She motioned to one of the visitors’ chairs. “Please. Sit.” She didn’t know if she should assist her or not. “And forgive me, but I thought Nic said you had three months to go. Of course, that was a month ago, but—”

Addison laughed. “Oh, I know. I’m huge. Each time I go to my doctor, I’m like…are you sure I’m not having twins? I’m due mid-April or so she keeps saying.”

Abby laughed too as she sat down, waiting for Addison to explain her visit. Addison unconsciously rubbed her protruding belly.

“Do you know that you’re not the only Abby Carpenter who works in the towers here?”

“Really? No, I had no idea. Is that how you tracked me down?”

“Yes. And I hope you don’t mind. It is about Nic, actually. She’s been in such a blue mood, we’re starting to worry about her. She hasn’t been herself since she came back from Red River.”

Abby met her gaze. “I miss her. I do. And in the last five weeks, I’ve thought about calling her practically every day. But she made it clear that she doesn’t want someone in her life. I didn’t feel like it was my right to intrude.”

“Those are her words, yes. I don’t think they hold true any longer. Nicky is, well, she’s always come across as strong, a little cocky even. She’s both attractive and outgoing. In college, all the girls would fawn over her. She just didn’t want anything to do with a relationship. She was adamant that she would not fall into that ‘trap’ as she called it.”

“Yes. She told me that too. She said that her parents were in a trap and couldn’t get out.”

“We were shocked that she told you about her parents. She doesn’t ever talk about it. It’s all she can do to get through the anniversary of it each year.” Her hand jumped and she smiled. “He’s active today.”

Abby watched as her hand again moved affectionately across her belly. “Nic said you were hoping for a boy.”

“Yes. And she and Eric want a girl. I fear they will be disappointed.” She took a deep breath. “I think Nicky is a little bit lost right now. For the first time, someone got in, probably without her consent. You. You got in.”

“Yes, I think I did. We had this crazy chemistry between us. And not just in bed,” she said, feeling a little embarrassed to admit that to this stranger. “I like her. But still, she wasn’t receptive to anything other than what we had.”