“Morning. Thanks for picking me up.”
The car inched away from the curb. “No problem. I’m excited you invited me along.”
“I need the moral support.”
Virginia reached over and patted the back of Brooklyn’s hand. “It’ll be fine. You don’t have to do anything other than listen to what they have to say.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Brooklyn pulled a lip balm out of her purse and reapplied. It was getting colder every day and her lips were taking a beating from dry air. Kissing Alec hadn’t helped much either, but she considered it a small price to pay for that. “I just talked to Cy about the job. He needs a few more weeks to decide.”
“Is there a Plan B?”
“Like with most things in my life, the answer to that question is no.”
“We’ll figure it out. Don’t worry too much.”
“I know. I just hate having things hanging over my head. I live to take things off my to-do list.”
“I hear you. I practically have an orgasm when I can cross something out in my planner.”
Brooklyn let out an unflattering snort. “Sometimes I write down things I’ve already done, just so I can cross them off.”
“Has Alec gotten anywhere with connecting you with investors? If we’re going to do this, I feel like we need to jump on it. You never know with Mom. She doesn’t always listen.”
“He helped me a ton before he went out of town. He connected me with a woman named Kristin who brokers deals like this. It’s not that different from when we first raised capital to start Posh Post. Alec thinks it can come together quickly and Kristin seems to agree. She’ll give us an update soon.”
“Sounds like all we can do now is wait.”
The drive to the fertility clinic seemed like it took no time, which was a nice change of pace since the weeks before today had seemed to creep along. Virginia and Brooklyn rode up the elevator to the 4thfloor of an office building in the Flatiron district.
When they stepped off the elevator, Brooklyn was pleasantly surprised. As nice as the lobby looked on the clinic’s website, it was even more beautifully appointed in person. With furnishings in white and pale gray, and the most flattering lighting Brooklyn had ever seen, it felt like walking into a sliver of serenity. “This is really nice,” she said to Virginia as they approached the reception desk.
“Beautiful.”
“And so quiet,” Brooklyn muttered.
“I’d love to come here and take a nap.”
The woman seated at the desk was tapping away at her computer, and she smiled, quite pleasantly, but was still looking at the screen. “I’m so sorry to keep you wait—” She turned, laid eyes on Brooklyn, and a tiny squeal leaked out of her mouth. “Ms. Monroe. We’ve been waiting for your arrival.”
“You have?” Brooklyn was a little taken aback. When she’d made her appointment, it had all been very straightforward and completely devoid of squealing.
She laughed and knocked her head back and forth. “Yes. Everyone at the clinic isveryexcited.”
“They are?”
She leaned forward and peered up at Brooklyn. “I don’t want to alarm you, but a lot of the techs and nurses are big fans,” she whispered. “And the doctors adore you. New appointments are up fifteen percent.”
“Because of me?”
The woman nodded eagerly. “Every time you’re on TV, there’s a new influx of patients.”
Virginia elbowed Brooklyn in the ribs. “Sounds like somebody has some fans.”
This was all way too weird, but gosh, it was nice to feel so welcome.
“I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Beverly,” the receptionist said, getting up from her desk. “Let me take you back to Dr. Alcott’s office. I’ll be sure to get her right in to see you. I know you’re a very busy woman.” She led Brooklyn and Virginia down a hall. It was a short trip, but several nurses stopped and politely said hello. “Here we are.” She waved Brooklyn and Virginia into a truly lovely office, decorated in placid shades of blue, with crisp white walls, zero clutter, and was that the smell of fresh-baked shortbread cookies? It was like something out of a Scandinavian home magazine, or an ultra-cool display at Ikea.
“Now, what can I get you to drink? We have mineral water, sparkling or flat. We have every flavor of herbal tea you can imagine. We also have vegan hot cocoa made with organic fair-trade cocoa.”
