Baby Be Mine(Spinsters & Casanovas Series Book 1)(28)

“About Elise…” Whitney started.

“What about her?”

“She’s not happy.”

“I didn’t notice.”

“Of course you wouldn’t notice. You were too consumed with finding the man to give you a baby.”

“I’m sorry. Am I being to forward with my desire for a family? So much that it’s impacting you? I’m sorry. I sound quite selfish now.”

“Look, Clarice, I don’t mind you looking for a life partner. Stop apologizing, for God’s sake. I want to talk about Elise, for you to keep an eye out for her. She doesn’t seem too happy these days.”

“Yes, I suppose she’s still not over her parents’ deaths.”

“That could be it.”

“We should do something to cheer her up.”

“We could. But we need to clear the air first. See what’s bogging her mind right now. See if she wants to tell us what the problem is.”

“Yes.” Clarice agreed.

That night after they finished their delicious meal of pizza, char noodles, rice rolls, and char satay, Max left, saying he needed to head back to his apartment to finish his homework. Once all was silent, Clarice eyed Whitney silently, signaling whether it would be the perfect time to speak.

With Whitney’s confirming nod, Clarice began her enquiry.

“Elise, we need to talk.”

Elise looked startled, dropping her chicken nibble into her peanut sauce.

“What about?” she asked, avoiding Clarice’s eyes.

“Why you’re always so easily startled like this,” Whitney said simply.

“What’s wrong? You can tell us.” Clarice reassured her friend.

“It’s nothing,” Elise said without looking at them.

“Nothing? Then why are you like this?” Whitney asked in frustration. The last time she saw something resembling this was after her parents’ death, and she didn’t like the outcome at all. Elise had almost committed suicide, saying there was no one left in Australia for her, as she was an only child. It was only when Clarice and Whitney went to help Elise and told her to move here that she even resembled a human being again.

Elise stayed silent again. Expelling a deep sigh, Clarice went to hug her friend.

“Look, I respect you, Elise, and if you want to keep it to yourself for now, then that’s fine too. We just want you to know you have us,” Clarice said, hugging her friend. She knew the feeling, having refused to speak up when people bullied her when she was young. Clarice didn’t want to pressure her friend into confessing anything until she was ready.

“We’ll stay by your side no matter what happened,” Whitney added. “And we’ll give you our undivided attention.”

“Yes, when the time comes, we’ll all be here for you,” Clarice said. “Max included.”

“Thank you, guys. I love you so much.” Elise hugged both of her friends. Somehow it would be a long time yet before she could tell her friends what she had been storing in this heart of hers. But it wasn’t the time yet, and she prayed it would never come, hoping and wishing she would never have to face that moment, hoping and wishing this feeling within her heart would one day fade away.

“I miss my parents,” she finally said, just to stop their curiosity for now.

“I miss them too. Just know we’ll always be there for you,” Clarice said.

“Same here.”

And then they all went into a little emotional downpour, with tears and snot mixed together. Three boxes of Kleenex later, Elise finally broke the silence.