Page 289 of The Baby Twist
“Marley.” Tears filled her eyes.
We talked a while longer, hugged each other, and then I left. Instead of driving back to Manhattan, I decided to do some shopping in Long Island. It had been a long time since I explored some of the stores. I stopped into a baby store and picked up afew sleepers for the twins. I already had so many, but these were so cute I couldn’t resist. Walking down the street, I passed the crystal shop my mother talked about. I stopped, turned around, and stepped inside. I’d passed this store a thousand times and never went in.
I looked around at the different items. An older woman emerged from the back and greeted me.
“Good afternoon. Oh my, twins.” She smiled.
“Yes. I am having twins.” I placed my hand on my belly.
“One of each—a boy and a girl. Congratulations.”
“And what if I didn’t know the sex of the twins?” I arched my brow.
“You already know.” She smiled.
“Hallie, right?”
“Yes.” She cocked her head.
“My mother told me about you. She had a reading done years ago. I was just visiting her and doing some shopping and thought I’d stop in.”
Her brows furrowed, and she took hold of my hand, sandwiching it between hers.
“You have a beautiful soul among all the turmoil that consumed your life.”
“How do you know about the turmoil in my life?”
“I see it in your soul. I can feel it as I hold your hand.”
This woman was freaking me out. I pulled my hand out of hers.
“Thank you for telling me I have a beautiful soul. I have to get back to the city.” I turned and headed toward the door.
“Marley?”
I stopped dead in my tracks and turned around. How the hell did she know my name?
“You have nothing to fear. You’ve found your soulmate. It was decided the day the two of you met. It’s time to let go of the past and create the life you were destined to live.”
I gave her a small smile and left the shop. Climbing into my car, I gripped the steering wheel. My phone rang, and when I pulled it from my purse, I saw Charlie was calling.
“Hey. I was just thinking about you,” I said.
“Hello, beautiful. I was thinking about you, too. Are you doing some shopping with your mom?”
“How do you know I’m shopping?”
“I may have been stalking your location.”
“I did do some shopping, but not with my mom.” I pulled away from the curb.
“Did things not go well with her?” he asked.
“Things went fine. We had a nice talk. After I left, I wanted to do some shopping alone.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m good, Charlie. I’m heading home now.”
