Page 11 of On the Rocks
I leave them to chat and beeline to her bodyguard waiting by the elevator. Should be fucking three of them. Pensive eyes meet mine when I slam open the lobby doors. "What the fuck, Butcher? You let that bastard fucking assault my wife."
His head twists furiously. Already on the defense. Well aware he fucked up.
"But he's a senator and I?"
I fucking hate excuses. "I don't give a fuck. Anyone - no matter who the fuck it is - touches her, you kill them. Or I kill you. You understand me?"
"Yes, sir."
No real reaction. His face impassive. I don't give a fuck if he's fuming inside. He just better follow fucking orders like I pay him to. "And don't ever fucking dismiss Joey and Nalin again. She has three guards. Always."
A curt nod. Either from his own good sense to be fucking afraid or Trinity pushing the door open stifles his words. Good. Because I don't want to hear any more of his bullshit. Now, only one last asshole to deal with before I enjoy an evening with my wife.
4
Chapter Four
The rustleof taffeta sliding over my head muffles Trish’s comment. “I’m sorry. I didn’t catch that.”
“I said, that one is my favorite.”
I smooth down the silk over my stomach. Although I shouldn’t be so vain, it’s impossible to stop staring at myself in the mirror. I’ve never worn anything so elegant and sophisticated before. Foster home girls don't get to attend dances or parties. With my first time ever feeling like a princess, I give a little spin, smiling from the tiny sequins sparkling under the fluorescent lights. Totally dorky, I know, but I just can't help myself. "Do you think Drake will like it?"
She steps closer, both of us smiling back at ourselves. Gently bundling my wild hair with her long fingers, she twists the thick mass into a bun on the back of my head. A few strands escaping to tendril around my face. Her eyes roam to the dip between my breasts. The wrap around sleeves. A naughty slit in the champagne fabric rising all the way to my left thigh. The mermaid swish at the bottom that's totally over the top ridiculous and absolutely breathtaking.
"He'll love it." With her free hand, she swipes the tears trickling down her freckled cheeks. “I’m sorry I’m being silly. You’re just so beautiful. I love seeing you happy.”
Grateful for her heartfelt sentiments, I loathe ruining our opportunity to play dress up. But she's been quiet all afternoon, not even indulging in her favorite bubbly she brought along to celebrate. Her normally exuberant personality strangely subdued, and I can't help but worry. Especially with the incident at Drake's office still fretting in my mind. “Are you sure that's all? You don't seem like yourself.”
My best friend since second grade when our teacher sat us in alphabetical order by first name. Trish and Trinity side-by-side for those nine months, and luckily well beyond. Managing to stay connected despite me roaming from school to school, home to home. The only constant in my transient life, and I know more than anyone else when she's hiding something.
She dips her head. Auburn hair falling forward to obscure her face. Pink dotting her flushed skin. The first time I’ve ever seen her shy. “Please Trish. You’re scaring me.”
“I’m pregnant.”
Relief floods my tense muscles, and now I’m crying and laughing too. I hug her tight. Wrinkling the gorgeous dress crushed between us. “Congratulations! I’m so excited for you!”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to steal your thunder. This is your day, but I can’t seem to quit getting all weepy. Hormones I guess.”
"Don't apologize! There's no one I'd rather celebrate with."
She steps out of my embrace and caresses over a slight curve to her stomach that I hadn’t noticed hidden under her flowy top. "Plus, I'm starting to show. I'm almost nine weeks already."
"You've only been married a month!"
She gives me the ‘you’re kidding’ look that only a best friend can get away with. "Um, you know I hate to break it to you, but some people actually have sex before their wedding night."
Now it's my turn to blush from her good-natured teasing. Although we both know we're far less experienced than other women our age. I suffered alongside her from the devastation of Chad Baxter dumping her the day after their senior prom. She gave him her virginity; he gave her a complex.
Until Noah, she avoided men and focused on excelling in college, while I stayed busy with the shelter. Not much opportunity to meet guys during endless weekends filled with adoption events. Never really seemed like a loss though, since animals are often the only ones who don't disappoint you. “I know, I know. It just seems like everything is moving so fast.”
“Me? What about you?”
Her eyes widen in exaggerated disbelief. Engulfing both of us in infectious giggles. No comparison to the speed of my relationship. “I guess Drake is a bit persistent.”
“Maybe just a little.” The laughter softens along with her smile. Glowing with a wistfulness she always has when rare good fortune comes my way. “Because he loves you. Really. I can tell.”
Now it’s her turn to see through me. Exposing the insecurity I’ve wrapped around myself so long and tight, I feel naked against the truth. Revealing the self-doubt she always tries to unwind from strangling my nervous heart. “You can?”
