Emma,who has been MIA recently, finally showed up at my house to drop off my dress for the gala. It seems like a lifetime since I was at Dax’s house meeting his parents, and his mom was talking to me about the gala. After finding out I was pregnant, I worried about my dress, but Emma had taken my measurements from the wedding dress and guesstimated how far I would be along to ensure I had a proper evening gown for tonight.
“Okay, Liv. Let’s see how it looks.”
I grab the material and feel the softness of the fabric as it moves freely through my fingers. I do a little squeal, and Emma can’t stop herself. “I’m going to pour myself some wine to see this. I know you still have some around, right?”
I laugh because the girl knows me too well. “Yes, on that rack on the dining room table.”
She looks into that room and smiles. “Perfect, you go show me how stunning you will look in this dress, and I will get myself a glass of my favorite cabernet.”
I run off into the bedroom and strip down into my panties. I obviously can’t wear a bra with this top, and my boobs have never looked better. I am much bigger than I was before, and Dax seems to enjoy the large handfuls he gets these days. I lift my arms and slide the dress down. The fabric floats down my body, and the coolness feels fantastic against my skin. I look in the mirror and see that the dress fits perfectly. It hugs my curves in the right spot and flows out around my midsection. It is a little short for me, but I’m sure Dax won’t mind that. I twirl around and see it flare at the sides as I swing back and forth.
I run into the living room as Emma is already refilling her glass. Her lips are pursed, and her hand is shaking. I stop and take in my friend. I wish she would confide in me about what is bothering her. She thinks I can't tell but is always skittish and evasive when I ask her questions. She turns to look at me, hiding her feelings behind a mask. When she sees me in my dress, that beautiful smile reforms on her face.
“Look at you!” she says as she makes her way over to me in a skipping pattern. She grabs my hands in hers, jumping up and down. “Liv, you look ravishing in this dress. Dax is going to rip this off you after the gala.”
“Ha, that’s where you're wrong, Emma. He’ll throw the back over my head and take me from behind up against this wall instead.”
Emma almost spits her wine out, but instead, she snorts it out her nose. Choking, she sputters, “Why Liv, you little minx. Now that is the funniest thing I’ve heard. Where is my shy friend I once knew?”
We both chuckle at my brazenness and discuss our plans for the evening.
“Where’s Dax?” she asks.
“Oh, he went to pick up his altered tux and should be back soon. Nothing like waiting until the last minute.” Not wanting to approach the topic because I was sure she would avoid it, I decided to ask anyway. “So, how are things with Eduardo? You seemed to be happy with Jameson, and then you met Eduardo…” I trail off to see if she will willingly fill in the blanks to the mystery of their secretive relationship. Instead, I continue. “I never did thank him for helping that night months ago when I found out I was pregnant. Fainting—passing out at his club was not one of my finer moments.”
“Oh, Liv, don't even worry about that. Yeah, I liked Jameson, but it wasn’t there. When I met Eduardo… I don’t know. He makes me feel….” She grabs her lip, rubbing it back and forth.
“Happy?” I answer for her, but she shakes her head.
“Even better. He makes me feel safe.”
I look at her in confusion. “Safe?”
She looks at me as if she wants to say more but thinks better of it. She gets up and drains the remaining wine from the glass in one big gulp before placing it into the sink. She picks up her keys, and I know this is the end of our conversation.
“I better go. I still have to get a quick bite before seeing you guys later at the gala.”
“Sure, I’ll see you there. We are sitting at the same table, right?”
“Of course. I’ll be sure to let Eduardo know.” She walks out without another word, and I sit there stewing over what she meant by that.
I go to my phone and call Dax to see where he is. He lets me know he is on his way, and I decide to take a bath before he gets there. I could use a good relaxing soak. I slide into the tub, let the lavender scents take over, and place a warm rag over my eyes. My phone rings and I answer, thinking it must be Dax forgetting to tell me something. I hear someone on the other line, but I need help to get through.
“Hello.” Thinking it must be a bad connection.
“Liv?”
I immediately sit up. “Brodie? Is everything okay?”
He answers more quickly this time. “Yes, Liv, I just wanted to hear your voice. What are you doing?”
I relax a bit and sink back into the tub. “Just relaxing a bit before I have to go to a gala for Dax’s work later. Why are you breathing so hard?”
“Huh, I didn’t realize I was. I have been under the weather this past week, and I’m going to have Melissa bring me some Tylenol and get to bed.”
“Please take care of yourself, Brodie.”
There is a pause before he replies. “Don’t worry about me, Liv. Have fun at your party.”
