Big Chicas Don't Cry(96)

I must have fallen asleep because the next time I opened my eyes, someone was brushing my hair. I turned to look at the figure behind me, and for a second I thought it was Selena.

It was Rachel.

“You have pretty hair,” she said.

“Thanks,” I whispered hoarsely.

“Do you want some water now? Do you want to try to eat?” I had never heard her talk so softly.

I nodded as tears slid sideways down my cheek. I felt her start to move off the bed. She hesitated for a second, and then I felt her kiss the top of my head.

The light from the hallway invaded my room as Rachel opened the door. I turned around then and called out her name.

“How did you . . . why?”

She shrugged. “Selena told me. I called her and asked her what I could do to help you. She said when she was sad you used to brush her hair, and it would make her feel better. So I thought if I did that to you, then maybe it would make you feel better too. Did it?”

I nodded and pulled a smile from my heart. “It did. Thank you.”

Rachel stayed with me the rest of the night, and I realized that Selena had been right all along.

Maybe this baby wouldn’t have a father, but it would have a family.

We would never be alone.





Chapter Sixty-Two


ERICA


The call I’d been waiting for came three days before Christmas.

I was going to be the new features reporter for Above the Fold. The first person I wanted to tell was Adrian. I’d decided that getting the job was permission for me to finally tell him how I felt as well.

If he laughed his ass off, then so be it. I’d be gone in two weeks anyway.

I was tired of the bullshit and needed to know, even if it broke me.

I waited until most of the staff had gone home for the day to tap his cubicle wall with my pen to get his attention. He was in the middle of editing my last article for the next day’s issue.

“What’s up?”

“So when you get a few minutes, or want to take a break, can I talk to you in the conference room?”

He narrowed his eyes. “Why?”

“Because I want to talk to you, duh?”

“Why can’t you talk to me now? Honestly, I got a shit ton of stuff to do before I leave tonight.”

Adrian was going to spend Christmas with his family in Big Bear. It would be the first time in years that he’d spent a holiday with them, and I couldn’t help feeling some sense of proud responsibility. He was leaving tomorrow for two weeks.

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. It was an honest-to-goodness Christmas fucking miracle.

Well, it would be, if he ever stopped working long enough for me to tell him. “I realize that you’re very busy, but it’s very important.”

His cell phone rang, and he put up his finger to let me know he’d be right back.

I sighed and went back to reading Twitter. But I stopped again when I noticed Isela walking into the newsroom.

“Where is he?” she said with a pout.

Annoyance bristled every nerve in my body. “He had to take a phone call. He’ll be right back. How did you get in here? The lobby is locked at this time of night.”

“The security guard recognized me from before. I told him my boyfriend was still working, and he let me in. Okay if I wait here?” She had already sat on his chair, so I nodded. Then she placed a shopping bag on his desk.

I stilled when I realized what she’d just said. Boyfriend? Since when?

“Did you bring him dinner from Bloomingdale’s?” I joked, trying very hard not to freak out.

She laughed. “It’s matching ski scarves. I bought them for our vacation. I want us to take a photo at the top of the mountain. That way we can use it for our Christmas cards next year.”

My heart sank. “Wait. So you’re going to Big Bear too?”

“I am. Me and my parents and Adrian and his parents. It’s going to be just like the old days. Did he ever tell you that he proposed to me on Christmas Day in the very same cabin we’re staying in? It’s a sign. Don’t you think? I predict we’ll be snuggling by the fire by this time tomorrow night.”

It was a sign, all right. A sign that I was a big old schmuck.

Adrian came back. “Isela. What are you doing here? How did you—”

“The security guard let her in,” I answered for her.

“Surprise,” she said and pulled out the scarves. She wrapped one around her neck and then the other one around his. But when she used it to pull him toward her, I decided I’d had enough. Of her. And him.

I stood up. “It’s late. I’m going home. If you have any questions, just text me.”

He pulled away from Isela. “Wait. I thought you needed to talk to me.”

“It’s not that important after all. Have a nice vacation. Bye, Isela.”

I grabbed my things and moved as fast as I could out the door. As usual, I wasn’t fast enough for Mr. Long Legs.

“Are you all right?”

I refused to look at him and stared at the elevator doors. “I’m fine. Just tired.”

“So you’re not even going to wish me a Merry Christmas? Some friend you are.”

I knew he was joking. But I wasn’t in the mood for his sarcasm. I lost it. “Yeah, well maybe I don’t want to be your friend anymore.” The words spilled out of my mouth, and there was nothing I could do to take them back. Especially when I finally looked at him and the expression of shock on his face.