Warm Hearts by Barbara Delinsky

time he’d gained a modicum of self-control, she was returning to the answering machine, wearing a very large, very long, pale-yellow T-shirt. No sooner had she switched off the machine than she walked to the window.
    He held his ground. His pulse quickened, but he didn’t look away.
    Her shoulders were straight. Her arms hung gently by her sides. Though her face was in shadow, he knew the instant their eyes met. He felt it viscerally, that silent hello, and, counting on the force of brain waves, sent back his own.
    How was your day? he asked.
    Better now , she answered, And yours?
    Likewise. Is your apartment very hot?
    She trailed the flat of her hand down her neck. Yes. But I don’t mind. Air conditioners are noisy.
    There wouldn’t be anyplace to put one here. It’d be a shame to block the windows.
    I agree.
    You have a ceiling fan, don’t you? I can’t quite see.
    Her fingers crept up her scalp, drawing the weight of her hair from her neck. I do.
    I’m glad. It helps, doesn’t it?
    Yes.
    Why don’t you get something to drink? I feel guilty sitting here with my beer.
    In a minute. Her hand fell from her hair and came to rest lightly on her stomach. I don’t want to move just yet.
    But she did move, casting an abrupt glance over her shoulder. Only when he’d pulled himself from the fantasy did he hear a faint jangle. She looked back at him.
    It’s the phone. Will you excuse me for a minute?
    Sure.
    You won’t leave?
    Nope.
    He imagined he saw the faintest smile curve her lips before she turned and trotted to the phone.
    *   *   *
    â€œFinally!”
    Caroline’s heart skipped a beat. “Karen? Is it the baby?”
    â€œNo. It’s you! You’re finally home! I tried you twice last night and then once earlier tonight.”
    That explained the clicks on her answering machine. “Why didn’t you leave a message?”
    â€œBecause it didn’t work last time. You didn’t return my call.”
    Caroline felt duly chastised. “I was planning to call this weekend, when I had time to sit and really talk.”
    â€œCan you talk now?”
    Could she talk with her sister? Of course she could. I mean, enough is enough. When it gets to the point that you’re imagining conversations with a man you’ve never met …
    Arcing an apologetic glance toward the window, she drew out one of the kitchen chairs and sank down. “Sure, Karen. I’d love to talk. Tell me how you’re feeling.”
    â€œFat and heavy and hot.”
    â€œThat great?”
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œHow’s baby?”
    Karen’s voice picked up. “Kicking up a storm. Really hardy, says the doctor.”
    â€œThat must make you feel good,” Caroline returned with a smile. “I wish I could see.”
    â€œNone of us can see.”
    â€œI mean touch.”
    â€œEverybody touches. It’s weird, Caro. Everybody touches. I mean, it’s my body, but everybody touches. You can touch. That’s okay. Obviously Dan can, and my friends, even the people I work with every day. But clients?”
    Caroline heard the tension in her sister’s high-pitched babble. “They’re envious,” she said, but the soothing words were far more than mere platitude. She knew what she was saying. She felt that envy herself. “You have something they want.”
    â€œI try to remember that when my back aches and my ankles swell to twice their normal size.”
    â€œTwice?” Caroline chided.
    â€œWell, maybe not twice, but close.”
    â€œThat’s normal, Karen. So are the backaches. Maybe you ought to take it a little easier.”
    â€œWith work?”
    â€œMmm.”
    â€œI wish I could. But I’m just an associate.”
    â€œYou’re a pregnant associate.”
    â€œAnd the big boys are watching me closely. I’ll be up for a partnership in a year. If I can’t