Elle’s bottom lip does that subtle tremble that I’ve seen a few times. “I mean…” She clears her throat. “I found out today at the doctor.”
I already knew that because I approved Celia’s request to take the day off soshecould be there. I’m sure Celia told Ellethatbecause that’s the kind of relationship they have, so I merely nod.
Elle stares back at me for a second before dropping her gaze to fish through her purse. A moment later, she pulls out a glossy, black-and-white print-out and holds it out to me. “She looks like she has your nose.”
I almost don’t want to look at it, but I take it anyway. The photo distinctly features the profile of a baby, and someone typed across the bottom,Little Baby Girl Coming in April.
Looking up, I offer Elle what I know is a sad smile. “April, huh?”
The smile she offers me is equally wistful as she nods. “You can keep that.”
I swallow. “Thank you.” It’s better thannothing, I suppose. Clearing my throat, I step farther back from her. “I guess I’m going to head to the police station. Thanks for calling me.”
Her throat pulses as she clutches the strap of her purse to the center of her noticeably fuller, but still perfect breasts. “Of course. I’m going to put a hold on his case, but it would be helpful if you kept me updated on what you hear from them. When Archer turns up, we’ll just start wherever we need to start with him.” She reaches to hold the side of my arm for a second. “He’s got a good heart and wants to be better than this, he just has a disease. I know you’ve been dealing with this for a long time, and it’s normal to get frustrated, but try not to give up on him.”
I hitch one shoulder. “I haven’t yet.” I glance at her hand on my arm and then back at her face. “So you want me to… like, call you or text you or something? I mean, to keep you updated.”
“Yeah.” A quick smile ghosts across her lips as her hand slips away from my arm. “If you don’t mind.”
“I don’t.” Sweeping my eyes across the apartment one last time, I huff loudly and roll my eyes. This isn’t just waiting for the other shoe to drop. This is like someone’s about to turn over an entire dumpster of nasty, mildewed, hobo-sweat-filled-steel-toed-boots on my head.
Elle turns toward the door, and I follow her. After locking up, curiosity gets the best of me, and I cast a casual glance at her while we stroll down the hall.
“You have a name yet?”
She walks next to me, hands cupping her belly as she winces. “I don’t. I tried to think of some, but nothing ever really struck me as right for either a boy or a girl. Now Ireallydon’t know.” She sighs loudly. “I really have no idea what I’m doing with any of this, Colin. It’s actually kinda scary.”
“It’s scary because there’s a lot on the line, and you just want to do the right thing.” I shrug as we stop at the elevator and then push the button. “I think that’s normal.”
“Yeah.”
We stand in silence for a moment until we step inside, and then Elle meets my eyes in the reflection of the closing doors.
“You know… if you think of any names you like, you should let me know what they are.”
And atthat, I can’t stop the wide smile that stretches across my face—one that belies the turmoil inflicted by yet another Archer situation, andyes, I was right about everything this could be. If only it could actually be.
“I’ll do that, Elle.”
And then… she returns my smile with an equally wide one of her own.
Hope. My drug of choice.
21
Elle Kissinger: Morning! :) Just wanted to check in and see if you had any news.
Colin Flannery: Good morning and :) to you, too. Missing persons unit has transferred the case to a detective and he’s been tracing the location of Archer’s phone.
Colin Flannery: Apparently, he’s been in South Texas for the past two weeks.
Elle Kissinger: !!
Elle Kissinger: Texas!
Colin Flannery: yeah
Elle Kissinger: That’s bananas!
