Jenna’s eyes got a little shiny. “Thank you. It has been. My dad and I were very close. In a lot of ways, he was my best friend. And it’s really hard watching my mom go through this too. All of a sudden, she’s all alone in that house. I’m an only child.”
“Well, just think—soon you’ll have a little grandson or granddaughter for her to spoil too!” I said, rubbing my own belly at the thought. “My mom can’t wait.”
Jenna tucked her hair behind her ears and cast her gaze down. “Yeah … that’s true. But it’s hard, knowing my dad will never get to meet the baby.”
“I’m so sorry, sweetie,” Ellie said.
Jenna smiled sadly. “Thanks. You know, I haven’t lived in the city that long; I moved here for a job, but I resigned after his death because I just couldn’t handle it. It’s really nice to have friends like you two in the city now.”
Ellie and I both smiled at her. It was hard to believe we’d known her less than six months; her friendship was such an unexpected blessing.
Jenna decided to come back to my place for a bit after we left the bistro. We lounged on the couch together as we talked a little more about her dad. Eventually, the conversation wound its way back to my troubles with Madison.
“You said this stalker works for Dr. Quinlan—do you think she’s the one who got into your medical records and found out the baby is a boy?”
“She must be. Who else? I just need proof that Madison was behind it—that she did it for her. Then I’ll report her to Dr. Quinlan.”
Jenna shook her head. “This is all insane, Savannah. You have to do something. Madison has no right to mess with your life like this.”
“I’m supposed to get some free legal advice this weekend from—”
A knock at my door interrupted us. “That’s weird—no one rang the intercom.” I shared a look with Jenna before making my way to the peephole.Please don’t let it be Madison.Thankfully, it wasn’t. I opened the door.
Max stood there, his hands on his hips. “Savannah, can we please talk?”
I sighed, which Max took as an invitation. “I have company right now, Max,” I objected as he walked inside.
“Oh, sorry, I didn’t—” He stopped midsentence as Jenna rose from the couch.
“Jenna, this is Max.”
Jenna gave an awkward, shy smile and reached for her purse.
Max mumbled, “Nice to meet you,” and raked his hand through his hair as he looked back at me expectantly.
“I should really get going anyway,” Jenna said to me. “I’ll see you later, Savannah.”
“You don’t have to go,” I said. I hated that she felt pushed out by Max.
“No, I probably should, it’s getting late.” Jenna gave me a quick hug and disappeared out the door and down the stairs.
I closed the door and turned around, not bothering to hide my frustration. “What—you don’t call or text first anymore? What are you doing here, Max?”
He let out his breath in a quick whoosh, his hands still on his hips. “I know you’re upset about what happened.”
“You’re damn right I am. I can’t believe she would do something so cruel—and that you would let her.”
His hands flew up defensively. “I had no idea she was going to post that. Like you, I didn’t know the gender until that moment in the doctor’s office. But, Savannah—she showed me the text.”
“The text?” I scoffed.
“The one from you. Do you really not remember sending it to her?”
My body flooded with heat. “Max—” I growled in frustration. “I am so sick and tired of her lies. I didnotsend that text.”
“Look—she showed it to me.” He pulled his phone out of his back pocket and held up a screenshot. “See? Right here.”
Savannah Mitchell:Madison, guess what?! I changed my mind and called the doctor’s office. The baby is a BOY!
