Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 86632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
“I thought Evelyn was doing better?”
“She is. She really is. I think Brystol finally got through to her about backing off on things, and I’ve noticed it’s also reduced Evelyn’s stress.”
“That’s a good thing, then,” I said cautiously.
Denny nodded. “Yeah. The, um, the Winter Village Festival is this Sunday, and I know Evelyn and Brystol always look forward to that. Evelyn has a booth there this year.”
My brows shot up. “A booth? Like, for free legal advice?”
Laughing, Denny shook his head. “No, she’s been crafting a few months with some women she met through a group online. They’re all mothers who had to have a surrogate carry their babies. Anyway, I think they’ve helped her a lot as well, as far as backing off and leaving Brystol be.”
“Brystol doesn’t want Evelyn to back off, Denny. She needs her to stop demanding how she lives her life, but she very much wants her to experience as much as she can with the pregnancy.”
“Right. That’s what I mean. But…I know from what I’ve been reading that Brystol should be feeling the baby soon.”
I moved in my seat, wondering where he was going with this. “Around sixteen weeks is what I read.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “If she does feel the baby move, do you think she should tell Evelyn?”
Staring at him, I let his words sink in. “Are you saying you don’t want her to tell Evelyn?”
Denny scrubbed his hands down his face. “Fuck, I don’t know, Gavin! This whole thing has thrown me for a fucking loop. Evelyn and I are fighting all the time.”
Surprised, I asked, “About what?”
“The baby. Brystol. How Evelyn needs to stop micromanaging a pregnancy she has no control over.”
“Damn, Denny. I hate to hear that you guys are arguing. But you have to know the end result is going to be the reward.”
He nodded. “I know, and please don’t think I don’t appreciate what Brystol is doing for us. I absolutely do. Evelyn does as well. But we should have listened to our doctor, who told us to use someone we didn’t know personally. He said from the beginning that using Brystol might become problematic, but we didn’t listen. I mean, who better to carry our baby than our best friend?”
“I can see both sides.”
He dropped his head and sighed.
“Have you thought about doing something special for Evelyn?”
When he looked up, he wore a frown. “What do you mean?”
“Maybe you could take her on a weekend trip to celebrate the baby or take her shopping to decorate the baby’s room.”
A small smile spread across his face. “That’s a great idea. I can suggest we go to New York City for a long weekend and do some shopping for the baby.”
“I’m sure she’d love that. Evelyn loves New York.”
He stood and pulled me up for a hug. “This is why you’re my best friend. Thanks, Gavin. You know, I think I might even suggest going on a babymoon.”
“Now see, you lost me there.”
Denny laughed. “One last vacation before the baby arrives. I could take her to Hawaii.” He slapped the side of my arm. “I’m going to do both! Thanks again, bud.”
I watched as Denny stepped to the door, threw it open, and rushed out of the conference room.
Jeremy poked his head in seconds later. “All good?”
“I guess so. Hell, I should have been a counselor. I think I just saved a marriage. I can therapy the shit out of things.”
Jeremy gave me a look that silently said he might not agree. “Right. When you’re done patting yourself on the back, you’ve got a phone call.”
Brystol wrapped a scarf around her neck and then paused. “Evelyn has a booth at the festival today?”
I nodded. “That’s what Denny said. She’s been crafting with some other moms.”
“I wonder if that’s why she hasn’t been able to meet up. Every time I invite her for coffee or to do something with me and the girls, she says she isn’t free. I thought maybe it was me.”
“Nah, I think it’s this new group she’s found.”
I held Brystol’s coat for her and slipped it on. She turned and faced me. “You said moms?”
“Yeah, Denny said it was a group of mothers who’ve used, or are currently using, surrogates. He said it’s been good for her.”
Brystol smiled. “I’m glad she’s found something that makes her happy…and truth be told, takes her mind off me.”
We headed out of the house and to my car, which was parked in Brystol’s driveway. I’d been spending so much time here that Brystol joked last night that I should just move in.
Once we got inside the car, I shivered. “Shit…it’s so damn cold.” I hit the heat, knowing in ten minutes we’d both be overheated. “He also told me they have been fighting a lot.”
“What? About what?”