Page 55 of Best Laid Plans
And we haven’t even made it into the ballroom yet. We’re gathered in the reception area outside the ballroom for a cocktail hour. The gala attendees are an older crowd, with a few young faces here and there.
I really can’t complain too much. I’m in a gorgeous dress, on the arm of the sexiest man here, who is currently getting me a drink at the bar. I’m posted up at a high-top table checking my phone when I hear a woman behind me.
“Ellie?”
When I turn toward the woman’s voice, I find a curvy blonde in a red dress.
“No, I’m Brooke. Ellie’s sister,” I correct her.
“Oh, sorry. I’m Kara Summers.” She extends her hand to me, and I take it. “I work with Dr. Yang at the fertility clinic. I’ve seen Ellie a few times when Christine was out of the office.”
She eyes me curiously.
“I’m particularly interested in your surrogacy case, with you and your sister being identical twins and all. I find the whole thing fascinating and such a selfless thing for you to do.”
She obviously doesn’t know how selfish I can be.
“How are things going?” she prods.
I can’t tell if she means in general or if she’s talking about preparing for being Ellie’s surrogate. I scan the room for Cole. I don’t really need him walking up to this conversation.
“Good. Great. Wonderful.” Maybe a bit of an oversell. I can tell my voice is a little pitchy, as I feel a rising panic at the thought that Dr. Summers might mention the surrogacy in front of Cole. I want to be the one to tell him. I plan to tell him. Soon. The last thing I need is her mentioning it now.
“Who are you—” She doesn’t even get to finish her sentence. Cole steps up to my side with a glass of champagne in one hand and an old-fashioned in the other.
He hands me the champagne, then leans in to give Dr. Summers a hug. Now that I’m holding the champagne glass, I notice that my hand is shaky. I watch as Dr. Summers smiles, almost seductively, then presses her body to Cole’s. It only lasts two seconds but I can tell she made the most of her time.
“Kara, good to see you.”
She smiles at Cole, her eyelashes lowering in a subtle, yet flirty gesture, but when she looks back to me with Cole by my side, her smile isn’t as warm as it once was. They both seem comfortable being close to each other and I’m a little confused. It’s hard to get a read on their relationship. They work together in some capacity obviously, but it feels like something else. Like they have a history, a past relationship that was romantic, or in the very least sexual.
My stomach churns. Gross. I’ve never really thought about Cole’s past. I’m more of a live in the present kind of girl, so I shouldn’t be surprised that he didn’t go from losing his virginity to fucking me, there’d be no way he would have the skill set that he does, but I don’t really want it right in front of my face. That makes my stomach drop again, thinking of Cole with Dr. Summers. Did they fuck in his office? Has she been in his bed? The same one that I’m currently spending every night in? Even in my head, I hear how possessive I sound. Why am I feeling like this? Like Cole belongs to me?
They’re talking about something at work and I’m trying to pay attention but my nerves have taken a front seat, so I slam back my champagne, hoping it will help calm me and whatever else I’m feeling. I don’t really like to label things, but I think it’s manic jealous rage. Or something along those lines because I’ve never been the jealous type.
Kara finally turns to me, all her pearly whites on display. “How did you two meet?”
Cole slides his arm around my waist, which she does not miss. If Kara’s eyes were laser beams, my waist and Cole’s hand would be burning right now. For a moment, I think my stomach is burning, but that might just be the champagne.
My eyes flick up to Cole’s face. He’s got the biggest smile on his face, he might be a second away from laughing.
“We kept running into each other. She finally let me take her out on a date.”
Yeah, that’s definitely the PG version of our story. Kara smiles sweetly, which I can tell is completely fake.
“That’s sweet,” she says. “I was just asking Brooke about—”
Kara doesn’t get to finish that sentence. I’m saved by the bell. More like a chime and a man announcing that dinner is being served in the ballroom, but I’ll take it.
“Oh, what table are you?” Kara leans into Cole, and places her hand on his arm, like she needs to touch his body to glean this information.
Cole reaches in his pocket for a card.
“We’re seven.”
“I’m four.”
“Oh, darn.” I give my best pouty face, but I think Kara and I both know it’s fake.
