Plan Overboard (Toronto Series #14) by Wardell Heather

Author:Wardell, Heather
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: beach, music, toronto, cruise, clarinet, orchestra audition
Publisher: Heather Wardell

Chapter Eighteen

"Well, maybe he will come back, once he hears about your baby."

I shake my head. "Come on, Laura, give me a break. He didn't want to know I was pregnant, so why will it be any different when the baby shows up?"

Laura doesn't answer this, but she frowns at me. "You okay?"

I blink. I'm not, actually. In the nearly two weeks since I saw those pictures of Austin I haven't been able to stop thinking about him and it hurts. I don't want to miss him but I can't help it. "Other than that I'll never see him again? Yeah. Why do you ask?"

"You're rubbing your belly and you don't usually do that."

I look down, surprised. "I don't know. It feels extra-tight today, I guess. It's extra-tight and I am extra-tired."

She laughs. "Well, just don't have the baby right here. I'm not sure coffee shop workers are trained to deliver."

"Pizza delivery guys are trained to deliver."

We giggle, and she says, "So you think you're having a pizza?"

"I'm not sure I care what it is any more, as long as it gets out soon." I rub my huge stomach again. "I'm about done with this."

"I hear you." She sips her iced tea, then says too casually, "So, I have a question for you."

I raise my eyebrows and wait.

She rubs her lips together. "Do you think Austin would have made a good father?"

My already-sick-feeling stomach twists even more, but the tears in her eyes stop me from pointing out that asking me about the absent Austin's father potential is somewhat insensitive. "I don't know. Even if he were around, he might not be involved. It's my baby not his. Why? What's wrong?"

She swipes at an eye. "I know Grant can't be here physically, but... we Skyped last night. On for ten minutes and he didn't even ask how the baby's doing."

I grimace. "I guess he's busy there, but—"

"But his wife is about to have his baby," she snaps. "A little concern would be nice."

I lean back, raising my hands. "I agree. And I have it."

She squeezes her eyes shut, sending a tear down each cheek. "Sorry. Sorrysorrysorry. I'm obviously not mad at you."

"How could you be?" I say, trying to lighten the mood. "I'm delightful."

She bursts out with a startled laugh and grins at me as she brushes away her tears. "Indeed you are. But honestly, not a single question. As he was about to end the call I said 'By the way, the baby and I are fine' and he was all 'if you weren't you'd have said something', but still. Why did I have to bring it up? Doesn't he care?"

"Of course he does," I say though I haven't met him. "It's probably just his way of coping, to put it aside since he can't do anything about it."

"Well, that's stupid," she says flatly. "Talk about denial."

I stare at my water bottle and try to think of a response. Is it stupid? It's totally what I did with Austin. And even before him, with the music.

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