Page 118

Carter wasn't here.
Where was he then?
I had a feeling that if I didn't find him right away, I would never see him again. Illogical and maybe even a little ridiculous, but that was just my feeling.
"Isabella." Hayley tugged at my sleeve again. This time I took a step forward. And another. And then a third. With each step, it felt like I was moving further away from Carter.
I hadn't felt this strange even when I had fled Carter's brother's wedding so hastily.
Why now then?
Could it have something to do with the fact that I was pregnant?
Slowly, I walked with Hayley to the corner where my car was still double-parked. As I looked back, I noticed that the security guard was still standing in the same spot, watching us leave.
Dejected, I turned forward again. "It's too bad I can't even call Carter. My phone and wallet never turned up." I grimaced at the memory of the man who had robbed me at the bus stop after the wedding.
"You were really lucky, anything could have happened to you there. To you and the baby," Hayley said seriously.
I nodded.
To me and the baby.
Still an unfamiliar thought.
I would get used to it.
And Carter?
Could he get used to it too?
"Now I've activated the data backup for the phone... I should have done that earlier. Then I'd still have Carter's number and could just call him." I shook my head at my own absentmindedness. Setting up data backup really wasn't that hard. I had just forgotten about it, like so many things.
"Don't worry about it, Isabella. Carter hasn't fallen off the face of the earth. You know where he lives and where he works. We'll find him. If not today, then tomorrow." Hayley looked at me encouragingly. "Now we're going home first and having a cozy evening there."
I nodded obediently.
"I'll drive," I then said. "It'll distract me a little."
Hayley pressed the car keys into my hand.
I felt as if Carter would never show up again.
As if today was the only possibility and maybe even the only day I would have the courage to face him and tell him that he was going to be a father.
What if he didn't want the child at all?
What if he was only interested in casual fun and would support me financially, but otherwise want nothing to do with me and his child?
The thought broke my heart.
I desperately needed certainty.
WE desperately needed certainty.
And as soon as possible.
A sleepless night lay ahead of me.