Page 18 of Surprise Baby for Mr. Fischer
I pressed a fist to my lips. It hurt that he didn’t get my passion and desire for something different. I came alive finding beauty in things most people threw away.
My smartwatch beeped. “I’ve got to go. I’m meeting Whitney for lunch.”
Dad grunted. “Okay.”
I gave him a kiss on the cheek, and we walked out together. When I got into my car, I glanced back to see him scowling to himself in my rearview mirror. I guess I should resign myself to the wedge between us, because at this point, I wasn’t sure how to fix things.
***
IOPENED THE DOOR OFThe Dinglehopper and spotted Whitney in a corner booth on her phone. The light glinted off her smooth wavy black hair, illuminating her perfectly done-up face. I'd always been envious of how put together she looked. When she saw me, her bright red lips curved into a smile, and she waved me over.
The diner had been around since I was a kid. Whitney and I used to get french fries and milkshakes while our mothers sat in the booth next to us, chatting. We’d felt like such grown-ups.
She held up a finger, her impeccable manicure reminding me it had been months since I'd even thought about my nails. I eased myself into the booth and nursed my glass of water while I waited.
Whitney continued to talk on her phone. “So your cousin told you she’s sure it’s him? Right. Well, I haven’t heard anything, and you know I’m usually the one with all the gossip. Ask around and see if anyone can confirm it.” She rolled her gray-blue eyes at me and pointed to her phone. Typical impatient Whitney. “If you do hear anything, call me immediately. I’m not letting a story like this get away.” She hung up and tossed her phone into her purse.
“What was that about?” I asked.
She looked around as though verifying no one was close enough to eavesdrop. Leaning in, she whispered, “A source of mine said his cousin is pretty sure she saw Lincoln Erickson from that apocalypse movie,Doomsday, driving through Warwick.”
“Who?” I had no idea who she was talking about.
“Oh, my God. Are you serious, Harper? Sometimes I think you live under a rock.”
I shrugged. “So I would rather refurbish an old soda machine than spend a night at the movies. Sue me.”
Whitney rolled her eyes again. “He’s only the most sought-after actor of the moment. Haven’t you seen the previews for his new movie?”
I shook my head. I was lucky to make it past dinner these days, and when I watched TV, I used my streaming service to watch picker shows that had no commercials or ads.
Her fingers drummed a steady rhythm on the table. “If he’s here, I’m going to find him.”
“That sounds a little stalkerish to me,” I teased.
She chuckled and shrugged. “He could be my ticket out of here. I'm sure I can convince him to give me an exclusive interview for the paper.” It was no secret that Whitney wanted out of our little town. Out of our state, really. We both wanted that. The only difference was that I planned to return in between my adventures.
Whitney had always been determined to make it big and to write the entertainment column in theNew York Post, and eventually have her own segment on TV. “I also heard he's single. And I know I’d be the perfect girlfriend for him."
I shook my head. “Whit, you don’t even know him. How do you even know you’dwantto be his girlfriend? Besides, it’s almost winter. What celebrity in their right mind comes to New England in winter?”
“You’re always so negative.” Frustration flickered in her eyes. “Anyway, I’m sure I’ll find out.”
I preferred the termrealist.
The server arrived, interrupting anything I might have said. We both placed our orders, and I sat back, absently rubbing my stomach. I was looking forward to the double bacon cheeseburger, sweet potato fries, and strawberry milkshake.
“Don’t you think you should watch what you eat?” Whitney asked.
My eyes narrowed. “Seriously, Whitney. I’m doing just fine. I eat healthy most of the time and can indulge every once in a while. Ever heard of pregnancy cravings?” She could take her healthy salad and shove it. Me and the baby had been wanting bacon all week.
“Listen, I know restricting yourself is tough, but it’s not just you that you’ve got to think about now.” Her voice was gentle, but I wasn’t fooled.
Whitney was such a jerk about food and specifically whatIput in my body. Once she lost the weight when we were teenagers, she’d always pushed me to do the same. Lately, I’d begun to question if our friendship was based on mutual respect, or if I only held on to it because she stuck by me during the worst time in my life.
I glared at her. “Back off, Whit.”
“I’m only trying to help. You always get defensive when I mention this stuff.” She sniffed. “It’s like you blame me for what happened when we were kids.”
