Ah, yes. Nice one. So original.
“I heard you’re working as Felix Barlowe’s nanny?” she continues before I can come up with an appropriate response. “That’s quite the adventure.”
The way she says “adventure” makes it sound like I’m a bank account barnacle.
“Just helping out a friend,” I say, keeping my voice steady.
“Right. A friend.” Morgan exchanges a look with the othergirls. “I’m sure you’reveryhelpful, especially since you quit your job at the hospital.”
“Taking a little break to figure out what I want to do next,” I answer, trying, and likely failing, not to sound defensive.
“Have you met Marie? She’s the sweetest.”
“Oh, I’m sure,” I agree, and it feels like my cheeks might crack from smiling so hard.
One of the catering staff announces that the newly married couple will be starting their first dance together. Which is a blessing because I’m about to let loose on Morgan and the gang.
“I promised Christy I’d video the dance. Let’s catch up later, Pip.” Morgan’s smile doesn’t reach her eyes. “I want to hear all about your...arrangement.”
They drift away, and I resist the urge to scream or cry or both. Instead, I turn back to the view, gripping the railing harder.
I’m fine. Completely. I don’t need these people. I have real friends now in the book club ladies, who actually care about me for real. And I have my baby. I press my other hand to my stomach, seeking the reminder that I’m not alone, no matter how it feels in this moment.
“There you are.”
The deep voice behind me is so unexpected that I actually jump, spinning around to find Felix Barlowe standing there in a dark suit that’s both too small and looks way too good on him. Not that it’s hard when you’re built like Felix, but seeing him dressed up is something special. The jacket emphasizes his broad shoulders, and the crisp white shirt makes his tan skin seem even more golden. His hair is styled but still has that slightly messy quality that makes me want to run my fingers through it.
My mouth goes dry. “Felix? What are you— How did you?—”
“I had a sudden urge to attend a wedding.” He steps closer, and his scent—woodsy and clean—wraps around me.
“You can’t show up at a wedding you weren’t invited to.” I glance around nervously. People are definitelylooking now. Morgan and her crew have stopped mid-conversation to stare. “What will everyone think?”
His grin is all swagger. “They’ll think you have the hottest date here.”
A borderline hysterical laugh escapes my throat as heat floods my cheeks. “That’s not?—”
“Breathe, Hart.” He reaches out and takes my hand, his thumb gently brushing over my knuckles and sending sparks up my arm. “I’m here because you’re not doing this alone.”
My chest nearly cracks open at the simple statement, and suddenly my eyes are burning with tears I refuse to let fall. “How did you know?” I whisper.
“Tyler might have mentioned that your high school friends are assholes.” He says it casually, like he’s commenting on the weather. “Then I heard that your douchey ex would be here with his new wife. And I thought to myself, ‘No fucking way am I letting Piper have all that fun on her own.’”
A watery laugh escapes me. “You didn’t have to?—”
“I wanted to.” His expression softens, and the tenderness in his eyes has my heart doing a series of backflips that would make Simone Biles proud. “Besides, it’s a well-known fact that the food at these things is usually top-notch.”
“The rubber chicken was mediocre at best.”
“Fair. The truth is, I came for the company.” He tugs on my hand. “Dance with me?”
“They’re just finishing the first dance.”
“So there’s room on the floor for us.”
“Felix—”
But he’s already pulling me toward the dance floor, which is a section of the terrace that’s been left clear next to the DJ stand near the edge of the patio. A few other couples are swaying along with Christy and her new husband. I try not to notice how all eyes swing to us as Felix pulls me close, one hand settling on my lower back while the other keeps hold of my hand. And my heart.
