Page 67 of Love Me Ever After
Fraser nodded. “Why don’t you wait to find out what the outcome is of that before making any other decisions?”
The front door opened and Darcy’s voice floated through the air. “Hey, babe, are you home?” She came into the dining room, cheeks flushed. “Hi, Mason. How was New York?”
I didn’t get the chance to answer as Fraser stood up and crossed the room. He kissed his wife on the temple and gently rubbed her stomach. “What are you doing home this early?”
Darcy wrinkled her nose. “Morning sickness seems to be stretching into the afternoons. It wasn’t very busy when I went back after lunch, so I decided to shut up shop and give myself a rest.”
“Sweetheart, you really need to be thinking about getting some more help. Georgie will be busy with the restaurant over the summer, so she won’t be able to pitch in as much,” said Fraser.
His wife sagged against his chest. “I know, but thinking about advertising and interviewing is making me tired before I’ve even started.”
“Then I’ll do more. Put me down for a weekend shift.”
Darcy’s head snapped up to look at Fraser. “You?”
He shrugged. “Why not?”
Watching their exchange, with Fraser volunteering to help out in agift shop, made me envious of their relationship. The bond between them, that they would support each other—no matter what—was so strong.
It was everything I wanted with Ems. In that moment, I knew I had to make everything right between us sooner rather than later.
If only I knew where she was.
30
Ems
Every timeanother train passed by, I wondered whether Mason was on it. He’d left me a voicemail, which I hadn’t listened to, and his message popped up on my screen but I hadn’t gone into the app to show I’d read it. Childish, I knew, but I wasn’t ready to talk to him yet. I needed to work out how I truly felt about the baby and our future. Then I could confront him with whatever decision I’d made. Until then, I didn’t want to make contact.
I tried to read on the journey. But the words just swam across my ereader and I ended up playing games on my mobile or just staring out of the window instead.
By the time I arrived in London, I was ready to go to sleep. I took the Tube to Camden Town and made my way to the Holiday Inn. After I’d checked in, I messaged Mum to tell her where I was and asked her to recommend a restaurant for us to meet at later. When she messaged me back almost straight away with directions to Rudy’s Vegan Diner, I almost rolled my eyes. She’d always been vegetarian or pescatarian, but it looked as if she’d gone fully vegan this time. Unless it was something to do with her new ‘friend’. I told her I’d meet her there at six thirty, which gave me a little over an hour to rest and gather my thoughts.
I doubted she would be over the moon to be told she was going to be a grandmother.
But then again, I wasn’t sure I was delighted to become a mother either.
Seeing that woman prancing about Mason’s hotel room, seemingly without a thought for anyone else, bothered me. And although I now knew my initial overreaction to the situation had probably been because of my hormones, I couldn’t help but think I was already losing him.
He would have killed it in his interviews, wowed the other assessors and pretty much blown his competition out of the water. It was only a matter of time before we had to have yet another conversation about him going to New York. What was it they said? Third time’s a charm?
I lay on the bed, watching a late afternoon quiz show without really concentrating, passing the time until I had to go and meet my mother. Fortunately, I’d set an alarm because I’d dozed off before the final round of the quiz and I still had to get changed, not to mention find an obscure vegan restaurant.
Quickly, I pulled on my nice jeans, realising they felt a little snug around my belly already. Usually I’d put it down to bloating but… After swapping my t-shirt for a nice blouse, I put on a slick of lip gloss and coat of mascara before leaving the hotel.
Rudy’s Vegan Diner was a five-minute walk from the hotel, according to my app, and I made it in three. Sometimes I think they based the timings onreally slowwalkers.
“Good evening.” The front of house server gave me a broad smile as I entered. “Table for—?”
“I’m meeting my mum here for dinner. Can I see whether she’s here yet?”
“Of course.” He stepped to one side and waved me in.
A brief scan of the restaurant showed she wasn’t already sitting at a table. No surprise, she was late for everything. “Table for two, please. I’ll wait for her to arrive.”
“Follow me.”
He settled me at a table in the centre of the restaurant. I’d have preferred something a little more secluded given the discussion we were going to have, but I didn’t want to be awkward and request to move. While I waited, I perused the menu. Their Liberation Cocktails looked awesome, but I guessed I should stay away from alcohol. Given my reaction the other night when I was out with Georgie, it made sense. I’d have to get used to ginger beer and cherry crush instead.
