Hadley nodded, and the three of us walked out of the room. Rebecca wasn't far behind, of course. Her presence was like a lead weight around both our necks. As we walked down the stairs, she was still on our heels and followed us to the front door. Finally, I'd had enough, so I turned around to face her.
“You don't have to walk with me, Rebecca,” I said.
“What if I want to say goodbye?” she said.
“Goodbye,” I said. “There, we've said it.”
She stared at me, her jaw on the floor, but she stayed put as Hadley and I left the house. We walked quietly to our vehicles, but I stopped as soon as I got to hers, opening the door for her to put Grayson in his car seat.
“What did you want to tell me earlier?” I asked.
“Uh, well,” she stammered, looking at her son in his seat, “I'd rather if we discussed this another time. When we're alone.”
“Why don't you come over to the guest house after putting him to bed,” I said.
She buckled Grayson in his seat and closed the door, I opened the front door for her. She still hadn't answered me, and I could tell she was stalling. Whatever it was, it seemed to be bothering her a great deal. Even more reason for us to talk, so I could figure out what was going on and try to help her. If she wanted to talk to me, well, I'd make sure it happened.
“My door is always open for you, Hadley. Come by anytime,” I said.
As we stood there, staring into each other's eyes, I had the urge to kiss her. I shoved my hands in my pockets and stepped away, resisting the urge – though, it wasn't easy. I could have sworn there was a look of disappointment on her face as I stepped back.
“I'll be by soon, Evan,” she said. “I just need some time.”
“Of course,” I said.
She went to get into the car, but I stopped her. I leaned forward and brushed my lips against her cheek, wishing it was her lips instead. When I pulled away, she was blushing, but smiling.
“Take care of yourself, Hadley,” I said.
“You too, Evan,” she said.
She got in her car and drove away. I was behind her, headed in the same direction, but going somewhere else entirely. All I could do was hope that she stopped by soon.
***
I was on my computer, reading over some emails at almost midnight when there was a light knock on the front door. Given how late it was, I knew who it was before I even opened the door.
“It's unlocked,” I said, hurrying to get to the front door.
The door opened and in walked Hadley wearing nothing but a cute pair of gray shorts with a matching tank top that with penguins on it. Her hair was pulled back in a messy bun, her skin free of all makeup. Yet, she was still the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen. Especially with the way that tank top barely covered her breasts, showing off her ample cleavage without her even trying.
“Sorry it's late, but I saw the light was still on in here, so I thought you might still be up,” she said.
“Yeah, working late,” I said.
“Should I go, then?”
“Oh no,” I said, slamming my laptop shut. “It's nothing important. What's up?”
Neither one of us took a seat, even though there was ample seating in the living room of the guest house. Hadley wrung her hands and stared at her feet, biting her lip as if she couldn't find the words to say what was on her mind.
“I'm not sure if I should be telling you this now, especially since the others need to know too,” she stammered.
“Tell us what?” I asked. “I just need to tell someone, and well, you've always been the easiest one to talk to,” she said.
An ominous feeling of dread stole over me, seeing how visibly shaken she was. Hadley started pacing the room, but then turned back to me and blurted out two words that rocked me to my core.
“I'm pregnant,” she said without preamble.