Page 11 of Love in Training
I sink back in my chair, trying to recall any of my own memories of Drew Forbes. Kyle’s older brother had already left for college by the time we started dating. The absent golden child to Kyle’s black sheep. Their physician parents had their futures all planned for them—but Kyle had other ideas. After he enlisted in the army instead of going to medical school, they barely spoke to him. Once we got engaged, I don’t think I saw any Forbes again until his funeral.
But... that isn’t true. Somewhere in my foggy brain, I dredge up the memory of an emotionless face in glasses and a dark suit outside the little mountain chapel. I’d almost forgotten. I’ve tried my hardest not to remember much about that day.
“I’m going to take off in a sec,” I say, checking the time on my phone. “I need to...”
I trail off as a new email pops up from that woman Randall dug up, promising she’ll make it worth my while if I talk to her about Unmatched. This is the third one she’s sent this week.
“What’s wrong?” Lydia watches my expression change and lowers her voice. “You didn’t get another one of those emails, did you?”
“N-no.” I breathe in slowly through my nose and out through my mouth. “Just Randall giving me more mind-numbing assignments.”
She narrows her eyes. Lydia knows better than anyone what I’ve been through over the last year. My career’s shooting star success when I wrote about Unmatched, and the rapid decline after it earned me an online stalker.
I let out a low breath, afraid what I say next could trigger her, but also desperate for reassurance. “Someone... um, someone wants me to write a new article about Unmatched.”
She rests her hand on her bump, but if she’s bothered by the subject, she does an excellent job of hiding it. “Well, that’s too bad, isn’t it?”
I stare at my lap. If I look up, she’ll see exactly how seriously I’ve been considering giving in.
“How long has it been since the last message?” she asks quietly.
I don’t even have to think. “Twenty-nine days.”
“Must feel like such a relief. Are you sleeping better? How are the nightmares?”
My cheek twitches. I know she’s trying to help—that’s actually what I wanted. Only now that we’re talking about it, I wish I hadn’t brought it up. “Don’t worry. I’m ignoring it.”
Something flashes in her eyes, but she doesn’t press further. She just leans back, looking tired. I squeeze her hand.
“What time did you get here?” I ask, changing the subject.
“I don’t know. We set up sometime after lunch?”
I purse my lips. “And let me guess, you were at one of the Pooches the whole morning before that?”
Lydia cuts me a look. “I own three businesses, Caprice. They don’t run themselves.”
“Fair,” I say gently. “But why don’t I drop you at home on my way to the airport? Henry will survive the last couple hours here on his own.”
She lets out a long breath. “Did my husband put you up to this?”
“I try not to talk to Anton if I can help it.” I sniff. “I’m just looking out for my best friend. You know, when you’re eight months pregnant, you’re allowed to take a nap.”
This gets under her skin. “You know, society treats pregnant women like they have aconditionwhen it’s a totally normal part of life.”
I bite my lip, wanting to rant with her about discrimination and the unfairness of it all. But the fact is, Lydia’s a workaholic. And after a scare we all endured early in her pregnancy, Ididconspire with the men in her life to try and make her take it easy.
“Okay, how about this?” I ask. “You overwork yourself, the little bundle of joy comes early, and you don’t get the chance to complete the remaining eight hundred or so things still on your pre-birth to-do list?”
This quiets her down. Satisfied, I wave at Henry, who’s been covertly circling the booth like Lydia’s a ticking time bomb.
“Thank youagainfor letting me borrow your new car,” I say when she hands me her keys. “I’ll return it as soon as I’ve dealt with Theo.”
She rises from her chair with some effort, waving me off with one hand. “Don’t rush. Since everyone apparently wants to coddle me, I don’t need it back right away. But you better text me when you’re home. I’m dying to find out what Theo’s been up to.”
CHAPTER
FOUR
