“Wow. You look great.”
She shrugged into her coat. “Thanks. You look stunning.” Her eyes roamed my ensemble.
Once we reached the curb, Ben climbed out and held open the door. His heated gaze caressed my curves. “Hi, baby,” he whispered, low enough for only me to hear. He looked so handsome in his black tailored suit, white shirt, and dark-gray tie.
Ellie climbed inside the limo and I scooted in next to her.
“Bray!” I hadn’t known that he’d be riding with Ben. I thought we’d meet him there.
“Hi, jellybean.” Braydon smiled at me warmly. “You look good enough to eat.”
Ben settled in beside me and narrowed his eyes, shooting Bray a death glare. I knew Ben didn’t like thinking about me with Braydon any more than I liked thinking about him with Fiona.
“Oh boy, this douche canoe again. . . .” Ellie muttered under her breath.
I bit my cheek to keep from smiling. She often made up her own words to describe things and apparently the sight of Braydon inspired his own neologism. Impressive considering we hadn’t even had a drink yet.
“Yesss . . . the firecracker! Elizabeth, right?” Braydon grinned widely.
“Ellie,” she reminded him.
Ben handed me and Ellie glasses of champagne. He and Braydon had already mixed some cocktails.
It felt a little strange to be sharing a limo with Ben and Braydon, knowing what had happened the last time the three of us were together, but I tried to push it from my mind.
“How do you two know each other?” Ellie asked, glancing in my direction.
“I met Braydon in Paris. He’s a friend of Ben’s.” That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
She pursed her lips and nodded. Ben wasn’t exactly her favorite topic right now. I knew she was afraid of me getting hurt.
“So what do you do for a living?” Ellie asked Braydon.
I thought she knew Bray was a model, or maybe she was just trying to make polite conversation.
“Gynecologist,” he answered with a completely straight face. “You?”
“Proctologist,” Ellie returned, meeting his gaze without so much as blinking.
“Sweet. If I ever need my ass looked at, I know who to call.”
She frowned. “I’m not taking on new clients.”
“That’s a damn shame. If you need me to examine you, just let me know. I’m extremely gentle. Vaginas love me and I always ensure a happy ending.”
Ellie rolled her eyes, scoffing loudly, while I giggled into my hand.
Ben and I watched their back-and-forth like a game of Ping-Pong. Wow. These two were all intense stares and biting tones. I wasn’t sure if it was a dry-sarcastic way of flirting or if Ellie truly wasn’t a fan. But they were rather amusing to watch. Ben and I stayed glued to their heated exchange throughout the ride.
When we reached the art gallery my nerves went haywire. I didn’t know how I’d handle seeing Fiona live and in person. I hoped I didn’t flip out. Ben helped me from the car, resting his hand on my lower back as he guided me to the entrance.
Once Ellie and I had checked our coats and I tucked the coat-check ticket into my purse, we followed Ben and Bray to the bar to grab a drink. A drink was exactly what I needed in my trembling hands.
The art gallery was a small, intimate gathering. About fifty people mingled, talking and drinking in a narrow room hung with bright colorful paintings on the otherwise white walls.
I clutched the stem of the glass of champagne so hard I thought it might snap off in my hand. I was wound impossibly tight at the prospect of spotting Fiona, laughing and mingling in the crowd. If she approached Ben and tried to air-kiss his cheeks or clutch onto his bicep like she used to, I might lose it. I wondered if it was a felony to attack a pregnant woman. Perhaps if I just explained to the police officer what a megabitch she was, any and all crimes would be pardoned.
Ben, reading my tense posture, guided our group over to a less crowded corner of the gallery.
“Emmy? You okay, sweetie?” Ellie gave me a concerned look.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do if I have to face Fiona,” I admitted. Ben caught my eyes and frowned but stayed quiet.
Ellie raised her hand, catching the attention of the waiter circulating with a silver tray of champagne glasses and waved him over to us. “You got anything stronger back at the bar?” she asked.
He nodded. “I think so.”
She pulled a crisp fifty-dollar bill from her wristlet. “Here’s your tip. Keep them coming.”
The waiter arrived with two Jack and Cokes. Ellie handed me both. “Thanks.”
I focused on sucking down the refreshing cocktail through the little straw and let my eyes wander the room. I was grateful at least to be surrounded by Ben, Braydon, and Ellie, who all seemed to be understanding.
After I’d finished my first cocktail, I saw someone trying to catch Ben’s attention. “Will you be okay for a bit? There’s a few people I need to go talk to,” Ben said.
“Of course. I’ll stay with Ellie.” I knew he was here for work, and I didn’t want my insecurities to keep him from doing his job and making the connections he needed.
I watched Ben mingle with a group of men on the far side of the room. I didn’t know who they were but they looked like arty types—photographers, designers, and such. Feeling a little more confident, my gaze wandered. The moment I spotted her, it was like all the air was sucked from the room. I hadn’t been prepared that she’d actually look pregnant, or that she’d have the cutest baby bump ever. My knees locked together and I struggled to remain standing. I pulled in a deep, shaky breath.