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Dereck said a quick goodbye and Laura switched calls, answering with a joyous tone, “Hello.” Alina stared at her mother, wide jawed. “Oh hi, Bailey, how are you?”
Alina’s body flashed into action and she reached out, tugging at the phone at her mother’s ears. Bailey was the last person she wanted her mother engaged in conversation with. With her friend’s talkative nature, the two women would be on the phone all day.
“Bailey, this unruly child is tugging the phone.” Her mother dared to be upset. “I’ll talk to you the next time.”
Alina didn’t wait for Bailey to respond before snatching the phone away, winning the battle. She didn’t answer immediately, though. Alina scurried upset to her bedroom, where she locked the door behind her.
She breathed out a sigh of relief. “Hi, Bailey.”
“I think we’ve given you enough time, don’t you?” Her friend had a no-nonsense aura about her. “It’s time to tell us what’s going on with you.”
“Is Peyton there with you?” Alina twirled some loose strands of hair around her face.
“Who else do you think it is? It isn’t Taylor. She refuses to tell us what’s going on. She said you should tell us yourself. So… start talking.” Well, Alina knew this time was coming. She couldn’t keep her friends in the dark anymore.
“I broke up with Dereck.” She pressed her fingers to her forehead.
“That can’t be the reason you drove all the way to Maryland. You always complain about how much your mother nags.” Peyton was sharp. This made telling the sisters easier.
“After I found out I am pregnant,” Alina extended the sentence before giving the women a moment to digest the sentence.
Peyton accepted her offering, but Bailey’s mouth took control of her. “You’re what!”
“Pregnant,” Alina said, and then updated the sisters on her situation, including the reconciliation of her relationship. While she spoke, Bailey made little noises, announcing her disapproval and approval.
“I can’t believe we’re going to have a little one in our group,” Peyton cooed. “Congratulations Alina.”
“As your friend Alina, you have all my support,” Bailey began, and Alina made herself comfortable for what she knew was to come. “But as your manager, I must say this is the absolute worst time. I just finished compiling all your reviews from the art show and I was hoping you’ll ride the waves of your new fame and start getting ready for the next show right away. You got contacted by a University Alina. A freaking University. They want you to paint a mural in the courtyard.”
“What did you tell them?” Alina felt a rush of energy surge through her.
“I told them we’ll get back to them, of course, but now I’m not so sure that’s a good idea.” Bailey’s tone completely lost all its excitement from just a moment ago.
“I’ll think about it, okay. I still have about seven months before the baby comes. But I don’t know when I’m coming back to New York.” Alina breathed hard and lay flat on the bed.
“No rush Alina.” Bailey was understanding. “Just take care of yourself.”
Alina finished the call with the sisters and only meant to close her eyes for a moment, but she fell into a deep sleep.
39
Dereck settled his jacket in the mirror for the fifth time when he heard his phone ring. When he recognized the caller, he didn’t want to answer the phone, but at the last minute decided against it.
“Mom,” he said in a stern voice. “I can’t talk right now.”
“Then when can you talk?” the woman blurted out. “Because you never call me. And when I call you, you’re always too busy.”
Dereck sat down on his bed. “Come on, Mom. You know what kind of work I do.”
“Are you at work now?” his mother asked sharply.
Dereck considered lying. It was the fastest way to get her off the phone. No matter how much his mother didn’t want him in the medical profession, she didn’t want to hamper him from saving lives. He knew his mother well, though, and she wouldn’t ask without already knowing the answer. She had probably observed his background, or maybe she spoke to Dina. “No mother. But I am about to leave.”
“So, you can’t spear a few minutes for your mother?” She was determined to engage him in conversation. Even if she had to use guilt to do it.
Dereck acknowledged defeat. “Ok, Mom. What do you want to talk about?”
“When are you returning to Connecticut?” The woman asked with eager anticipation. “I was wondering if you’ve given any more thought about taking over the company. Maybe we can celebrate new ownership when the New York restaurant opens.”
