I show Linda to the spare bedroom for the night, and she gives me a huge hug. “I can’t believe this is finally happening.” She studies me. “You never stopped loving him. And you never glowed like you do right now when he was gone.”
“I’m happy,” I say. “And as a bonus for you, there are lots of hot men in this new family of mine. Maybe I can hook you up and one of them will lure you to New York. Adam, the best man, is single, honest, an ex-Navy SEAL, Team Six even, and good-looking. And then there is Smith.” I wiggle a brow. “Cute, right?”
“Stop,” she says, holding up her hands. “I’m not looking for a man. As you know, I’ve had my share of bad luck. And the honest, good-looking ones that aren’t married are always the screwed-up ones.”
“Aren’t we all?” I ask.
“Yeah,” she agrees. “I guess we are.”
We rejoin Lauren and Julie and it’s not long before we're off for a spa day at a fancy hotel. Once we’re primped, waxed, massaged, and our toes and fingers have been painted, all done with Julie eating saltine crackers, we end up at a cozy table for lunch.
It’s champagne for all but Julie, who orders orange juice. “When are you telling Luke?” Lauren asks, giving her a pointed look—like—it’s time.
Julie purses her lips. “You have asked me that three times just today.”
“Because I know you want the moment to be special, but you’re going to a wedding tomorrow. How are you going to decline champagne when you love champagne? And do you think he doesn’t know something is up?”
“Good point,” Linda chimes in, already one of us and I adore her all the more for it. “What if he thinks you have some sort of unexpected regret about being pregnant?”
“See,” Lauren says. “You have to tell him.” She points at Linda. “And you, Linda, need to open a floral shop here and come help me defend my positions.”
“Yes,” I say. “Let’s get her moved right here to us.” I don’t give Linda time to argue. I refocus on Julie. “You told me you had a plan to tell him,” I remind her. “What was that again?”
“I’ve had several plans,” she says. “We’ve been trying for a while, so I want this to be special. But maybe I should just tell him tonight. Actually, I think I need to go home. I need to tell him.” She grabs her phone and punches a number and says, “Hey. I’m headed home. Are you there?” She listens a moment. “Great. I’ll see you in a few minutes. Love you.” She hangs up. “I’m going to go tell him. Oh God, why do I want to cry right now.”
“Hormones,” Lauren, a mother of two, assures her. “And even for a tough-as-nails mama like yourself, it’s emotional and exciting.” She grabs her purse. “I’m going to walk her out.” She squeezes my arm. “Try to sleep. Tomorrow will be magical.”
Julie rushes around the table and hugs me. “Love you, Candace. And I got the bill. I told them before we sat down.”
“Thank you,” I say. “And I love you, too.”
And then they are gone and it’s just me and Linda. “It’s just us girls.”
“Let’s go back to your place and you can give me the full tour of that gorgeous apartment of yours,” she suggests.
“Perfect,” I agree, eager for some best friend time.
We gather our things and head to the lobby, where she tugs my arm. “Bathroom.” She points to a sign.
I point to a couple of chairs and we split up. I spy an extra bar and I’m suddenly dying of thirst. Wasting no time making that my destination, I order a soda, which the bartender gives me on the house. I guess word got out that we spent a lot of money here today. I’ve just downed a big swallow when I hear, “Candace,” from behind me.
At the sound of the remotely familiar male voice, I turn around to find Kirk standing there.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Candace
I blink, shocked by what my eyes reveal, who they reveal, but it’s him, it’s Kirk. He’s really here. And of course, he’s wearing a clearly expensive blue suit. A man that I’d define as dripping money and arrogance is once again dripping money and arrogance.
“Kirk? How are you here? I thought you were leaving town?”
“You and me both,” he says, unbuttoning his jacket and sliding his hands to his hips. “I had an investment go south while I was on the way to the airport. I had to turn around and come back. I’m eager to get home tomorrow. What are you doing here?”
“Pampering before the wedding,” I say, eager to remind him I’m about to get married. “This is the perfect place.”
“Oh right. Wedding day tomorrow.” Then almost dismissively, he asks, “Can I buy you a drink to settle your nerves?”