Page 73 of Living Hell

“You discussed this with your masseuse?”

She sighed and nodded. “He overheard me on the phone with the producers about the film shutting down. I was distraught. He was trying to help. At least, I thought he was.”

“Do you normally discuss work with your masseuse?”

“I got sloppy, okay, I.D? I’m not perfect. I let some sexy abs and magic fingers blind me to the truth. Anyway, the idea of going back to their roots for celebrities to heal is so played out, but there’s a reason for that—it works. The public falls for it every time. And, falling for your old flame in the process is a double-whammy.” She nodded. “He was right about that. I knew you’d win the hearts of the public. And if the public loved you, then producers and directors would soon follow.”

“Um, I’m confused. Did you look up all the people I used to know in Fire Lake before you bought the house or did he look them up?”

“I did. But only a few but I mostly researched Tyler.” She refused to look at me as she tapped on her folding phone.

I sat there for a moment as pieces of Babette’s puzzle slowly fell into place.

“Did you know he bought that house? Is that why you purchased it?”

If that were true, she could be arrested, along with the agent and former owner. That was illegal and Tyler told me the sheriff was working on the case.

Now the sheriff wanted to meet with me. I hoped it wasn’t to ask questions about Babette.

“I’m the best agent, Iona. Remember, I know what people want before they do.”

Something icy coursed through my veins. She never called me Iona. I swallowed with fear at what might be her answer to my next question.

“Did you even buy that house?”

“Ms. I.D., sorry for the delay. We had a backup with the test results. It seems everyone decided today was the day to get a pregnancy test.” The doctor walked in and laughed. Her four-inch heels clicked on the floor as she moved toward the small built-in desk.

“Pregnancy? I came here because I have the stomach flu.”

She sat on the small black rolling stool and waved her hand at me. “It’s standard procedure. A woman comes in complaining of throwing up, she gets tested for pregnancy. It’s normal.”

Both Babette and I let out a breath. That was a relief. While I knew Tyler would make a wonderful father one day, I was sure he wouldn’t want a baby in his life so soon. Sure, he was old enough, but the man just bought a house.

Besides, back in high school, he would rant about how his parents should never have been parents. How he wouldn’t make that same mistake.

When I mentioned the miscarriage, he never brought it up again. He must have been relieved that we didn’t have a kid together.

“Imagine me being a mom.” I snorted.

“Yeah, even I’m not that good of an agent to spin that one.” Babette joined in the laughter.

“Well, this is awkward . . .” The doctor bit her red-painted lip as she swiveled toward me on the stool.

“What?” I asked.

“You’re pregnant. Congratulations!” She made a hissing sound as if it was the roar of a large crowd while waving her hands in the air. I glared at her until she stopped. “You are almost six weeks along. Your due date should be June twenty-first of next year.”

My mouth fell open.

“But you told her it was a standard test. That it was normal.” Babette’s voice was getting higher and higher-pitched with each syllable.

“I meant taking the test was normal. Not that the test results were normal. Which, if you think about it, wouldn’t be a pregnancy test result anyway. It’s either positive or negative, not normal or abnormal.” She giggled at her stupid doctor joke.

“The nausea is pretty typical during the first trimester. What you want to do is eat more small meals. If you’re feeling sick, try some plain crackers and mild ginger tea. Just small sips, not a lot all at once. I’ll give you two a minute to discuss this.”

I stared at the floor as I heard the clacking of her shoes disappear when the door closed. A rush of memories flooded my head. Thoughts of the last time I was in a doctor’s office pregnant caused my eyes to burn. Last time my mother was with me, and I was a scared teenager.

Now, my agent was with me and I wasn’t scared, but I was bitter.

---