Beauty Mark

Chapter 10

The next morning, I skipped my regular trip to Starbucks, leaving Davis naked in bed, to go pick up Hayden for her ultrasound. I knew she wanted Tad to be a part of this, but if he were, then I couldn't be. So, as much as I hated that aspect for her, I was grateful to be able to share these moments. I couldn't wait to see this little peanut in action and to hear his tiny heartbeat.

I texted Hayden from the car, refusing to walk up the stairs only to turn around and walk back to the parking lot. Her head bobbed through the staircase rails, and her infectious smile came into view as she approached the passenger side.

When she opened the door, I immediately saw what a night with friends did for her demeanor. "Hola, chica," she sang before kissing my cheek.

"You're awfully chipper this morning."

She turned to smile in my direction. "Yeah, dinner and a good night's sleep will do that for you."

"I'm glad you had a good time. You and Davis seemed to hit it off really well."

"He's amazing for you, Callie. I can totally see what has you head over heels for him. The way he looks at you would melt any woman's heart. And you're right, he's smart as hell."

I swooned at her acknowledgment of everything I already knew. "He likes you a lot, too. He really thinks you should contact Tad's family."

She waved me off, not considering the idea any longer than it took to hear it.

"I can't wait for your ultrasound. This is the only thing that got me through my horrible release." I was looking forward to her baby more than I thought she was.

With her head against the seat, she turned to me. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"Being you. Loving me when I make a mistake and always being my biggest supporter." Her eyes swam with tears, but there was a smile lingering, too.

"Hayden, I know you didn't plan this, but it was fate's plan for you. It'll work out. And I'm going to be the best freaking aunt in the world."

She pointed at the building, interrupting the conversation. "It's right there."

I parked the car and followed her inside to sit in the waiting room while she checked in. I felt this crazy sense of calm, a serene joy for these women. Even those who looked miserably uncomfortable due to their size still lovingly stroked their bellies or held their tummies. Subconsciously, they protected their precious cargo. I couldn't wait to see Hayden like that...and then make fun of her for being all butt and belly...because that's what best friends do. At least that's what Hayden's best friend would do.

"What are you snickering about?" she asked as she took a seat next to me.

I hadn't realized I was giggling out loud. "Just dreaming of the day when you're rotund and I can make rollie-pollie comments and poke you...or even better, measure your butt against your stomach to see which one's bigger."

She smacked my arm and snorted. "You w***e. You better not make fun of me."

"I absolutely will, and you'll love it. So how long before I get to see my little cashew?"

"It shouldn't be long. Impatient much?"

"When it comes to my little guy, yes."

"Wait. When did you decide the baby's a boy?"

I blew her off. "Just a hunch."

"Uh huh. A hunch, huh?"

Saved by the nurse who called Hayden's name, I escaped having to explain myself. I'd bet my life she was having a boy. We wouldn't find out today-she'd informed me of that last night-but we would still get a snapshot of him.

Hayden settled on the table after undressing from the waist down and donning her little paper sheet. "This is horrible," she grumbled. "I had no idea they'd stick a wand up my twat."

I roared with laughter. "That's what you get for having a tilted uterus. Normally people are over the belly at this point. This is the least of your worries. Do you know how many people will be all up in your business during childbirth?" I didn't have kids or siblings, had never dated beyond Davis, and even I had picked up that much in health class.

"Shut up. You're supposed to be here for encouragement."

"I am. I'm encouraging you to get used to having s**t near your v****a that you don't want there." I gave her a loving sneer as the technician came into the room.

I nearly curled over in hysterics when the sonographer unwrapped a condom. When she rolled it down the shaft of her wand, I just about fell out of my chair with Hayden silently screaming at me to shut up.

But the instant the screen lit up, my face stilled, and my heart swooned. I'd heard of parents instantly loving their children, but the moment I saw that little bean on the screen and the flicker of his tiny heart, I was a goner. My eyes filled with tears I didn't bother to hold back. I was overwrought with emotion as I grabbed my best friend's hand and held on for the ride we were about to take.

The technician continued to talk in the background, although I hadn't heard a word she'd said until she congratulated us on our pregnancy and told us the baby measured around twelve weeks.

Wait. No.

Hayden didn't correct her, so I let it go. And when she handed me my very first picture of the little cashew-because let's be honest, he wasn't shaped like a damn peanut-I forgot about her comment, too.

Hayden was quiet throughout the visit, and I didn't really know what to say. If she was as profoundly touched by his little fleck of a heart as I was, there were no words to speak. I basked in the moment as we made our way back to the apartment.

I pulled into the closest parking place and turned off the ignition. Neither of us moved, but Hayden broke the silence.

"Callie, I'm scared." Her admission was so soft I almost missed it.

I shifted my ass in the seat to face her. "I'm sure. I think all new parents are." I hesitated to say more. "I know I'm not Tad, but I promise to love that baby like he's my own and give you all the support you need."

Her features softened as the corners of her mouth turned up in a gentle smile. "Stop calling the baby a him, w***e. I need a little girl. Glitter and tutus, not dirt and overalls." And just like that, my best friend was in the right frame of mind again, even if she was delusional about getting pink versus blue. She grabbed her purse and reached for the door handle. "Are you coming in or going to meet Davis?"

"Nope. I'm all yours today. Like it or not, you're stuck with me." I'd already told Davis I didn't know how this would go and thought it was important to be here for Hayden; luckily, he agreed.

"Guess it's a good thing I took the day off then, isn't it?" She didn't wait for my response and hopped out of the passenger side.

We spent the day talking about babies and books and my latest project, Pieces. We went back and forth about her telling Tad's family about the little nut and my querying agents. I wasn't sure she really even got what that meant, but she believed I should be signed with a big publisher. If that was the way to make that happen, then she thought I should do it. What neither Hayden nor Davis knew was I had sent out dozens of letters and received nothing but rejection in return.

Stacks and stacks.

They both believed in me. They both thought I had what it took to really make a career out of this, even if Hayden believed I should continue to have a job that issued a regular paycheck in the meantime. I couldn't ask for greater support, but I couldn't admit to them, no one I'd inquired with had had any interest-not even to see a manuscript. If I didn't admit I'd already tried the route they suggested, then they wouldn't know I'd failed.

I kept hoping with Hayden's help-and now Davis, who had contacts in the industry-I could build a following and the release of my second book would go better than the first. But I was going to have to make some serious choices in the near future about how to pay bills. I'd looked into ghostwriting and might have to apply for gigs to continue to harness my employment freedom.