The Baby Interview

by Robbie Terman

  "Okay.” Sarah took a seat on a stool. “This sounds like a juicy story. Let's dish."

  Lucy glanced at Sarah's salmon-colored scrubs, her uniform as a pediatric nurse. “Don't you have to go to work?"

  "I have time. You can't start a story like that and not finish. Go on."

  Lucy sighed and plopped down on the stool next to Sarah, giving her a shortened version of Saturday's events.

  "Wow,” Sarah said when Lucy finished. “That's unbelievable! Who does this guy think he is, going around trying to buy babies?"

  "Daddy Warbucks, apparently. He thinks he can buy anything he wants, including a family."

  Lucy covered her face with her hands. “I feel so stupid. I actually thought he was interested in me. I knew he'd realize soon enough that he was out of my league, but for a little while, I thought I'd get to live out every girl's dream. To meet a rich, handsome man who would sweep me off my feet."

  Sarah pulled Lucy's hands away from her face and shot her a stern gaze. “No one is out of your league."

  "You should have seen his house, Sar."

  "That doesn't matter. It's just a house. A thing. If he didn't respect you for the amazing person you are, then he's the one who's not good enough for you."

  "The worst part is,” Lucy admitted, “when I looked at that paper, saw all those zeros, for a second..."

  "You considered it."

  Lucy nodded. “Only for a split second."

  When she'd looked at that figure, she'd seen more than numbers. She'd seen her ability to send Ben to medical school. The amount Cole proposed would be more than enough to send Ben to Stanford and still leave a little nest egg for her. But that image had lasted just long enough for her to recall what she would be required to do. Give up her child. She couldn't do it. Not even for Ben.

  "Don't beat yourself up about it.” Sarah gave Lucy a hug. “Nobody could look at a number that big and not think about the possibilities."

  "You're right.” Lucy took a calming breath. “I'll find a way to pay for Ben's medical school, without resorting to selling my firstborn.” She stood up and walked to the cooler to replace the rose she had crushed.

  "So, tell me again what he looked like?"

  Lucy rolled her eyes. Sarah was a hopeless flirt. But just for fun, Lucy played along. “He is gorgeous. Just your type, really. Maybe you should have his baby."

  She closed her eyes, Cole's image running through her mind like an erotic daydream. “Seriously, he has the most beautiful blue eyes I've ever seen. But that's not even his best feature. He has this—"

  "Adorable dimple in his left cheek,” Sarah finished.

  "Yeah. How'd you know?"

  "Because he's standing in the shop."

  Lucy's eyes popped open and she rushed to Sarah's side. Peering through the doorway into the shop, she caught sight of Cole chatting with Lizzie and grabbed Sarah's arm. “What is he doing here?"

  "I don't know.” Sarah leaned forward for a better view. “But you're right. He is hot with a capital H! Maybe I'll see if the position is still open."

  "I wouldn't recommend it,” Lucy said. “You'd be more likely to give birth to a donkey than a human."

  Lucy's already tense nerves began to fray as she spied on him through the doorway. He was still talking to Lizzie, which irritated her all the more. She hoped he wasn't about to proposition the young girl. Lucy doubted Lizzie's parents would be thrilled if their teenager had a baby.

  As her last nerve severed and she was about to confront Cole head on, Lizzie stepped into the back room, giggling. “Lucy, there's a man here to see you."

  "Send him back,” Lucy told her, hoping her voice sounded cool and calm. She wanted to be as together as possible when she faced Cole. He could never know how much he affected her, how much she wanted to drown in his eyes.

  Lucy moved over to the mirror and smoothed her hair into place. In the reflection, she caught sight of Sarah, her eyebrow raised. “What? I don't want to look like a slob. It has nothing to do with him. I'd do it for any customer."

  "Sure, I believe you,” Sarah replied in a tone that indicated the opposite.

  "Hey."

  Lucy's attention shifted from Sarah to the man walking into the back room. Damn Cole for always looking so good! If possible, he looked even better today than the day they'd met. He'd removed the jacket from his suit and wore a blue button-down shirt that matched his eyes. The material of the shirt clung to him, displaying a muscular chest and arms that had seen more than one bench press.

