“Thank you so much for your help, Alberto. Even threatening to run them over wasn’t getting those reporters to move.” She’s batting her eyes at him so hard that I’m afraid she’s going to take flight any moment.
His face stays carefully blank. “No problem, ma’am. Next time, text that number I gave you and we’ll make sure the path is clear for you.”
“You’re so kind. Thank you so much.”
“It’s not a problem.” He turns to leave.
“Should I give you my number? I mean, so you know who it is you’re getting a text from.”
“As long as you identify yourself in your text, ma’am, it will be fine.”
“But what if I forget—”
“Thank you, Alberto. We appreciate your help.” I cut my best friend off before she can make an even bigger fool of herself. “You can go now.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
He practically runs back outside, pausing only to make sure the door is firmly closed behind him.
“Seriously?” I say. “That really seemed like a good idea to you?”
“It seemed like a great idea to me. He’s adorable!”
“Whatever. Did you get the test?”
“I did!” she crows triumphantly as she follows me into the master bedroom.
Once there, she walks over to our unmade bed and turns the bag upside down. A ton of different things come pouring out.
“What did you do?” I demand, staring at the bed in shock.
“Okay, I’m sorry! I know it’s a lot—”
“A lot? We don’t even know if I’m pregnant yet.”
“I know. But if you are, you’ll need all of this stuff.” She picks up a gallon of milk in one hand and a bottle of prenatal vitamins in the other. “I was reading about it on my phone. Pregnant women need lots of added calcium and iron. So I got you a steak, too. I’ll make it for you for lunch.”
She puts those items aside and reaches for an oddly shaped baby bottle. “Parenting magazine says this is the best shape to keep gas from getting into your baby’s stomach. But I also got nipple cream, in case you want to breast-feed. Because, ouch. Nobody wants cracked nipples. And there’s a pacifier and a bib and a onesie with cherries on it! Cherries, Chloe! Cherries!”
“I can see that. And, are those baby go-go boots?” I ask, looking at the hot pink, sequined boots that—except for a very cute teddy bear—are the last thing on the bed.
“They are, Chloe! They are! Every well-dressed baby needs go-go boots.”
“What if it’s a boy?”
“As if. I’ve already decided you’re having a girl.”
“Well, as long as you’ve decided…”
“Exactly. It’s the universe according to Tori. Things always work out exactly how I want them to.”
I laugh, then, because she’s pretty much right. The universe does tend to do exactly what Tori wants it to. “You’re really excited by the idea of me being pregnant, aren’t you?”
“Are you kidding me? Of course I’m excited. I am going to be the best aunt ever.”
“You sure about that?” I tease.
“Excuse me.” She holds the boots up again. Strangely, they go pretty well with her recently dyed turquoise hair. “Did I or did I not pick out the absolutely most adorable baby go-go boots in the whole world?”