“That color looks stunning on you,” Elizabeth added. “Just gorgeous.”
“Thank you.” Their words were a balm to the ache of Julian’s less than enthusiastic reaction to her appearance. “You both look very lovely.”
Cole and Annie entered the ballroom, and as she caught a glimpse of them, Kiara was reminded of the first time she’d seen Annie. It had been the picture that had changed everything for her and Angie.
And just like there had been photographers present at that event, there were some there that evening, already snapping shots of them.
Compliments were passed around, then Elizabeth and Duncan led the way to the table where they’d be sitting. Along the way, they greeted people, some of whom Kiara recognized from having seen them on television. Some were movie stars. Others were singers. All of them left her a little starstruck.
She worked hard to keep her expression calm, hiding the nerves that were steadily increasing. Hopefully, Julian couldn’t feel her trembling. She didn’t want him to think she was scared… even though she was.
“David and Celeste, I’d like to introduce you to my daughter-in-law, Kiara,” Duncan said to an elegantly dressed couple who were around his age.
The woman was dripping with jewels, but her smile was warm as she turned to Kiara. “Oh, my dear, it’s lovely to meet you.”
Her handshake was firm, and Kiara got the feeling that this was a woman who was confident in her role in life.
“It’s nice to meet you too,” Kiara said.
The woman’s gaze dipped to the bump that could no longer be hidden, even if she’d wanted to. “And I see it’s double congratulations for you and darling Julian.”
“She and Julian are expecting our first grandchild,” Elizabeth said with a beaming smile. “And we are so excited.”
“Grandchildren are a blessing,” David said. “All we have to do is love them, while their parents have to make the tough decisions.”
“And get up with them through the night,” Celeste added with a light laugh.
“Also with us tonight is Cole Halverson,” Duncan said as he motioned for Annie and Cole to step forward. “And this is Annie, his wife.”
They’d decided not to reveal who Annie was just yet, but Duncan had also wanted to include them in the evening, given that Cole was one of the donors and a spokesperson for the Burke Foundation.
Kiara breathed a sigh of relief as the attention moved off her. When Julian turned to say something to Anthony, Kiara moved her hand from his arm. She gripped her clutch with both hands as she looked around the room.
When her gaze landed back on Annie, Kiara wasn’t surprised to see how at ease she appeared to be. She might have been raised away from the limelight, but she’d clearly been taught how to exist within it.
Julian’s mother had been right. She did need lessons to know how to fit in. If Kiara had realized just how far out of her comfort zone she’d have to go that night, she might have stayed at the estate.
At the time, she’d been swayed by the fact that Julian had asked her to accompany him. She’d thought he'dwantedher there with him. Now she wasn’t so sure. He was distracted and clearly on edge, and it seemed like maybe it hadn’t been his idea for her to be there.
Her goal had been to make it through the evening without embarrassing the Burkes. And now she needed to make it through the evening without embarrassing herself, since the realization had come to her that Julian wasn’t as excited to haveher as his date as she had been to be there with him. She couldn’t count on his support.
Annie came to stand next to Kiara. “Looks like loads of fun, huh?”
“It’s beautiful,” Kiara said, not sure she should admit she no longer wanted to be there. “Elizabeth has certainly put a lot of effort into it.”
“She has,” Annie agreed. “I just hope my dad doesn’t expect me to ever do something similar.”
Annie and Cole stayed close to her, even as Julian moved away to talk to someone else.
“Dad, can we sit down soon?” Annie asked. “My feet are dying in these shoes.”
Duncan lifted his eyebrows at her comment. “Elizabeth manages just fine, and she’s older than you.”
“Yes, but she’s used to it,” Annie said. “I’m not. Plus, Kiara isn’t either, and she’s pregnant to boot.”
Duncan gave Kiara a sympathetic look. “Just a few more minutes, and we can be seated.”
“Maybe I should have told him my feet hurt too,” Cole said as Duncan moved away from them to where Elizabeth was speaking with another couple.
