Anxiousness rises, and I shove it down.
Itwillwork out.
I can make my own way. I’ve been doing it for years.
We walk to the elevator and get in. I punch our floor. “Tuck isn’t interested in long term, and babies are forever. He doesn’twantto know.”
“You can’t be sure.”
I stiffen, frustration rising as I face her in the elevator. “Cece. Think about it. He’s famous. Everyone knows him. He’s on television. What if he completely rejects her as a person? What if he never wants to see her—and she knows? How do I explain that to her?” Tears pool in my eyes. “I know what that’s like, okay. I don’t want it for her.”
A sigh comes from her. “But, honey,you’vealways wondered about your parents. Maybe it’s better to know something and be sad than know nothing at all.”
“I turned out okay,” I say faintly as I finger the locket around my neck. Someday I’ll put the baby’s picture in it. I’ll have her name engraved below mine on the back. When she asks about her father, I’ll ...
I don’t know what I’ll do.
My stomach flutters again, and I gasp. The first time I thought it was a fluke, but ...
I grab Cece’s hand and put it on my belly. “She’s moving! Isn’t it too early?” I fumble with my phone and look up when a baby kicks, excitement rising as I read. “It can happen!”
Cece squeals and bends down to my stomach. “Hi, sweetie pie. This is your auntie Cece. Someday I’ll buy you a debutante dress. White. You’ll shine, baby girl.”
We didn’t notice the doors opening on our floor. Both of us are smiling down at my belly as Cece coos. It’s the throat clearing of Widow Carnes that makes my eyes fly up.
Darden also waits for the elevator. He weaves on his feet, then straightens and points his cane at me. “MissLane! You’re pregnant?” I’ve never seen him gasp like a fish, mouth opening and closing, but it’s happening.
Widow Carnes lets out a grunt. “I knew I overheard Herman say something!”
“She is,” Cece says sweetly, and I groan.
“Thanks, Cece. Really. Now the entire building will know!” I call out.
Widow Carnes blinks innocently. “But why do you mind, dear? People are more modern these days. No one cares.”
“I care,” I mutter.
Darden glares at Widow Carnes. “This doesn’t leave the four of us.”
“Of course, Felix.” She bats her lashes at him. “I hope this means you’ll be coming to our next book club in the lobby, yes? We can sit together.”
“What’s the book again?” he practically spits.
“The Notebook. History and a little romance. You’ll love it.” She titters.
“Heavy on romance,” I correct. “He’ll hate it.”
He looks at the ceiling, then tersely agrees. She smiles at him, gets on the elevator, and leaves.
“You never let me call you Felix,” I mutter to Darden, hoping to distract him from the pregnant girl in the hall.
He turns to me, clearly not going wherever he had planned. I swallow, feeling like a teenager in front of her dad.Yes, I had sex. Yes, I’m pregnant.
“Well, MissLane, this certainly explains a few things. Who’s the father? I’d like a word with him. Now!”
My stomach flutters again, and I gasp. “Oh! She moved again. Probably because you yelled, Mr.Darden.”
He blinks at me, dumbfounded. “What?”