“Obviously worried because he loves you.”
Warmth spread in Molly’s chest. “He doesn’t love me.”
“Sure. Keep telling yourself that.”
“He has a girlfriend. They’re moving in together.”
“I’m not debating this with you right now. But I know I’m right.” Nina pauses, and Molly hears the muffled sound of voices in the background. “I should go, Moll. I snuck off for a sec, but we’re all at the lodge doing après.”
“Fancy. Have a blast. And, Neens?”
“Yeah?”
“You can’t tell Cash, okay? Promise me? If this ever got back to Jake—”
“I won’t, I swear.” Nina paused. “Wait, one last thing. Have you been to the doctor?”
“Not yet.”
“You have to, Moll. Especially since you’re leaning toward keeping the baby.”
“I know. But the gyno I usually see is in New Jersey, and I figure I should find someone in the city.”
“My sister loved the OB she saw through both her pregnancies,” Nina said. “She’s at Lenox Hill, I think. Want me to ask Sofi for her info?”
“That would be amazing.”
“Your mom might have some recs, too. Being a labor and delivery nurse and all.”
“Yeah. I haven’t told her.”
“Oh, Moll. You have to.” Nina sighed. “Sorry, it’s not my place—you tell her when you’re ready. I just know she’d be supportive, that’s all. And it would probably feel really good to talk to her about it.”
Nina was right, Molly knew. After they hung up, she typed out a text.
Hey Mom. You and Andy get back from Naples today, right? I was thinking of taking the train out tomorrow morning and staying the night? I miss you guys! Let me know.
Her mother replied several hours later.
Hi Moo! We miss you SO much. Grams says she’s proud of you for working so hard and can’t wait to read your book soon. Yes, A and I just landed in Newark. Would love you to come out tomorrow! Let me know what train you get and I’ll pick you up at the station
Molly put her phone down, crippled with guilt. Her book. She hadn’t touched the manuscript since before Christmas.
But she couldn’t think about Needs, not right now. At least not until she’d gotten a bit more emotional distance from Jake. Besides, Bella and Alexis still thought she was on vacation in Europe for another whole week. This bought her a little time.
Molly woke early on Sunday morning, nausea shriveling her insides. She never felt sick enough to puke, which almost made it worse. All she could do was ride out the queasiness, nibbling saltines until the gut-churning waves finally subsided, leaving her in a hungover-like oblivion for the rest of the day.
But this morning, Molly was catching the 10:11 train to Denville out of Penn Station, and she didn’t have the luxury of wallowing in bed. She tossed an array of toiletries and comfy sweats into her bag—she never cared what she wore at home—and tried not to think about how her mother would react when Molly told her that she was carrying Jake’s baby. Christ.
Molly slid on a pair of black leggings and her favorite oversize cashmere sweater. She’d just requested an Uber—she didn’t want to lug her big canvas tote on the subway—when the buzzer rang.
Her stomach flipped. Could it be Jake? Had he come back from Europe early as a romantic gesture to save their relationship? Molly shook her head, dismissing the thought. No, that was impossible, and besides, Jake had a key.
She pressed the intercom button. “Who is it?”
“It’s Hunter. Can I come up?”
Molly’s stomach flipped again, twisting into a hard knot. What was Hunter doing at her apartment at nine thirty on a Sunday morning?
“I’m coming down,” she called into the intercom. “I just called a car to Penn Station. I’m heading to New Jersey, and my train leaves in forty minutes.”
Molly’s phone vibrated—a text that her Uber had arrived. She heaved the canvas bag over one shoulder and left the apartment.
Hunter was waiting on the sidewalk, hands stuffed in the pockets of his black overcoat, which he wore over dark jeans. His face was freshly shaven, but he looked exhausted, his eyes puffy. Behind him, Molly’s Uber—a white Toyota Camry—slowed to a stop at the curb.
“I’m sorry to show up like this.” Hunter stepped toward her, and somehow he seemed taller and bigger today, the span of his shoulders stretching his wool coat. “I really need to talk to you.”