Page 50 of Love Like This

Hadley glanced outside and to the right for any sign of Gia nearher own apartment. Nothing. “Are you…certain she’s not well?”

“Do I look certain?” He seemed to make a show of pursing his lipsand tightening his eyebrows, which really just reminded Hadley of Bert fromSesame Street, but shelet it go, deciding to seek out Gia instead. Larry followed, hot on her heels,to Gia’s apartment door, which was opened promptly before she could knock.

“Hey,” Gia said, brightening. “Was just coming to see what timewe’re scheduled for at Autumn’s tonight.” But something was different aboutGia. Her voice was lower and her nose looked red. Her normally bright browneyes carried a dull, dim quality. Oh, no! Poor Gia.

“I’m filling in for you, remember?” Larry Herman said. “Wedecided. The young lady you carry on with decided along with me.”

“Elle’s just being overly cautious. I told you guys I could doit.”

“Elle thinks you shouldn’t babysit?” Hadley asked. “She might beright. Look at you. Do you have a fever?” Hadley ushered Gia back inside andLarry followed them in. “Sit,” she instructed, and placed the back of her handon Gia’s forehead. “You do. You have a slight elevation.”

“That decides it!” Larry crowed. “I’m in and you’re out.”

Gia stared at him. “You just want to spend time with Hadley, andyou know it.” It was true that Larry did seem to carry a bit of a torch forher. While she tried not to encourage the crush, she couldn’t help but be niceto him. He tried so hard, and always came up so…awkward.

“What I’m most interested in doing is making sure that theCarpenter infants are cared for and not exposed to the plague.” He scowled atGia.

“I don’t have the plague,” Gia said. But it sounded a lot morelike “I don hab the plague” due to her very noticeable cold.

“It’s okay, G,” Hadley said, rounding the kitchen island andpouring Gia a glass of orange juice from the fridge. She also grabbed a coupleTylenol for good measure. “I want you to rest right here on this couch tonight.Here.” She dropped the Tylenol into Gia’s hand and smoothed her hair backaffectionately. “Take those and drink every drop of that juice, you poor sickperson. Where’s Elle?”

“She had a meeting with her sponsor rep tonight. A dinner thing.”

“Gotcha. In that case, I will check on you soon. You need someoneto say things like ‘Poor baby, Gia’ around every ninety minutes or so. It’spart of the healing process.”

“I’m probably okay without that.”

“You are not. Accept your fate.” She turned to Larry. “It lookslike it’s you and me tonight, Larry. You sure you’re up for it?”

He rubbed his hands together with an intensity that said he meantbusiness. “I’ve already googled the multitude of swaddling techniques andpracticed in my car with my revolutionary flag. I’m more than prepared.”

“War reenactment this week?”

“Tomorrow morning. I’ve been cast as colonial militia, probablyfor being too ambitious in past battles where I was featured. I tend to stealfocus.”

“Well, you have star quality.” She patted him on the back of hisshoulder. “Let’s head over to Chez Carpenter. Go, team!”

They made their way down the stairs and across the courtyard induty mode. Hadley prepared to make this night work if it killed her. She pausedmid-thought because she spotted Spencer entering through the wrought iron gate.Well, then. Things had certainly taken aturn.Hadley couldn’t hold back the grin if she wanted to. They hadn’t seen eachother in three days due to their conflicting schedules, yet here she stood, allsleek and shiny and sigh-worthy, which Hadley executed on cue. “What in theworld?” Hadley said, abandoning Larry and making her way to Spencer.

“I’m sorry to just show up,” she said, dipping her head andcatching Hadley’s gaze. “I was in the mood for some killer coffee, and since Iwas so close, I thought I might pop over and see if you were around.”

“Killer coffee can make a person drive.”

“That’s a total and complete lie I just told,” Spencer said. “Ilove the coffee next door, but I made that up just to see you. I can’t stopthinking about you, us, the other night. It’s an ongoing battle and I’ve nowsurrendered.”

Hadley warmed from her hairline down and gave her toes a goodwiggle. “You don’t have to make up an excuse to see me, ya know.”

“I do now, and I will never forget it again. You free?”

Hadley glanced behind her. “Not exactly. But how do you feel aboutbabies?”

Spencer shrugged. “I’m a fan. My best friend’s pretty much a babywhisperer and has taught me a few tricks to use on my little cousins here andthere.”

Hadley turned around. “Larry, I think you just might be off thehook.”

“I am not,” he said staunchly, and stood at attention. “I have aduty to sit with the children so the Carpenters can go out in the world. I donot shirk my duties.”

Hadley laughed at what she should have expected to be his responseand walked Spencer over to Larry. “Spencer, meet my landlord and friend, LarryHerman. He agreed to babysit the twins with me tonight when Gia caught a cold.But since you’ve been so kind to offer, I’m sure he has preparations to tend tofor the Battle of Monmouth.”

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