Holiday In the Hamptons (From Manhattan with Love 5)

“There are days when I wish I was more like Harriet.”

“I think it’s wonderful that you’re different. I envy you having a twin. I would have done anything for a sibling. That was part of the reason I wrote stories. For company. You were born with company.”

“Yeah, that part is pretty cool.” Fliss stared out across the ocean and then realized Matilda was still wriggling next to her. “What’s wrong? Do you need to pee or something?”

“I always need to pee, but no, it’s not that. I’ve had this backache for a few days and I can’t get rid of it.” Her phone rang, and she rummaged in her purse. “Do you mind if I take this? That will be Chase telling me what time he’ll be home.” She answered the call, and Fliss watched as her friend’s expression changed from delight to disappointment. It was like watching a light go out. “Of course I don’t mind. Don’t be silly! I’m totally fine here… It’s not even due for another month, and that’s if it arrives on time—and everyone says first babies are always late. Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll have a lovely indulgent evening watching Netflix. Are you having dinner with your father? Don’t let him upset you. I’ll see you tomorrow and we can talk about everything then. Love you, too.”

Fliss felt a stab of envy and dismissed it.

Talking about everything sounded like her idea of an evening of horror.

She waited for Matilda to end the call. “Chase not coming home?”

“Buried under work and he has an early meeting scheduled tomorrow. It would be crazy for him to come home. He’ll grab a quick dinner with his father while he’s there. That’s more duty than pleasure.”

“They don’t have a great relationship?”

“It’s complicated.”

Fliss knew all about complicated. “You shouldn’t be on your own.”

“I’ll be fine.” Matilda shifted again. “I’ll take a bath.”

“Should you see a doctor or something? I can drive you to the hospital.”

“I’m pregnant, not sick.”

“Then I can drive you to the maternity center.”

“I’m fine, honestly.” Matilda shifted again. “Just another of those Braxton Hicks contractions. I’ve been told all about them. They can feel real but they’re not.”

“I don’t want to leave my grandmother alone for the night, or I’d offer to stay.” Fliss pondered. “You could come and stay with us.”

“That’s kind, but nothing is going to happen.” Matilda shifted again, and Fliss stood up.

“We should go back to the house. Whatever is going on, sitting on the beach is hardly comfortable for you.”

“I like the ocean air, and Hero likes playing with Charlie. And being with you takes my mind off the fact that I feel like a whale. Tell me more about being a twin.”

“What do you want to know?”

“Did people treat you as individuals? Did you wear the same clothes?”

“Not unless it was a school uniform. And I cut three inches off the hem of mine, so even then we didn’t look the same.”

Melissa laughed. “Keep talking. You’re giving me the most wonderful idea for a book.”

Fliss recoiled. “I don’t want to be in a book.”

“You won’t be. I use the elements that suit me and make up the rest. Real life is never as interesting as my stories.”

“Unless it’s my life. And we’ve definitely talked enough about me.”

“You don’t like talking about yourself, do you?”

“Not much. And it’s your turn. How did you meet Chase?”

“At a very glamorous event on a rooftop in Manhattan.”