Page 9 of Keeping the Score

She immediately regrets saying that, I can tell. Her eyes dart around. “Uh…”

“What color are they tonight?” I ask, trying for smooth operator, and not a drooling dork.

“Never mind!”

“Hi, Andi!” A woman approaches us with a bright smile.

I immediately sense Andi tensing up. But she smiles too and turns to greet the woman. Her smile freezes, though, when she takes in the woman’s pregnant belly.

Oh, no. Is this Trevor’s new girlfriend?

“Look at you!” the woman says to Andi. “You look so nice when you make an effort!”

My face stiffens. I set my hand on Andi’s mid-back and gently rub.

“Thank you!” Andi says, as if that were a real compliment. “Haven, this is Ford Archibald. Ford, this is Haven Gray. We used to work together at Design Edge.”

Haven turns her attention to me, eyes widening. “Ford Archibald? You play for the Storm!”

“I do.” I smile and shake her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“Oh, wow, this is amazing! Andi!” She slides Andi an arch look. “I heard you have a hockey player neighbor.”

Yep. This has to be the girlfriend. So where’s Trevor?

Oh, there he is, walking toward us across the room, carrying two glasses. He’s first looking at Andi in her sexy red dress, his eyes wide with appreciation, then he sees me and breaks into a smile.

“Hey, Ford,” he says. “I didn’t know you’d be here.” His forehead creases and he looks at Andi. “Hi, Andi.”

“Hi.” She’s doing a really good job of hiding her discomfort. “Ford was nice enough to accompany me tonight.”

“Huh.” Trevor divides a still-puzzled look between us. Then his gaze lingers on Andi. “You look really good.”

“Thanks.” This smile is stilted.

Haven blinks and also looks at Andi. “Congratulations on your nomination. I was so surprised when I saw your name.”

My jaw tightens. I’m ready to deck this lady. (I would never hit a lady, just so you know.)

“Thank you,” Andi says. “And congrats to you as well!”

Wait. They’re both nominated. For the same award? I try to keep a poker face. Why didn’t Andi tell me that?

Haven gives a light laugh. “Thanks. We’re really pumped about it.”

A few more people join us and soon there’s a small group around us chatting. They’re all talking business so I don’t havemuch to say, but that’s okay. I’m not one to fade into the background but I can handle it for a little while. I keep an eye on Andi and Trevor to make sure she’s okay. Her smile is bright and brittle and I can tell she’s putting on an act.

That conversation we had earlier went deeper than I expected. I was trying to ease her nerves but she’s easy to talk to. I’ve never hidden my weirdness from her, since we’re just friends, and I like it that she seems to like me even though she knows how weird I am.

4

ANDI

As a server places a plate in front of Ford, he reaches into an inside pocket of his suit jacket and pulls out a small package. I watch as he unwraps a set of eating utensils—knife, fork, spoon—and sets them on his plate.

I blink but say nothing, picking up my own fork to dig into my salad. I’m just happy he’s here. My insides are writhing with jealousy and nerves.

She’s pregnant.

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