“Have you found an obstetrician yet?” he asked.
“I had one in L.A.. She was my OB/Gyno, so she was going to deliver the baby. But I need to sort it out now that I’m down here. Ember can probably help recommend someone.”
“I know a couple of good ones at the hospital. I can set up an appointment for you.” He leaned forward.
“Do you know if they take credit cards?” Harper asked. “Because I don’t have medical insurance right now.”
He frowned. “I’ve got it covered. I get a discount from the hospital because I’m an employee. You don’t need to worry about the cost.”
She gave him a close-lipped smile. “It’s okay. I’ll cover it somehow.” Even if she’d be paying it off for the rest of her life. From the time she’d left home at the age of eighteen she hadn’t relied on anybody else’s help. But now she seemed to be leaning on everybody.
She didn’t like the way it made her feel so helpless.
“I have money, Harper. Maybe that’s all I’ve got. I’m just as responsible for this baby as you are. I’d like to pay my portion, especially since you’re doing all the heavy lifting.”
“I just don’t like being beholden to anybody. I’m not a gold digger.”
He frowned. “I never said you were.”
No, but she knew how people thought. Knew that gossip spread like wildfire, and that certain women saw rich men as their ticket to an easy life. She was never going to be that kind of person.
Not like her mom.
“Just think about it,” he said, his voice low. “Babies are expensive. Having them, bringing them up, all of it adds up. I don’t expect you to pay for all of it. This child is my responsibility, too.”
“Okay,” she said softly. “I’ll think about it.”
He nodded, but said nothing more. Silence hung in the air like a curtain, cutting the connection between the two of them. Harper tried to find her equilibrium, ignoring the nagging tug of her stomach.
“I’m sorry,” she finally said. “I’m just not good at accepting help.”
He raised an eyebrow. “I got that impression.”
“I didn’t tell you about the baby because I want your money. I don’t expect it, not at all. I just thought you had the right to know.”
“It’s okay. I was a little insensitive. I’m sorry, too.” He watched as she finished her coffee and put the cup down on the table. “Would you like to get out of here?” he asked her. “Maybe take a walk along the beach?”
She gave him the faintest of smiles. “Yeah, I would. A walk sounds really good.”
10
“Tell me about yourself,” James said as they made their way along the surf. To their left were a series of dunes. The golden sand dusted over blades of grass as they gave way to the flats and finally the houses overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It was prime real estate here; he and Sara had looked at a couple of houses along the beachfront before deciding they preferred the views from the cliffs. But he could see their appeal – the view from these houses were amazing, just golden sand and deep blue ocean stretching out for miles. It was peaceful and yet thrilling.
“You probably know everything worth knowing,” Harper said. He liked the way she kicked through the water, not caring about the spray hitting her rolled up jeans. He was carrying both their shoes – his in one hand, hers in the other, but part of him wished he had an arm free to slide around her waist and hold her closer.
“Not really. Where were you born?”
“Connecticut.”
“Is your family still there?”
Harper wrinkled her nose. “My dad died when I was little. I was mostly brought up by my grandma – his mom. As for my mom, she’s around somewhere. I guess wherever the latest boyfriend wants her to be.”
Her voice was light but he could hear the hurt in it.
“So how did you end up in Hollywood?”
“It’s a long story.”