Page 4 of Quiet Beautiful Things

“Why would I refuse? I mean, it’ll help rule me out, right? And if by chance it… rules me in, well then it’s my own reckless fault and I’ll deal with the consequences.”

Trish’s head tilts, examining me as if taking measure. She’s slightly older than I am, maybe even in her early thirties, but it’s almost as if she’s looking at me as a proud parent would. “That’s mighty honorable of you. The other two took a bit more convincing.”

“Yeah, well, I’m no saint. Lucinda wasn’t the only one who slept her way through the student body at NYU. Guess maybe I wasn’t as careful as I thought I was. It would be my own stupid fault. Takes two to tango. So the kid would be what, four?”

“That’s correct. She’s four. Five at the end of the summer.”

I do the math in my head. It seems to work out. If I recall correctly, we met spring semester of senior year. Then I realize what Trish said.“She?Do you have a picture?”

“The child is a girl, but that’s all I’m at liberty to say. Her identity is being protected as she’s a minor. I’ll have more information to share should you be a match.”

“I guess let’s get on with it then.”

She stands. “I’ll get the nurse. She’ll need to see two forms of identification.”

I pull out my wallet. “Not a problem.”

She goes for the door and turns. “Thank you, Blake. You’ve made my job very easy today.”

I nod, then run my hands through my hair as she fetches the nurse. Because, shit… thirty minutes ago my only problem was figuring out who the dream girl at the supermarket was. And now… now I could be a fucking dad.

Chapter Three

3

Ellie

I put away my groceries, arrange the bundle of flowers, then look at all the boxes still piled against the living room wall. Where do I even start? I should have accepted Mom and Dad’s offer to help. But I wanted to do this on my own. This is my first real apartment—apart from the ones on various college campuses—and my first real job.

Yes, I’ve had lots of jobs before, but as a student teacher, or co-teacher, or a TA in grad school. Never anything like the one I’m about to start. And certainly never one that came with this kind of responsibility. But I can’t wait to get started.

Outside the window, it’s a beautiful spring afternoon, and I’m eager to explore the town. It’s the polar opposite of where I grew up in New York City. Life seems slower here. More peaceful.

My little sister, Beth, was concerned I wouldn’t have all the resources larger cities have to offer. I disagree. The school where I’m going to work is a wonderful resource. The rest will work itself out.

A jogger on the running trail that snakes behind my building catches my eye. I perk up when I see he’s got dark, unruly hair like the mystery guy from earlier. My heart does a little flip just thinking of the encounter. Then I sigh when the guy turns and I see it’s not him, the pang of disappointment in my stomach surprising me.

I sit on my couch, the only piece of furniture not covered in boxes, get out my phone, and type out a text.

Me: I swear to God I just met my future husband.

Beth: Eeek! And you’ve only been there for one day. Tell me more.

Me: Okay, so I may have exaggerated. We didn’t exactly meet.

Beth: I’m confused.

Me: Honestly, so am I. I was at the market. We saw one another from across the store. Our eyes locked on each other’s and it was like… OMG, it was like there was this instant connection. And then I saw him again out front. And then again in his car.

Beth: Ellie, are you sure the guy’s not a stalker?

Me: It’s not like that. I can’t even explain it. We were drawn to each other. It was something out of a movie. I’m telling you, something happened. Something amazing.

Beth: So, this future husband of yours. If you haven’t met him, you don’t know his name. If you don’t know his name, how can you ever expect to find him? Oh my gosh, Ellie. You could spend your whole life pining away for a guy you shared a look with.

Me: That’s the good thing about small towns, sis. I’d bet my right arm I’ll run into him again.

Beth: Well, if you do, don’t stand there and drool like a sniveling idiot, get his name for crying out loud.

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