Shit.
I can’t keep avoiding her.
As I debate if I should let my best friend’s call go to voicemail, it hits me.
I’m not in my shitty basement apartment.
With a smile stretching my lips, I accept the video call.
“Harl,” Ciara says.
“Ci,” I say her name with as much enthusiasm.
“You look radiant.”
My best friend is looking at me through rose-colored spectacles. I’m not wearing any makeup and the bags underneath my eyes are impossible to miss. I had another nightmare lastnight. Kaz was close by to comfort me. I’m so glad I didn’t protest him sleeping in the armchair again.
“Radiant?” I scoff. “For the first time in the history of mankind, dressing room lighting is working in my favor.”
She squints. “Are you shopping?”
I nod. “I am. I’m attending a charity event tonight.”
Since I’ve been hiding how bad things are for me from Ciara, every time we’ve had a video call, I’ve made sure to be standing in front of a white wall inside my apartment, so she wouldn’t be able to tell I no longer lived in the house I used to own. The timing of this call couldn’t be better because I can offer a different background.
“You’re so lucky. You get to shop. Nothing fits this body.” She points down. “Look.” She lowers her phone to her round belly.
It’s so much bigger than the last time I saw it.
“I’m huge, Harl. I can’t see my feet anymore.” She angles her phone. “How many toes do I have?” She wiggles her coral painted toes.
“Twenty-six.”
“The more my tummy grows, the more toes I collect.” She brings her phone to her face. “It’s no wonder I can’t walk with ease anymore.” She juts out her bottom lip.
I laugh. “You have three buns in the oven, Ci. Give yourself some grace. And no matter your size, your adoring husband still loves you.”
Her features soften. “I still can’t get over the fact he’s rearranged his whole schedule so he can remain in Copenhagen and work from home so he’s close by whenever I need him. He’s cancelled all international trips. No matter how many times I blame him for knocking me up with three babies instead of going the normal route of one at a time, I’ll never give him up.”
“Nor should you. Your man is a keeper.”
“I hooked a good one.”
Please God, throw one of those my way.
Kaz’s gorgeous face flashes in front of my eyes.
Silly Harley.
“Enough about me and my growing belly, I want to hear all about what you’ve been up to. I can’t shake off the feeling you’re avoiding me.”
Spot on, sister.That’s why I’ve been using your difficult pregnancy to keep it to text messages.“Nonsense.”
“You’re sure?”
“Ciara, you have enough things on your plate. Stop worrying about me. We’re talking now, aren’t we?”
“Okay. I feel better,” she says. “Now that you’ve put my mind at ease, tell me about tonight’s gala. Who’s your date? Where did you meet? Is it hot and heavy?”
