Charity turned away. “I don’t expect anything,” she said flatly. “You don’t have to panic. I’m telling you as a courtesy, nothing more.”
He didn’t like the sound of that. “What do you mean?”
“I’m the one who’s pregnant, not you. The baby is my responsibility.”
“Mine, too,” he said, still not able to grasp the significance of what was happening.
A child. They were going to bring a child into the world. The phrase “ready or not” had never been so significant.
“I’ll figure this out,” he said, more to himself than her.
“You don’t have to.”
“I’m a part of this,” he told her. “I’ll be there for you and the baby.”
She didn’t look as if she believed him. Knowing all she did about his past, how he’d failed, he knew why she had doubts.
“Just give me a little time,” he told her, as he backed toward the door. “You’ll see.”
And then he was gone. Charity leaned back against the pillow and smoothed her hand over the still warm place on the bed. What she would see was how quickly he left, she thought sadly. His reaction wasn’t a surprise, but it was still very much a disappointment.
“OH MY GOD!” Pia stood in the doorway to her apartment and stared wide-eyed at Charity. “You look incredible. I love the cut and the color. You went to Julia, didn’t you? No one does highlights like her. Don’t tell Bella I said that. Wow. You’re all fluffy and pretty.”
Charity smiled wanly at her friend. “I’m not feeling especially fluffy.”
“Then come in and we’ll change that.”
Charity walked into the cheerful apartment. “I’m sorry for dropping in like this. I should have called. It’s late.”
Pia shook her head. “Don’t be silly. It’s not like I have a date or anything.” She led the way into the living room, where the TV showed a frozen frame of a movie. Sandra Bullock stood by a mailbox next to a house made almost entirely of glass.
“The Lake House,” Pia said. “I love it. I can’t help myself. He waited for her for two years. What guy does that?”
Charity hadn’t meant to come here. After Josh had left, she’d told herself that she would be fine. That she would get through this. Hundreds, maybe thousands of single women found out they were pregnant every day. They managed. It wasn’t the idea of being a parent on her own that was ripping her up inside. It was the realization that Josh didn’t love her back. She hadn’t really expected him to, but now she couldn’t even hope for a happy ending.
“All men are pigs,” she said, then motioned to the screen. “Except Keanu Reeves.”
“Exactly.” Pia led her to the sofa. “Although I should probably tell you I do have a new guy in my life.” She motioned to the short-haired marmalade cat curled up in a club chair. “That’s Jake,” she said, lowering her voice. “Crystal’s cat.”
“Oh. He’s beautiful.”
The cat looked up and stared at Charity. His eyes were large and the color of emeralds. His expression turned haughty, as if he found her wanting, then he put his head back down and closed his eyes.
“We’re spending the weekend together, seeing if we can figure out if we get along.” Pia wrinkled her nose. “I’m not really a pet person, but it’s a way to help Crystal. And maybe having a cat around will be a good thing.” She sounded doubtful.
“Is he friendly?”
“I don’t know. He keeps to himself. I’m respecting his need to take things slow.”
Charity stared at her friend. “He’s a cat.”
“I know, but aren’t they supposed to be haughty and aloof? I thought if I let him make the first move, things would go better. I don’t want him to think I want the relationship more than he does.”
“I think you’re giving him way too much credit. He doesn’t have a master plan.”
Pia eyed her loaner pet. “I’m thinking maybe he does. We’ll see what happens. So far he’s very quiet. And clean. I thought I’d be freaked out by the idea of a litterbox, but I’m not. His aim is a lot better than most guys I know.”
“Maybe he’s the answer.”
“Maybe.” Pia turned toward her. “Can I get you something? I have an assortment of ice cream selections. I’m going through a dairy phase. There’s not a single cookie in the whole place, but I probably have five different kinds of ice cream.”
“No, thanks.” Charity touched her stomach. So far she hadn’t had any cravings or queasiness, but she didn’t want to push anything too far.
“What’s going on?” Pia asked. “Something happened and I’m guessing it was with Josh.”
Charity nodded. “I don’t know why I let myself believe this would be different. Of all the guys to fall for. What was I thinking?”
“You weren’t thinking. That’s the problem. We don’t think when it comes to men. Honestly, I don’t know why Marsha is so hell-bent on getting more of them in town. They’re nothing but trouble.”
She reached for Charity’s hand and squeezed it. “Start at the beginning and tell me the horrible thing he’s done. Then we’ll get drunk and call him names.”