My frown deepens. “Umm, no. I actually just got home.”
“Great!” she says with enthusiasm. “How would you like to come shopping with me on Fifth? I’m actually in your neighborhood. I could be there in five and pick you up.”
“You want to go shopping with me?” I’m momentarily stunned. “I’m not exactly the best fashion expert,” I admit with a nervous giggle.
“Yeah, it’ll be fun, and give us a chance to get to know each other better. And I don’t need you to be an expert at shopping. I just need you to tell me if something is hideous and I’ve lost my mind.” She laughs.
“I can do that,” I say smiling.Yeah, this could be fun.
“Great then! I’ll see you soon!”
“Oh, wait! I almost forgot, I’m not alone. I’ll explain when you get here, but is it okay if he tags along?” I scrunch my nose, hating that I have to ask permission, even though I know if she says no, I won’t be allowed to go. There’s no way Lionel will accept not coming along.
“Umm, yeah sure.” She sounds uncertain but still accepts.
“Okay, see you soon.” I let out a breath of relief as we hang up. “Hey, Lionel!” I shout once I’ve set my phone down.
“No need to shout, I’m right here.” He winks when I look over. “What can I do for you, young lady?”
“We’re going shopping with my friend. Is that okay?”
“Of course.” He looks down at the bowl of dried cereal in my hand. “Want me to bag those for you?”
“Please?” I grin widely and hand him the bowl as I stand from the couch and turn off my show that I haven’t been paying attention to.I’ll need to back it up later.
“Do we need to pick her up somewhere?” he asks just as I get a request on my phone for the front gate.
“No, actually she’s already here.” I open the gate and wander to the front door, slipping my feet into my ballerina shoes. SinceI never know when I’ll start to get dizzy, I prefer to not wear heels just in case I trip and fall.
I pull the door open just as she parks her car and comes up the steps. “Oh, wow. Look at you! Shane must be in heaven.” She wraps her arms around me as we hug.
She’s dressed in a cute half-sleeved, form-fitted pink dress that ends at her knees, while I’m wearing black leggings with a long-sleeve white shirt. I look extremely underdressed compared to her, but I’ve started getting uncomfortable in my clothes, so I try to wear things that have some stretch to it and don’t feel too tight around me.
“I’m not even sure heaven is the right word for it anymore now that he knows he’s going to be a girl dad.” I giggle, feeling my blush form along my cheeks.
“You’re having a girl!? Oh my God! Congratulations!” She hugs me tighter then lets go, her eyes roaming over me then falling on my belly with longing in her eyes. She shakes her head slightly and smiles. “So, where’s your friend?”
“Right here, ma’am,” Lionel says from behind me. When I look at him, he’s wearing a wide grin. “Pleasure to meet you. My name is Lionel.” He extends his hand to Hailey, whose eyes are as wide as saucers.
“Umm, hello, Lionel. I’m Hailey,” she answers after a moment.
“Lionel is my personal bodyguard, requested by Julian.” I roll my eyes, giving a sarcastic smile to Hailey.
“Wow! Iceman is that serious about the baby.”
“He is. I swear, you’d think it was his child I was carrying.” I laugh.
She shakes her head in disbelief. “Okay, well, are we ready to go?”
“Umm, yeah. Unless you want me to change?” I look down at my clothes.
“Nonsense, you look great.” She smiles and turns, heading back down the front steps. “Now let’s go shopping!”
“Actually, if you don’t mind, we’ll be taking my vehicle. I’d feel more at ease if something were to happen,” Lionel says as we make our way down as well.
I don’t bother locking up since Marianne and Antoine will still be here for a few hours. And if they leave before I return, they know to lock the door and set the alarm.
“Sure, let me just grab my purse then.” Hailey quickly goes over to her car then meets us beside Lionel’s SUV.
