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Something about the way he said “help” made my skin crawl. Probably because Sophie told me he was her sponsor.Quid pro quo.
“No, thanks.” My voice was a bit too loud.
Trevor chuckled again.
Sophie scowled at me.
I gave them a wave before rushing out of the room. But not before hearing Trevor refer to me as “charming.”
I didn’t stop moving until I reached the subway. Once on the platform, I took out my phone and opened a search for “New Solutions Family Planning.” As much as I didn’t want to admit it, Sophie was right. Working for free did not pay the bills. But carrying a baby for a family in need…wouldn’t that be something more noble?
Apparently, giving one driver misleading directions on a call and pulling a table out too far was enough for Boho Soho Bistro not to hire me after two days of working for free. I touched my growling, flat stomach.I didn’t even get to eat the food.
Despondent, I returned to my dorm with a plan to raid Sophie’s refrigerator, only to find Isabelle reading a book on Sophie’s bed.
“Sophie’s with Trevor for the weekend, and my roommate has someone over—”
“You don’t have to explain.” I plopped down on the bed and massaged my sore feet.
“No luck?” she asked.
I shook my head.
She let out a deep sigh and ran a hand over her small belly. “Since I became pregnant, I can hardly sleep. At first, my surrogate mom-ster didn’t want me staying with them, but she wasn’t happy with her baby growing in a ‘chaotic environment.’So now I’m going all the way to Westchester County, where the surrogate family lives to stay with them. They’re forcing me to take a leave of absence from school.”
I frowned. Isabelle was a teacher’s favorite and had the chance at a mentorship at one of the big fashion houses. “That’s awful.”
She shrugged. “They’re paying my student loan and giving me a ten-thousand-dollar cash bonus before I even have their baby. My parents ruined my credit when I was born by taking out credit cards in my name and not paying the bills. My scholarships didn’t cover it all. I’m desperate.”
I nodded. So was I. Most of my problems came from a lack of money. An influx of cash could solve my parents’ problems, too.
“I know what you’re thinking. Being a surrogate is not as glamorous as it sounds. The more money involved, the higher the expectations. They dive into every corner of your life. The pressure to conceive is enormous, and the frustration of not is so hard. It took three tries for me. Each time was devastating. The relationship with the family is so involved and consumes all my time and energy. The process takes over my whole life. Honestly, I don’t recommend it, but I can see from your face you’re going to try.”
I hunched my shoulders. Isabelle was only trying to warn me that surrogacy was tough. But hard work wasn’t enough to scare me off. Sure, a baby was a big complication I worked hard to avoid after living homeless with my mom during those early years. I didn’t remember it all, but most of what I did recall, I wish I didn’t. However, I had to find a way to help my parents.
“I’m not sure I will, but I need the money.”
“If you do decide to try, please use me as a referral because if you’re accepted, I get a bonus. But don’t tell them anything else. I signed a nondisclosure agreement. Stupid me thought Sophie could be trusted—”
“I promise not to say a word. Thanks, Isabelle.”
My knitted shirt had a collar after the forty minutes it took to reach New Solutions Family Planning on Park Avenue. It took three weeks for me to pass their initial screening and make an appointment. Dad was home, but he was in desperate need of a transplant. I tried to take out another school loan but was turned down. The surrogacy would have to work out, or I’d have to consider Lollipop Sugar Babies. I filled out their form, placed recent photos and measurements on their website, and was invited to one of their mixers that was due to take place in a week.
My appointment at New Solutions was all day. After signing a slew of legal documents, I had the most thorough physical examination of my life that included blood tests, X-rays with tests for diseases, and possibly some genetic screening. The rich were willing to pay for the baby of their creation, and I found it disheartening. Although, I could hardly stand on my ethical high horse when I was vying to have their baby. But I was determined to do whatever it took to help my family. My parents could have put me in foster care. Instead, they raised me as their own and gave me a good life. That was what I hoped for the family I became a surrogate for.
The last examination was a psychological Interview with Dr. Casey, who was running late on an emergency call.
Everything in the waiting area was designed to make people relax. Dark palette furnishings, muted lights, and extracushioning on the lounge chairs with soft classical music playing in the background. I tried to return to my knitting, but the melody was like a lullaby and drew out every bit of tension I held on to. The noise of the dorms had kept me up, and the only thing I’d eaten was a vending machine muffin to avoid arriving late for the appointment.
So I drifted off to sleep. For how long, I didn’t know. Once I fully came to my senses, I realized a man was seated across from me. I couldn’t look away, not because he was virtually impossible to ignore, but because I recognized him.
Iwas well past courteous social decorum in my fixation on the man.
The Crane men were all similar in appearance: sculpted, high cheekbones, classic noses, and full, sensual lips. Even though I was from a small town, I knew about their history. They were American royalty, a rare family that could trace their lineage back to early colonization. They were fortunate enough to have accrued a massive wealth well into the billions with a long history of real estate ownership, land, and stocks.
But even with all that fortune, the Cranes weren’t without tragedy. It had been impossible to avoid the photos in the news from the plane crash in Prague, where Paul tragically lost his wife a couple of years back during their honeymoon. The press was ruthless in their pursuit of him. One even captured him on his knees, sobbing at the airport arrival gate. Just thinking back on the image brought tears to my eyes.
Yet, I couldn’t look away. Not only did he have looks that stunned, but he was also styled to perfection.
