One More Chance

Senator Barnes would also be in attendance. I wasn’t sure of everyone who had made the invitation list, but I had heard his name from Woods recently. I hadn’t been spending much time at the club now that Nan was back in town. I was enjoying our house and preparing for Lila Kate. Dealing with the social dynamics of the Kerrington Club was something I wanted to keep my distance from right now. I spent time with Blaire at her house or mine; same with Della.

But tonight Grant had to fulfill his duties as a board member and needed to be there. Finding a dress that fit me was another story. My stomach was really showing now. I was thirty-one weeks along, and both Lila Kate and I were doing well. She was moving more and more lately; she’d started pushing her little foot so hard I could see my stomach stick out in that spot. Grant was highly entertained when this happened. Made it worth the discomfort to hear his laughter while he watched her beat me up. Honestly, I wouldn’t trade one of those moments. Ever.

With Blaire’s help, I had found a knee-length black crepe empire-waist gown with a crystal-encrusted halter neckline. I wore it with a pair of silver Louboutins. How was it that I had never felt beautiful before, but now that my stomach was the size of a basketball, I suddenly felt better about myself?

“Wow.” Grant’s voice interrupted my thoughts, and I glanced up in the mirror to see him walking up behind me. His eyes gleamed with appreciation. I let my eyes travel down his body, wrapped perfectly in a tuxedo. I had seen him in one before, and I knew how devastatingly handsome he could be, but this time, he was mine. And when the night was over, I would get to undress him. All mine.

“If I wasn’t a board member,” he said, before his lips touched my bare shoulder, “I would keep you here, and you could wear that sexy little dress, and we could play striptease. You strip, and I watch.” His wicked grin made me laugh.

“Sounds like I would be doing all the work,” I retorted.

He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. “Trust me, baby, once you got naked, I’d make it totally worth it.”

I shrugged. “OK, fine. You talked me into it. Let’s stay here and play.”

Grant pulled me back against his chest and gazed at me in the mirror. We stood there together, the three of us. My obvious stomach—and Lila Kate’s presence—couldn’t be missed. I wanted a picture of us, and I wanted it now. Just like this. I could put it with the next letter I wrote to her.

“Where’s your phone?” I asked him, looking around for mine.

He reached into his pocket and pulled it out. “Here,” he replied.

“I want a picture of us. The three of us. Like we are right now,” I told him.

“OK,” he said, pulling me close to him, my back to his chest. “I think I can hold it up and point it down so it’ll catch your adorable bump.”

“It’s not a bump. It’s a beach ball. Just be honest,” I said.

He winked. “You never tell a woman that her stomach looks like a beach ball. The results can be dangerous. Now, look up at the phone. This may take a few tries.” He tried three times before he was able to get us both smiling and my stomach in clear view. I loved it.

“Text it to me. I want it, too,” I told him.

He nodded and quickly sent me the photo. I would look at it later when I found my phone.

“You know we can get someone to take better pictures of us tonight if you want,” he said.

I loved our selfie with Lila Kate, but that wasn’t a bad idea. I would ask Blaire to take some pictures of us tonight. Then I’d have several to put with the letters.

The Fireman’s Ball was a success. There were hundreds of people there, and each had paid a lot for a ticket. I foresaw new fire trucks in the near future for Rosemary Beach.

Grant kept me close to his side while he greeted people and made introductions. There were so many people I hadn’t met yet. Watching Grant like this made me even more proud of him. He could go from sexy playboy to businessman in the blink of an eye—although the only playing he was doing these days was with me.

“I’m going to find Dean. Rush is looking for him. There’re some influential people here tonight who Woods wants to become members of the club, and he thinks Dean might seal the deal. Will you be OK by yourself for a few minutes? I don’t see Blaire anywhere, but I see Della over there near the corner talking to Bethy and Jimmy.”

I preferred to visit with Della, Bethy, and Jimmy instead of people I didn’t know. Several strangers seemed to recognize me, and they all zeroed in on my stomach with wide eyes. I was sure this would somehow make it into the gossip magazines. I expected someone to Tweet a photo of me and share with the world that I was knocked up. I had managed to keep a low profile, but with this crowd, I wasn’t sure if that was possible.

“So you’re still pregnant. Like, you’re actually gonna go through with this.” Nan’s voice brought me to a stop, and I wasn’t sure if I should acknowledge her or keep walking. I wanted to keep the peace with her. I had no reason to be mad at her, and I knew she would forever hate me, but retaliating would only make me stoop to her level. So I faced her.

“Yes, I’m going through with it,” I answered simply. She didn’t deserve any explanation.

She frowned, then let out an exasperated sigh. “What, dear old Dad didn’t force you to get an abortion so he could save his favorite child?” The bitterness in her voice made me sad. She was mean, but she hadn’t exactly been given the best life. Our father had shown me love as a child; he hadn’t done the same for Nan.