I reached up on my tiptoes and whispered, “Sorry,” in Brock’s ear. “I wasn’t thinking.”
He stepped back, pulling us away from the crowd and drawing me closer to him so we could speak privately. “You don’t need to apologize. I’m glad you felt comfortable enough to invite them over.”
“I don’t feel comfortable,” I admitted.
With his finger, he gently tipped my chin up so we were eye to eye.
I saw hints of my Brock swimming in his baby blues.
“It’s going to take some time for both of us.”
I nodded. “I suppose so.”
“Let tonight be a step in the right direction.”
“Okay.”
He offered me a half smile. “I believe I forgot to mention how stunning you look tonight.”
“I believe you’re right,” I played coy.
“You are stunning, Dani.”
I could hear the trepidation in his voice. “Maybe someday it won’t hurt you to say that.”
He tucked a loose strand of hair that framed my face behind my ear. “You’ve always been so beautiful that it hurts.”
I could feel my cheeks flood with warmth.
“I like that I can make you blush. Shall we get back to the party?”
“Yes,” I could barely say for being so overcome by the man I loved.
He wrapped his arm around my waist, and together we walked out of our bubble and back to real life.
We stayed side by side as we mingled for the rest of the party. It wasn’t like old times, as the easiness between us wasn’t there like it used to be. Nor had public displays of affection ever been part of our friendship. Not to say Brock was groping me in public, but he never let go of me. He even introduced me as his wife on several occasions, hardly tripping over the W word. In fact, sometimes I swore I heard a hint of pride in his voice. Though my low blood sugar and nausea could have made me imagine it.
For a few brief moments that night, I didn’t have to pretend. Especially when I teased Brock that he should get an earring like Jonah’s. Jonah was constantly threatening to get rid of his, seeing as Ariana had tricked him into getting it last Christmas. I knew he never would, though, because Ariana loved it and Jonah lived to make her happy. Brock wasn’t even close to living for me, but at least when he adamantly declined getting an earring, he did it with a smile on his face. We also had a sweet moment when Damian, an old college classmate, came over. He was a reporter for a Denver publication covering the event. He kindly put his camera and notes away when he approached us.
“I just wanted to say congratulations. I can’t think of a nicer couple to end up together.”
Damian was so sincere, it was easy to roll with it. Plus, he didn’t bring up Brock’s escape. He didn’t even hint that he wanted to interview us. It was refreshing.
“Thank you,” Brock and I said in unison.
“I wish you all the best.” Damian waved before heading back to where the main action was taking place.
“It’s getting late; you must be tired.” Brock read my mind.
“I am, but if you want to stay, we—”
“Let’s go home.”
I wanted to run my hand over his stubbled cheek and kiss him. I might have, except we were interrupted by the one couple Brock had avoided like the plague all night. I’d noticed that Brock had covertly kept an eye on his brother and made sure we never got too close.
Brant and Jill appeared out of nowhere, it seemed, and joined us near the stationery section, which displayed handmade cards and postcards of picturesque Carrington Cove. They already looked the part of a Washington power couple. Brant was decked out in a dark suit and tie, and Jill was dressed stiffly in a navy business suit. She’d tried to jazz it up with a paisley scarf around her neck; unfortunately, it made her look like a flight attendant.
“We were just leaving.” Brock wasn’t curt but to the point. He still had to put on a show for Jill.
Feeling the need to show Brock how I felt so he wouldn’t feel threatened by his brother, I slid my arm under his suit coat and wrapped it around his waist, getting as close to him as I could. Brock naturally reciprocated and placed his arm around me.
Brant’s brows rose in surprise, but in his eyes I saw his approval, even the solace it brought. I was sure, like me, he prayed that Brock would forgive us both and love our baby.
“Dani, I was hoping to speak to you for a couple of minutes, if you don’t mind.” Jill leaned into Brant and stroked his chest. Brant patted her hand as if he were touching his grandmother. Jill had to have felt the lack of warmth, yet she kept up her toothy smile. “We’re headed to DC tomorrow.”