Baby-mama? Harlem didn’t like the way the words dripped from her lips.
“You’re joking, right?” Carter said.
“That’s it?” Elaina’s voice was becoming elevated. “That’s all you’ve got for an explanation?”
“It’s not what it looks like.” Harlem started to explain then decided against it.
Carter was trying hard not to let his rising anger show. “It doesn’t look like anything!”
Harlem couldn’t believe he was that naïve. She couldn’t stand Elaina, so Harlem wasn’t inclined to explain a damn thing. Instead, she scooted out of the booth. “I’m going to the ladies' room. I’ll let you two sort this out.”
She got up and left.
“Carter, you said you had a doctor’s appointment. You never said you were going on a date.”
He was pissed and a strong sense of unease crept over him. “Elaina, have you lost your mind? Did you follow me?”
She had, but Elaina would never admit that. “No. I told you. I love Benny’s bagels.”
Carter had hoped to navigate this situation with Harlem, the baby, and Elaina, but now he wasn’t so sure it was possible. “Go home, Elaina. I will call you later.”
“What?” She looked fit to be tied. “Are you serious? I just caught you snuggled up with Harlem, and the only thing you have to say is, go home? No explanation? You didn’t even invite me to have breakfast with you to prove everything is on the up and up!”
“There’s no explanation because I’m not doing anything wrong.” After hearing the baby’s heartbeat, Harlem was even more of a priority. Carter couldn’t exactly say that. He also didn’t feel like expending the energy necessary to make Elaina feel better. And invite her to breakfast? He’d have to be crazy. Neither woman could stand the other. Carter wasn’t about to deal with that shit when all he wanted was some pancakes. “I will drop by your place after I take Harlem home. We’ll talk then.”
Pissed, Elaina stormed out of the restaurant. Soon after their server came back with their food, Harlem returned. “I figured breakfast would be in to-go bags.”
“Why would you think that? I invited you to share a meal.” Carter responded as if nothing had happened.
Harlem sat down. “Look, I am not a fan of Elaina’s. Honestly, I don’t like her one bit. But, I am a woman. I can see why she would be upset. Maybe we should just pack it up, and then you can go smooth it over with her.”
“I’m hungry. Didn’t you say you were too?” Carter reached for the syrup.
“I’m trying to be your friend and give you a little relationship advice. You said Elaina might be the one. If so, maybe show her a little consideration. This situation can’t be easy.”
“No. It’s not on any of us. I’ve never been in a real relationship, but even I know trust is important. And why would Elaina be jealous of you? You and I have known each other for over ten years, and we just decided five minutes ago that we would learn to be friends. Elaina knows that. Why on earth would she be jealous?”
Harlem stuffed a piece of toast in her mouth. She spoke with a mouth full of food. “Why? Well, maybe because your sperm fertilized my egg. I would absolutely hate that if you were my boyfriend. I mean haaaaaaaate it. Can you hand me that?” Harlem pointed to the syrup. Carter passed it over. “And then I show up at a restaurant, and you’re holding hands with said woman? I’d probably resort to violence. No way would I deal with that.”
“We weren’t holding hands.” Carter ate a piece of bacon.
“Technically, no, but your hand was on top of mine. Imagine if the situation was reversed.”
Harlem had a point. Maybe instead of contemplating a break-up with Elaina, he should be apologizing. He pulled out his phone and dialed his assistant’s number. She answered right away. “Amy, can you do me a favor and send some flowers to Elaina?”
“How bad did you mess up this time?” She asked.
“I think this one might be a ten.”
Chapter 9
It was a little after nine, and Harlem was already in bed. Only she couldn’t fall asleep. Instead, she laid on her back, staring up at the ceiling and caressing her stomach. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. Harlem spoke into the darkness. “I’m going to get it together.” She made a promise to her unborn child.
Harlem was determined to follow through. It was long past time to put one foot in front of the other and join the land of the living. First things first, she needed to pack away Damian’s things. Their home still looked as if he were going to walk through the door at any moment. The hospital bed in the spare room still remained. Damian would always occupy a special place in her heart, but it was time to close that chapter.
Her cell phone buzzed. She reached over and grabbed it from underneath her pillow. It was Carter. His name popping up on the screen didn’t evoke rage. That was progress.
They had turned a corner.
“Hey.”
“I thought my call was going to go to voice-mail.” He chuckled but only half-joking.
“It did cross my mind, but then I figured, what-the-hell. What’s up?”
Carter was winding down for the night and wanted to check on her. “Just thought I’d call to see
