Page 104 of Spencer and the Younger Girl
She nodded. Together, they walked by the deserted nurse’s station to the elevator and stepped inside, hitting the button for the lobby where the only late-night cafeteria would be open for another hour.
The elevator doors opened on a floor above the lobby and a woman Hadley recognized bustled into the elevator.
Victoria.
Spencer’s ex.
She turned a bright smile on Hadley, recognition lighting her face. “Hadley, right?”
Hadley nodded. “Victoria?”
“What are you doing here?” She eyed Roman with suspicion. “Where’s Spencer?”
“Why would I know where Spencer is?”
“Aren’t you two…”
“We were.” Hadley hugged her arms across her body, praying for the elevator ride to end. “My grandpa had a heart attack.” She didn’t need to explain her presence, but Victoria obviously thought she was at the hospital for other reasons.
Horror flashed across her face. “Oh my, I’m so sorry.”
“He’ll be okay.”
“That’s good.” She placed a hand on her stomach. “I had a wee bit of a scare tonight, and my fiancé is out of town. With my history, I can’t take anything lightly. To be honest, I’m a bit nervous about everything. I keep thinking I’m going to lose the baby again.”
Again?
The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open. Victoria started to walk away, but Hadley ran after her. “Can I buy you a coffee?”
Victoria turned, one eyebrow raised.
“Well, not coffee.” Hadley glanced at her stomach. “But—”
“I would love a decaf green tea. And the cafeteria on this floor has the best.”
Hadley smiled weakly. “Okay, yeah.” Roman, as if sensing her nerves, slid his arm through hers.
They entered the nearly empty cafeteria. Only a few visitors sat at dark wooden tables. The long counter stretched along the far wall next to a glass case of pastries.
“I’ll get the drinks.” Roman released her and walked to the front.
Hadley stood for a moment, not sure what to do, until Victoria chose a table in the back corner.
Sliding onto the narrow wooden seat, Hadley drummed her fingers on the tabletop and let her eyes wander to the wall of windows looking out on the hospital’s atrium.
“Are you and that boy together? Is that why you and Spencer aren’t seeing each other anymore?” Victoria’s question was innocent enough, but there was also a defensiveness in her tone. She’d have Spencer’s back, just like Roman would have Hadley’s.
“Rome?” She laughed. “No. He’s kind of become my brother in a way. I love the guy, but gross.”
Her expression softened. “And Spencer?”
Hadley rested her elbows on the table. “You care about him.”
She nodded. “We were best friends most of our lives. We went through a lot together.”
“Including a miscarriage?” She knew she was right the moment Victoria’s eyes widened. But it wasn’t something she’d wanted to be right about.
Her heart ached for Spencer, and some selfish part of her wanted to hate the girl he’d given so much to, the one now staring at her with pain in her eyes.
