Page 73 of Unpredictable
“Surprisingly happy.” She smiled. “He’s already spoiling the kid rotten.”
“So, you want to host a baby shower. And you want my help.”
“Hunter and I, actually.”
I arched a brow. “Wow. A co-ed shower. How much persuading did that take?”
“None.” She took a swig from the bottle then tipped it upside down, frowning. “Empty.”
Harper shot out of her seat as if her butt were on fire. “I’ll grab another one.”
“Are you sure?” I moved to stand.
“No. No. Sit.” She gestured wildly, her smile a little watery. “I’ll get it.”
“Okay. Thanks.” I sat back down, kicking off my shoes. I waited until I was certain she was out of earshot to ask, “Is Harper okay?”
Alexis lifted her shoulder, but Lauren screwed up her face. “Oh shit.” She covered her face with her hands. “I shouldn’t have mentioned Kate’s pregnancy in front of her.”
“Oh.” Alexis shook her head. “I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault. I wasn’t thinking.”
“Neither was I.” Lauren placed her hand on Alexis’s shoulder. “Let’s just—maybe we won’t bring it up again in front of her.”
I nodded, knowing how badly Harper wanted to be a mom. “Should I go check on her?”
Lauren shook her head. “Maybe just give her a minute.”
A few minutes later, Harper returned, but her eyes were rimmed with red. My heart sank, and I felt terrible that my friend was hurting. Ever since the talk of Kate’s baby shower, she seemed to have lost some of her spark.
“Harper,” I said, turning to her, wanting to distract her. “Anything new with you?”
Something passed through her eyes, and then it was gone. I frowned, wondering what was going on with my friend. I’d been so wrapped up in my own life that I hadn’t been there for her like I should’ve been. Like she’d been there for me. That was going to change.
“I’m going to Thailand to scout some locations soon.”
I nodded. “That’s good.” Neither of us mentioned the tsunami or Ryan, though I was positive we were both thinking about it.
“How’s Harrison?” she asked.
“He’s…” I smiled. “He’s good. He’s in Oregon for a photo shoot for an outdoor gear company.”
There was a collective “Ooh” from my best friends, and I merely laughed. “You guys are ridiculous.” I grabbed a piece of prosciutto.
“I was kind of hoping I’d finally get to meet your hunky pro athlete,” Lauren said.
“Yeah,” Harper chimed in. “Alexis told us he’s a hottie.”
The corner of my mouth lifted. “He is.”
“You didn’t want to go with him to Oregon?” Harper asked.
I shook my head, taking another sip of champagne. With every round, the bottle got lighter. “Between wedding season ramping up and closing on the house, I couldn’t.”
She nodded. “How’s it going—living together?”
“It’s good. Really good, actually.”
“Aww. Yay,” Harper said. “I’m so glad.”
