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I stare at her with astonishment as she walks away and leaves the gallery. What just happened? Something must have occurred between the time she sent me that message and tonight.
I freeze when I remember her saying her ex-boyfriend wanted her back. Oh, shit! Have I left it too long to tell her how I feel and that I want a serious relationship? Has that moron who let her go in the first place convinced her to give him another chance? Is he the something else she wants? Regret fills me again that I didn’t ask her to join me in the Hamptons with my family. What a mess I’ve made of everything.
Swiftly, I turn around, searching for her among the throngs of people. I don’t see her, and my heart tightens with worry. Not minding that it might look strange given that we were just speaking to each other, I ask around if anyone has seen her, but no one has.
Quickly, I reach for my phone and dial her number. She doesn’t pick up. I send her multiple text messages, imploring her to come back, so we can talk, but she doesn’t reply. I’m almost tempted to tell her that I love her and want to commit. But that is not something to communicate over a text message.
After repeatedly trying to get a hold of her without any success, I finally decide to leave.
CHAPTER18
GISELLE
My pulse is in a sprint, my heart beating a rapid thud against my chest as I wait for the result of the pregnancy test. I’ve been living in denial, hoping my missed period is due to stress. There were false alarms in the past when I was overstretched at work. This might be the third one.
But something tells me that this time around, it’s different.
Sitting on the toilet seat, I tap my leg on the bathroom floor, not knowing what to think. I’ve always longed for children, but with a husband and in a stable home.
“Oh, my God!” I whisper when I see two red lines on the test strip.
I’m pregnant!
A wave of panic rushes through me. How is it possible that I’m pregnant when I’m on contraceptives? I don’t even know how far along I am because I never thought it would be possible while on the pill. It’s not a hundred percent failsafe, but it worked in the past. If my very distraught calculation is correct, I might have conceived when we were in Washington. That would make me about five weeks along.
Pain squeezes my chest when I recall overhearing Miles’s conversation with a friend at the reception the other night. It broke me when he insinuated that all we had was a casual fling, but it gave me the strength to stand by my decision to end whatever relationship I had with him. I understand all he said about his daughter, but making it seem as if he didn’t have time for anything else made me recognize that I was wasting my time.
But a baby changes everything.
Tears pool in my eyes because I always assumed that whenever I’d find out I am pregnant, I’d be over the moon with happiness. But now, I’m confused, and I don’t know what to do. The baby is a blessing, without a doubt, though I will have to figure out how it will affect my life and my work.
Being able to includeThe Old Man of Copánin the exhibit was a big triumph, and as promised, I’ve been reassigned to work on the conservator team.
It will be awkward taking time off to give birth and take care of my baby.
Realizing that I can’t stay in the bathroom all day, I clean up and return to my room. Needing to confide in someone, I call my sister.
“I’m pregnant.” I don’t waste time on greetings and slam Jo with the news as soon as she picks up.
“Come again?”
“I’m going to have a baby,” I repeat, chewing on my bottom lip, barely able to hold back the tears.
“Are you sure? Aren’t you supposed to be on the pill?”
“I am, so I don’t know how it happened.”
Silence.
“Jo? Are you there?”
“Yes. I’m sorry. I was trying to process what you just said. I don’t know whether to congratulate you or . . . I don’t know. I have so many questions. Is it Miles’s? What are you going to do?”
“Yes, it’s Miles’s. Well, whatcanI do? I will be a mother. But I’m a little nervous about what that means. Remember, I told you I got reassigned and Miles doesn’t want a serious relationship? So, I’m definitely on my own in all this.”
“You’re not. Gigi, you have me, Gabe, Mom, and Dad. We’ll be there to support you every step of the way. If Miles doesn’t want to be in the picture, it’s his loss.”
Tears roll down my face at her encouraging words.
