Page 41 of Books and Hookups

“Yes.” Now she blushed. “Especially now that award season is over and I’m home most of the time. He treats me like a queen.”

“Good.” It was what she deserved after the treatment she got from her shitstain of an ex-husband.

“I brought you these.” She held up a shopping bag.

I peered inside. “What is it?” It looked like clothes. At least Carly’s taste was better than my mother’s. She only sent me dresses in the pastel colors she loved but I hated.

“Maternity clothes.”

I dropped the bag, and it hit the floor with a bang.

“You won’t need them for a while, but Andrew’s sister-in-law Alicia was getting rid of them, and they’re quality pieces. Work clothes, casual clothes, even an evening gown. Though you might have to have it taken up since she’s taller than you.” She scanned my face. “Just put them away in your closet for now. In a few months, you’ll be glad you have something that fits.”

Thatsounded like a problem for Future Lucie, one I was happy to ignore tonight. I picked up the bag and dumped it into the killer crib. “What’s the deal with baby goods? All I have to do is say I’m knocked up, and things show up at my place. Does anyone actually buy new stuff for babies, or have they all been wearing the same ten onesies manufactured in 1982?”

“That stuff is expensive, and kids grow quickly,” Carly said. “Accept as many gifts as you can. Growing up, we had a whole program going where the girl down the street would give me her cast-offs, then I’d give them to my younger cousin. Though…” She winked at Andrew. “I don’t think everyone shared that experience. I can’t imagine Audrey Jones accepting hand-me-downs. Did you ever wear hand-me-downs, sugar?”

“Not really.” He brightened. “I had a pair of jeans I wore until they got holes in the knees.”

Carly and I exchanged a glance. “That’s not the same thing, honey. Anyway, Lucie, if you find you need something else, I know all the good resale shops.”

Baby things were already piled to the top of the crib. Anything more, and it’d tower over my desk.

I changed the subject. “Where do you want to go for dinner? There’s a good Italian place, a dive where they serve fantastic pizza, and a Thai place, though it hasn’t been as great since the original owners sold it and moved to San Diego.”

“I heard there’s a pop-up supper club near here tonight,” Andrew said.

“A what?” Andrew and I might both be millennials, but sometimes he seemed like a different generation entirely.

“A chef sets up a temporary restaurant. Tonight, it’s in some place called Barb’s Bar. On the map, it looked close to here.”

I laughed. “It’s downstairs. And I’d bet my last dollar the chef is Leo Carbone. He’s, um, Danny’s brother.” I examined the toe of my high-heeled boot. “His food is excellent. We can go if you want.”

“You’ll be okay?” Carly asked.

“Yeah.” Danny didn’t work Thursday nights. Besides, I’d been missing the bar lately. It’d be good to chat with Barb. “Let’s go.”

Andrew and Carly looked at me funny when I tiptoed past the second-floor landing. It was a habit I’d started since I’d told Danny about the pregnancy. We might be forced into co-parenting, but that didn’t mean we had to spend time together before the baby was born. Besides, we both needed time and space to think about our situation. At least I did.

Safely past the landing, Carly told me the story of a starlet she’d styled whose dress had gotten lost in shipment, so Carly had to find a replacement gown at the last minute. Andrew, who must have heard the story before, beamed proudly the whole time she told it.

They were so cute, it was disgusting.

As I pulled open the door to the bar, I said, “Watch out, it’s a dive.”

But it wasn’t.

When we walked in, the place had been transformed. I recognized a few of the Thursday-night regulars looking as confused as I was. They were backed up against the bar, staring at the tables, which had been lined up into two communal rows like at family reunions. White cloths were draped over the stained wooden tables, and fake candles flickered across white china plates alongside silverware that was much nicer than Barb’s flimsy, dented service. The long tables were almost full. A delicious aroma of roasted meat and spices filled the air.

Leo carried out a pair of plates from the kitchen and murmured something as he set them in front of a pair of diners. When he straightened, he spotted me. “Lucie!” He spread his arms wide. “You came!”

“I…did?”

“I’m so glad Danny got over himself and invited you. Come on, I’ve got a private table for friends and family.” He winked. “Introduce me to your friends.”

I introduced Carly and Andrew to Leo as he guided us to a four-top against the wall. “I’ll grab Danny,” he said when we were seated.

“You don’t have to—” I began, but he’d already hurried off.

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