Page 2 of Love In Harbor Falls

When I removed my sunglasses and Luis took one look at me, he instantly knew.

“Oh no. Was it negative again?” he pouted.

“Yep.”

“I’m sorry, Addy.” His grip around me tightened.

“Me too, Luis. But enough talk about my non-existent pregnancy. We have a collection to display.”

“Art always does make you feel better.” He smiled.

“I’m not so sure this time.”

Luis Maldive and I have been friends since I first started working at the museum seven years ago. He, along with my sister, was my confidant and best friend. Standing six feet tall with medium jet-black hair that was swept back, big brown eyes, and a chiseled face, he looked like he belonged on the cover of GQ. He lived in a Manhattan high-rise with his investment broker husband, Alfred, and their little white Pomeranian named Queen B.

My phone rang, and my sister was calling.

“Hello.”

“Addy, I won’t be able to do lunch today. There was a major screw-up with the fabric that came in, and I need to handle it, which involves multiple phone conferences and meetings.”

“It’s okay, sis. I totally understand. Get your fabric situation straightened out, and we’ll talk later.”

* * *

Two Weeks Later

Iwalked out of the fertility center at 425 5th Avenue feeling hopeful. I wished Darren would have come with me to meet with Dr. Shaw, which he had planned on until he was called into an emergency meeting. As he put it, if he didn’t attend, it could be financially disastrous for the company. As much as I wanted to understand, I couldn’t. He knew how important this meeting was to me, and I thought it was also important to him.

When I arrived home, I kicked off my heels and went to the kitchen to pour a glass of wine before starting dinner. Darren told me he would be home around eight o’clock and asked if I could make my famous chicken tetrazzini, and we would talk about my meeting with Dr. Shaw. I was still upset with him for not coming, and the more I thought about it, the more I didn’t want to cook. So, I decided to order takeout instead. When he arrived home, he kissed my cheek and looked around the clean kitchen.

“Where’s dinner? I’m starving.”

“I didn’t feel like cooking, so I ordered Chinese food instead. It’ll be here soon.”

“Okay. You told me you’d cook tonight. I was looking forward to your chicken tetrazzini,” he sighed as he removed his suit coat.

“Sorry to disappoint you. I guess that makes two of us today.” I picked up my wine glass.

He turned and narrowed his eyes as he studied my body language.

“I told you I had an emergency meeting. It couldn’t be helped, Adalyn. Now, please stop this childish behavior.” His voice was stern, but there was something about it I sensed wasn’t right.

The doorman called up to let us know our food had been delivered.

“I’ll go get it, and then we’re going to talk.” He pointed as he walked out of the kitchen.

I took two plates from the cabinet and set them on the table. Within minutes, Darren returned with the food and set the bag down.

“I don’t think IVF is a good idea,” he said as he sat down.

“Why not? We’ve been trying for over a year and a half, and it’s not working. This is the next step.”

“I just think it’s best if it happens the natural way, no matter how long it takes.”

“Darren, what is wrong with you?”

“Nothing is wrong with me, Addy. I’m not for IVF, and I think we should wait.”

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