  "Hi, I'm Cole Donovan,” he said to Sarah while Lucy stood by like a mute.

  Sarah slid down from the stool, her brown eyes gazing over him appreciatively. “Sarah Kirby. I'm Lucy's best friend and if you're still hiring, I'm definitely applying."

  Cole laughed and his gaze turned to Lucy. “Sorry. The position has already been filled."

  "Too bad.” Sarah leaned over and gave Lucy a quick hug. “I've got to go to work. I'll talk to you later, Luce. It was very nice to meet you, Cole."

  "You too,” Cole called as Sarah left, but his eyes never left Lucy's.

  It felt like he was gazing into her very soul. She broke eye contact and turned around to resume arranging her bouquet.

  With her back to him, and his dimple out of sight, she finally found her voice. “So, you've filled the position since the other night? Good for you. Now leave."

  "What I meant was I already found the perfect person for the position, but—"

  "She's not interested in being a human breeder,” Lucy finished. “Now, will you leave?"

  She continued to concentrate on the bouquet in front of her, even though it looked as though a five-year-old had put it together. She would have to scrap it and start over when Cole left, but for now it was her lifeline, the only thing keeping her from doing something stupid, like throwing herself in Cole's buff embrace.

  "Lucy, I came to apologize."

  All of a sudden, Lucy felt warm air brush her neck and she realized he was standing against her back. His woodsy scent filled her nostrils and she took a deep breath.

  She fought to maintain her cool composure. “Fine. If that's the reason you came here, I accept. Have a nice life."

  But Cole wasn't giving up. “I brought you something."

  "An ovulation monitor?” she muttered under her breath. She turned around, letting out an over-the-top sigh to let him know she was annoyed.

  The dimple in his cheek revealed he wasn't the least bit put off.

  He handed her a gold box she instantly recognized as Godiva chocolates. “Truffles. I figured this was a better way to say sorry than with flowers."

  "These are my favorite,” she grudgingly admitted. The fact that he had picked out her favorite, most indulgent treat after knowing her for one day was another reason to hate him and she clung to it. “But this doesn't change anything. I'm not interested in being a surrogate mother, no matter how much money or how many gifts you throw at me."

  "This has nothing to do with pressuring you. My motives are pure. I promise. I just wanted to apologize for the misunderstanding."

  "Then thank you for the chocolates.” She waited for him to leave, but he just stood in place, staring at her.

  "Have dinner with me tonight."

  "Are you slow?” Her anger came back full-force. “Let me make this clear, in case you didn't understand the first forty times. I. Am. Not. Having. Your. Baby.” To her even greater frustration, Cole laughed. “Is this funny?"

  Cole stopped laughing, but he still looked amused. “I'm sorry. I really don't mean to laugh. I just find your passion so refreshing.” He cleared his throat and his expression turned serious. “In any case, up until the end, I had a really good time Saturday night. I'd like us to be friends."

  "Oh, sure. Because we have so much in common."

  "We'll never know unless we spend time together."

  He stared at her so earnestly that she wanted to believe him. On Saturday, she had been having a grea
t time before she realized why she was there. They couldn't have a romantic relationship—Cole clearly wasn't looking for love—but there was no reason they couldn't be friends.

  Except she didn't know if she could be just friends and not let her feelings develop into something more. What would happen then? Would she give in and sell her baby? Or would she have to sit by and watch as another woman grow large with Cole's child? No, the price was too high.

  "I can't.” She prayed her expressive face didn't betray her uncertainty. “And please don't try to change my mind. It's made up."

  His expression never changed, but she could swear she saw regret flicker in his eyes. “I understand. And again, I apologize. I hope you'll still accept my business."

  "Of course.” She wasn't a total fool. She knew how much Cole spent on flowers each month. “Goodbye, Cole."

  "Goodbye, Lucy."

  She watched as he walked out the door, and then dumped out the arrangement she'd been working on and started over.

  * * * *

  "Child, you've been running for over an hour! Your supper's getting cold."

  Cole finished chugging his bottle of water before he answered Nanny Hilda. She was the only person in the world who could get away with scolding him. His parents had lost that privilege before he'd even finished elementary school.

