Page 87 of Protect My Heart
After I pack my stuff and clean up the apartment, I go to the hotel where my parents are staying. I tell them the professor I’m working for wants to meet tomorrow so I have to go back to Madison. They don’t question it, and actually seem relieved I’m not going with them to sightsee today. I think I wore them out yesterday. I forget how tired they get.
* * *
On Wednesday, I meet Nora for lunch at a sandwich shop near campus. I tell her what’s happened since we last talked,which was Sunday, before I left to meet my parents for breakfast.
‘So let me get this straight,’ Nora says. ‘You were going to move there and live on his parents’ farm, but now you’re not because you and Jason got into a fight.’
‘No, it’s because we don’t need to live together. My parents will be in Boston. They won’t know where I’m living.’
‘Do you still like him?’ she asks before taking a bite of her sandwich.
‘Jason? Yes. Why does that matter?’
‘Do you still think he’s hot?’ she asks, her gaze going to a guy as he walks past us.
‘Yes, but again, why does that matter?’
‘That’s Professor Wren,’ she says, smiling, as she watches him fill his drink at the fountain dispenser. ‘What do you think?’
I glance back at him. ‘He’s old.’
‘He’s not old. I heard he’s 35. That’s only five years older than me. That’s nothing.’
‘Have you talked to him?’
‘Not yet, but I’m thinking about it.’ She looks back at me. ‘So anyway, what was I saying?’
‘You asked if I was still attracted to Jason.’
She nods and picks up a potato chip from her plate. ‘Are you going to date anyone this summer?’
‘No.’ I laugh. ‘Who would go out with me? I’m pregnant.’
She shrugs. ‘Some guys are into that.’
Just then, a guy stops by our table and smiles at me. ‘Hey, how’s it going?’
‘Good.’ I don’t know this guy. Or do I? My memory hasn’t been great since I got pregnant. ‘What’s your name again?’
‘Craig. We’re in boot camp at the gym.’
‘You must be thinking of someone else. I’m not in boot camp. I’m not even sure what that is.’
Nora laughs and turns to the guy. ‘Are you asking her out?’
She’s so bold, which I admire, but it also embarrasses me sometimes.
‘I was just saying hi.’ He looks back at me. ‘But what do you think? You want to have dinner this week? I could tell you all about boot camp. Maybe you could come with me sometime.’
‘I don’t think so.’ I look at Nora. ‘But maybe you could go with my friend, Nora.’
‘I’d rather go with you,’ he says in a flirty tone.
‘She’s pregnant,’ Nora says, chomping on her chips.
He backs away, like I have a contagious disease. ‘Is she serious?’
‘Yes.’ I rub my stomach. ‘I’m due in October. Twins!’
