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I can’t stomach another conversation with him. It hurts to feel this way about someone I considered my best friend. “I can’t. I’m leaving in a few minutes.” A bit of an exaggeration. I have half an hour before Alec picks me up.
“It won’t take long, I promise,” he says and turns around to go back into the kitchen.
I have no choice but to follow him. “What’s up?”
“I just wanted to let you know that I’m moving out at the end of the month. These last few days have been uncomfortable for you, and I’m sure you’ll be happy to see the last of me.” He looks at me hopefully.
I don’t contradict him. He’s right. This is the best news. Right now, we need space from each other, and his moving out is perfect. I’m not in a hurry to move in with Alec now that we are getting married. I might wait until we’re married. It will make it more special.
“I appreciate it.”
His shoulders slump, but he tries to put on a cheerful face. “No problem, I’ll let you know when I’m ready.”
I manage a smile. “Great.”
We stare at each other, but there’s nothing more to say. He excuses himself and leaves. I let out a breath I hadn’t known I’d been holding. I grab a banana and wolf it down when standing. Still hungry, I grab another one.
I return to my room to shut off my computer. The open browser shows listings of available houses to rent. I’m relieved that I don’t have to think about moving out just yet. I’m beginning to get more tired with every week that goes by.
I shut it down and then go to my closet to find something to wear. What do you wear to a radio interview? I guess it doesn’t really matter since what the listeners will hear is just my voice. I’ll go for comfortable, I decide and settle on a pair of joggers and a matching long top that can accommodate my pregnant belly.
I take a quick shower, the second one of the day. The first one was early morning, and now it’s almost half-past three.
At exactly three-thirty, Alec is at my doorstep. I fling it open and give him a wide smile.
“Hi, babe.” I go on tiptoe to kiss him.
“Hello, you,” he says, his arms slipping around my waist.
The kiss deepens, and I moan into his mouth. This man. Our tongues play a game of twist, and our hands caress each other. On the doorstep. Fuck the neighbors, as Alec would say.
“I hate to break this up,” Alec says, pulling away. “But duty calls. We don’t want to be late.”
“I’m ready. I’ll just grab my purse,” I tell him.
I’m outside in less than a minute. Alec holds my door open, and after a quick kiss on his lips, I’m in the car. My nervousness returns when the car starts moving.
“I’ve never been interviewed, except for a job, and that was a waitressing gig,” I say. “Any tips for a beginner?”
“I’m sure you’ll be a natural,” Alec says. “A tip? Let me think. Okay, here’s one, just be yourself. Oh yes, and the host’s name is Liz. They like it when you remember their names.”
I nod. “Liz.”
“Think of it as a conversation with a friend. Don’t think about the thousands of listeners out there,” Alec says.
I shoot him a dirty look. It’s wasted since his focus is on the road. “Thanks for pointing that out.”
“It’s an entertainment show, not rocket science. You’ll be fine,” Alec says.
“That’s good to know. So, since we’ll be talking about us, what should I say if she asks me how we met?” This has been bugging me since I learned about the interview.
“We have to think of a story. We cannot tell them how we met.”
I hate lying. I really do. “I think it’s a cute story.”
“It is, but it’s not just about us. Remember everything we say and do is about the clinic. Imagine if it got out that we botched up the surrogacy. What it would do to our reputation.”
“You are really devoted to the clinic, aren’t you?”
