“Pregnant. Oh. That’s wonderful. Congratulations.”
“Thanks.” Jessica’s cheeks turned a bright pink. “We weren’t even trying. My mother says the women in our family are blessed with baby-making genes. Men just need to look at us a certain way and,bam, out comes a baby.”
Dana tried to think of a response but couldn’t.
“Hector and I are so happy. We had planned to wait another year or so, but now’s as good a time as any. Anyway, like I said, I don’t want to monopolize the conversation with baby talk, but the girls will notice I’m not drinking alcohol. I was hoping you might run interference for me. You know, help me change the subject if someone brings it up.”
“Of course. You can count on me.”
“Thanks. It’s still early in the pregnancy so I don’t want to jinx myself by telling everyone. I’ll let Anise and Bea know soon.”
“Sure. Makes sense.” Dana’s eyes began to burn. “Um, are you okay going back on your own? I need to use the ladies’ room.”
“Yeah. Thanks for listening, and foryou know.” Jessica rolled her eyes toward her stomach and giggled. She grabbed their waters and headed back to the table.
Dana walked through the lobby, keeping her head high. Her eyes decided this was a perfect time to betray her and filled with water. Moving quickly, she rounded a corner and slid into a quiet alcove by one of the shop entrances. Facing the wall, keeping her face turned from prying eyes, she bit her lip and breathed in and out.
I will not cry. I will not cry.
She hadn’t cried yet and didn’t want to. She had been managing to hold it in, but between her own situation, Roman’s betrayal, and Jessica’s pregnancy, her emotions refused to be contained.
She couldn’t fall to pieces now. Anise needed her support. The least she could do was toe the line for a week.
Just one week of putting on a brave face.
She could come apart later.
You can do this.
Just as she convinced herself she was in control of her emotions, another gurgle sounded from her belly. Dana touched it, amazed and angry and horrified at the same time.
Men just need to look at us a certain way and, bam, out comes a baby.
Jessica was Tommy’s kind of woman.
“I fucking hate you, Tommy,” she whispered. Once more, the tears threatened. “Stop it. Keep your shit together.”
There was no room on her agenda for tears and regret. God help her, she would somehow find it in her to have the best goddamn week of her life. She would take every opportunity, would seize every moment, drink every drink, and experience all the pleasures the Strip had to offer.
Even if it killed her.
With a discreet swipe, Dana wiped her eyes and turned around.
Alex stood before her, a respectable distance away. His brow furrowed when he saw her face. “Dana, are you okay?”
Oh, my. This is it. Breathe. “Yeah. I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine.”
“It’s just…allergies. I’m not used to being around so much cigarette smoke.”
“Allergies. Right.” He took a step toward her. “The smoke can be thick in places.”
“Exactly. Anyway, I’ll see you around.”
“Dana, wait.”
She stood still. “Alex, before you say anything, I should apologize.”
