The door swung open, and a stunning brunette in a tight red dress sashayed to one of the stalls. Her polished appearance made me notice my brown sweater poncho that Melody had designed. Though I adored it, women in this club dressed differently.
After running my fingers through my blond hair and fixing a wayward curl, I entered the gold room and searched for our table. Of the three main rooms in the club, more people dined in this one. The gold room wasn’t ostentatious but earned its name from its gilded atmosphere of gold tea lights, chandeliers,and pendant lights that reflected off the wood floors, casting a luminous glow. The red room, filled with pulsing music and a sexual ambience, wasn’t my scene. But the green room’s jazzy vibe and sophisticated décor appealed to me most.
Melody waved as if I couldn’t spot her pink hair in a crowd. I weaved around a few busy tables and rejoined my group.
Melody twirled her hair around her finger. “We’re talking about throwing a baby shower for Hope. We should start planning since it’s already October. The weather’s getting cold, and we’re trying to decide if we should have it indoors during the winter or wait until March and have an outdoor event. Thoughts?”
“Isn’t she due in March?”
Melody played with her snake ring. “Yes, but it warms up pretty early in the year, so we can still have it before her due date. Do you think we should have it now?”
I rested my hands in my lap, uncertain how they would receive my opinion. “I think it’s best to wait. Not to be a dark cloud, but if something unexpected were to happen, the gifts and memories would be too painful. Hope’s history of panic attacks makes her pregnancy high risk, so it might be a good idea to give her a little more time.”
Robyn folded her arms on the table. “I didn’t even think of that.”
“All I mean to say is there’s no rush. A woman should settle into the idea of motherhood.” When I noticed the mood shifting, I quickly added, “Plus it’ll give us plenty of time to plan, shop, and design. If I’m going to make a baby blanket, it’ll take time to choose a pattern and learn how. I couldn’t rush something like that in only a month.”
Melody’s green eyes lit with interest. “Speaking of patterns, I was thinking about designing baby shoes in multiple sizes, but I’ve never made patterns that tiny before.”
Cecilia listened quietly. Though she liked to go out on occasion, she was uncomfortable in most public places. People saw her as a shy young woman who struggled with conversation and forming connections, but I thought she was an intelligent, loving soul.
Robyn raised her hand. “I vote for delivery month. We can coordinate with Bear to create a menu, and Montana and I can work on the outdoor tables and seating. Humans play fun games, so I can look into that. I’m thinking about sketching a portrait of her pregnant, but she’s not showing right now. So I’m with Joy on pushing this to next year.”
Melody finished slurping her root beer. “We also need to come up with the guest list and send out the invites since some of them will have to make travel arrangements and book hotel rooms here. I have to make sure we invite all the important people, but not too many. Hope would freak out if all her old packmatesandmine showed up. One of my aunts has connections if we need anything special.”
Robyn snorted. “You mean like clowns and elephants?”
“We already have a few clowns,” Cecilia chimed in.
The table erupted with laughter.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if my aunt could find a few elephants,” Melody said while playing with the straw in her glass. “This one time, my pack had a big Halloween party, and my Packmaster wanted to impress a new Councilman. So my aunt hired a Mage who was a Wielder. You know how they can make balls of light that kill people? This guy was juggling them out in the field! One got loose and set the Councilman’s car on fire, so my Packmaster definitely made an impression. True story.”
I placed my napkin on my plate and signaled for the server to collect our dishes. “Today was a ball, but we should have more of these at home for the time being so we’re not excluding Hope.”
“Can’t argue with that,” Melody added. “It’s not the same without her, and I sure don’t want to pressure her into these trips. We grew up together, so I definitely know her limits. Plus her father made me promise to keep an eye on her.”
“Isn’t that Tak’s job?” Robyn finished her drink.
Melody gave a hollow chuckle. “You don’t know her father. I wouldn’t be surprised if he made Lakota promise the same thing. Hope is their only child, so he’s super protective. For what it’s worth, I ordered her a plate to go.” Melody rifled through her purse.
“Today is on me,” I insisted.
The women exchanged a glance, and it was obvious why. I was the only one sitting at the table who didn’t have a job.
I also didn’t have a penny to my name, but they didn’t need to know that. Salem had offered me whatever I desired for our lunches. For all these girls knew, I had raked up a fortune from my previous career as an impersonator.
And I had.
Circumstances change.
After collecting our dishes, the server placed the bill on the table. When I counted the money and added a tip, the server looked over her shoulder.
Then she said, “Today’s meal is on the house, courtesy of the owner. Have a wonderful day, ladies. We hope to see you again soon.” She collected the bill and scurried off.
“Someone’sfeeling generous,” Melody remarked before waving. “Thanks, Atticus.”
I twisted around and spotted the blond-haired Vampire standing by a door that connected to the red room. He inclined his head, hands clasped in front of him as if he’d been watching us the whole time.