  "I needed to get rid of some of this negative energy,” he told his childhood nanny.

  "You don't need to run until you look like you're going to drop dead. You talk to me."

  The same thought had invaded Cole's head as he'd hit mile five. As a child, whenever he'd been conflicted or upset, Nanny Hilda had been his constant voice of reason. It was one of many reasons Cole had invited her to live with him when she'd retired from the Donovan payroll.

  "Okay. Let me take a shower and we can talk over dinner."

  Fifteen minutes later, after a few bites of her prime rib and baked potato, Nanny Hilda put down her fork. “Tell me what's bothering you. It's not this nonsense about hiring a surrogate."

  Cole bit back a sharp retort. Nanny Hilda had been quite vocal about disagreeing with his plans, but that wouldn't change his mind. He knew in the end she would support him. That was why he'd told her and not his parents. “I found a surrogate."

  Nanny Hilda's eyes turned from stern to misty in less than a second. “Oh, my baby is going to have a baby!” She threw her large arms around him in a hold that resembled a choke hold more than a hug.

  "There's one problem,” he wheezed. “She hasn't said yes yet."

  Nanny Hilda's iron grip slackened. “What do you mean? Why'd she interview if she didn't want to do it? Does she want more money?"

  "Not exactly.” He told her the whole tale, from mistaking Lucy for an applicant to his trip to her floral shop.

  "If she doesn't want to do it—"

  "She'll do it,” Cole cut her off.

  Nanny Hilda shook her head and tsked. “I taught you better than that, Cole. Not everything is for sale."

  "I've never met anyone who wouldn't change their mind for the right amount of cash. Lucy's the same. I just have to find the right price."

  "If it is just about money, then why'd you bring her chocolates?"

  Cole considered for a moment. “It was an impulse,” he admitted. “I wanted to give her something. But trying to win her friendship couldn't hurt. If she gets to know me better, there's a better chance she'll agree."

  "Maybe you're attracted to her."

  "No.” Cole shook his head. “No. I mean, she's beautiful. Blonde hair, killer body, and the cutest blush...” He cut himself off with a cough when he realized Nanny Hilda was grinning at him. “I'm not attracted to her more than any other hot-blooded American male would be. I can't be. It would be a disaster to be attracted to my child's mother."

  "Actually, that's the way it usually happens,” Nanny Hilda pointed out.

  "It would be a disaster because I have no intention of getting emotionally involved.” Cole shot her his most annoyed look, the one that made his employees cower in the boardroom. It didn't faze Nanny Hilda.

  "But you don't have to worry, because you're not really attracted to Lucy."

  "That's right.” He picked up his fork and took another bite. “Lucy will be the mother of my child and nothing else."

  * * * *

  On Saturday, Lucy found herself back at Cole's house, with three enormous bouquets of flowers. Last Wednesday, she had lucked out. The driver from the gift basket store next to her shop had agreed to deliver the Donovan biweekly order. Unfortunately, he was unable to help her out today, and because the driver she hired couldn't start until Monday, here she was. As she slowly drove up the long driveway, she prayed she could sneak in the back door unseen.

  After parking around back, she took a box filled with bouquets to the kitchen door. She tapped smartly, and then walked in. She set the box on the island.

  "Hello,” she called, her voice loud enough to echo in the kitchen, but hopefully quiet enough not to travel through the many rooms. When no one answered, she recalled the name of Cole's housekeeper. “Mrs. Simms? I have your flower delivery."

  To her relief, a robust woman, about sixty-five years of age, with gray hair pulled into a bun and charmingly wrinkled skin, walked into the kitchen. “Mrs. Simms?"

  "Oh, no, dear,” the woman said. “Mrs. Simms went to the market. Can I help you with something?"

  Lucy sure hoped so. The last thing she wanted was for this woman to get Cole. “I'm from Lily's Blooms. I have your flower delivery."

  The woman's face lit up with a jovial smile that reminded Lucy of her grandmother. “You must be Lucy!"

  "Yes ... I am."

  "You're just as lovely as Cole described,” she gushed.

  Was this Cole's mother? Lucy wondered. Did she know her son was propositioning women to have his child? And why was Cole talking about her?

