroom break before the festivities started. She maneuvered down the row of chairs and headed out of the theatre. The ushers sent someone to fill her seat while she was gone—such an odd practice she still wasn't used to.

"Hey!" Steele, her makeup artist spotted her in the lobby. "How's the movie?"

"It just finished and they're starting commentary and panels," she explained, still heading in the direction of the bathroom. "I'm taking a bathroom break."

"Oh, perfect," Steele replied. "Gives me a chance to touch up your makeup."

"Be my guest." Teagan motioned for her to follow, but she definitely needed to go to the bathroom quickly. She was already feeling a pain in her abdomen, pressure on her bladder, and was starting to panic that she wouldn't make it. She'd barely had anything to drink, so she wasn't sure why she had to go so badly.

Rushing into the stall, she reached for the bottom hem of her long dress and began to pull it up her legs. A red smear across the inner side of her ankle caught her attention, and as she continued lifting her dress, she realized it went all the way up her leg.

Teagan's vision began to blur as a lightheaded sensation assaulted her. Reaching between her legs, she confirmed her fears and her legs began to shake. She was bleeding.

"Steele?" she called out.

"I'm all set up when you're ready," Steele called back. "I've got a gorgeous new set of brushes you're going to love."

"Steele…" Teagan's voice trembled, and she clutched the railing in the bathroom stall in an attempt to stay standing. "I need help."

"Oh, you need someone to hold your dress?" Steele's shoes came up at the bottom of the stall. "Unlock the door. I got you, girl. Wouldn’t be my first time."

Teagan reached out and clicked the lock, but her legs gave out and she slid to the hard tile floor the moment the door swung open. Everything was beginning to feel fuzzy, and cramps were beginning to set in, making her gasp in pain.

"Oh my, God! Teagan!" Steele shrieked, quickly scurrying to her side and holding Teagan against her chest. "What the hell happened? Holy shit…are you pregnant?"

Teagan nodded slowly, but she wasn't sure she could find her words. "Call…call Reed."

She closed her eyes, concentrating on breathing through the pain, or at least trying to…until everything went black.