  "I'm Nanny Hilda,” the woman finally introduced herself. “I practically raised Cole from the day he came home from the hospital. And I worked for the Donovans even longer than that."

  "It's nice to meet you."

  Wasn't Cole a little old to still have a nanny? But the woman had such kind eyes and a big smile that Lucy couldn't bring herself to be snide. “If you could sign my delivery slip, I'll get out of your way."

  "Of course,” Nanny Hilda responded, but she made no move to take the paper Lucy set on the island. “But first, let me get you something to drink."

  "I'm really not thirsty."

  "I insist. Mrs. Simms made some fresh raspberry iced tea this morning. It's delicious.” Nanny Hilda walked to the refrigerator, pulled out a pitcher and then poured two glasses. “Sit.” She pointed to a stool.

  Lucy did as directed. She could tell arguing was pointless. Better she drank the tea quickly and then get out of there before Cole appeared.

  "Cole felt terrible about the misunderstanding Saturday,” Nanny Hilda said.

  Lucy choked on her iced tea. She had to clear her throat a few times before she could speak. “He told you about that?"

  Nanny Hilda nodded. “I know all about his plan to hire a surrogate mother. I encouraged him not to give up on the idea of finding love, but he has his mind made up. And once Cole makes up his mind about something, nothing can stop him."

  "Well, if his heart is set on me having his baby, he's about to be disappointed,” said Lucy. She didn't care who Cole was or how much money he had. She could be stubborn, too.

  Nanny Hilda studied Lucy, her head bobbing slightly. “He said he saw something special in you, and I can already see it, too. Don't worry, though. He knows it's your decision."

  "I'm sorry, but I've already made my decision.” Lucy swallowed the last of the iced tea. “Thank you for the drink. I should get going."

  "Certainly,” Nanny Hilda said. But she grabbed Lucy's arm and gently pulled her toward the doorway—not the one leading outside, but the one that connected the kitchen to the rest of the house. “I'll sign you
r delivery slip as soon as I show you one thing."

  Lucy let herself be pulled along. For some reason, she just couldn't disobey Nanny Hilda. Lucy had no doubt the woman had been an excellent childcare provider.

  She was surprised when Nanny Hilda led her up the stairs to the second floor—and even more astonished when she reached the top of the steps. The difference between the first and second floor was like night and day.

  The first floor was cold and sparse. It didn't feel like a home. The second floor was the exact opposite.

  The top of the stairs opened to a large room painted in rich, chocolate brown. The room had a big screen TV, well-worn leather couches, and a coffee table piled high with sports magazines. The walls were filled with pictures and memorabilia and the shelves covered with knickknacks. It was the kind of cozy environment where she would feel most comfortable.

  "Different from downstairs, I know,” Nanny Hilda said as she pulled Lucy toward a door. “Mrs. Donovan, Cole's mother, decorated the first floor. It's only used for business meetings and parties. Cole decorated this floor himself. He spends most of his time here."

  Curiosity propelled Lucy through a door after Nanny Hilda and into an office. Right away, she could smell the fresh, woodsy cologne Cole wore lingering in the air. Behind a large mahogany desk, against the entire wall, were built-in bookshelves filled with books. Lucy followed Nanny Hilda for a closer look and scanned the titles.

  The Jungle Book. Gulliver's Travels, The Velveteen Rabbit, Alice in Wonderland. It wasn't quite the collection she'd expected.

  "He collects first editions,” Nanny Hilda explained. “These are all the books I used to read to him when he was a boy, the same books he'll read to his child."

  Lucy stared at her, not sure what to say.

  "He'll be a great father.” Nanny Hilda lovingly stroked the spines of a few books, as if remembering when she read them with her own charge.

  "I'm sure he will,” Lucy said, a lump forming in her throat. How was it that she was actually starting to feel bad? She had nothing to be sorry for. “But I can't help him. I'm sorry."

  Although Nanny Hilda smiled, her eyes told a different story. In their depths, Lucy could see pain. Pain for the boy she loved as her own, who desperately wanted something she couldn't get for him. Lucy understood. She felt the same way about Ben.