“I know that makes sense, but I’m just not ready.”
Creases formed along his forehead and his cheek twitched. “When will you be ready? Your family knows and my mom and sister do, but I don’t want to hide us from others.”
“I don’t know. I can’t even explain why I don’t want them to know.”
“Do you have doubts?” His face was drawn into taut lines of worry.
“No doubts, none at all, but once we tell them then it’s real and I’ll have to accept my life has changed. That probably seems silly because my life was always changing with each job I was assigned, but I still had constants. But now, you are my only constant and while I accept and embrace the changes, I still have to adjust.”
Relief rolled off his face, and he gently spun her to face him, bringing flutters to her stomach. “I understand. Whatever you need, I will give you, whether it is time, space, anything.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“How do you want to handle dinner for Friday? I can tell Tom I have to work, if it would make you more comfortable.”
“No, we should both go. We pretended with each other for a year that we weren’t in love right? Surely, we can pull it off for a night.”
ChapterThirteen
Early Friday afternoon, Monica prepared to leave for Lacey’s. Butterflies flitted in her stomach as she thought of the night ahead. Why hadn’t she gone along with telling his family? Keeping their relationship hidden wasn’t fair to Rex, and she couldn’t stop thinking about it. Whether people knew about them or not didn’t change reality.
She made up her mind. Tomorrow, she’d make a special dinner for him to announce she was ready for the world to know. She loved him and didn’t care who knew.
Rushing out the door, she grabbed her purse and phone, already running late. Driving to Lacey’s, her mind shifted to memories of last winter. She couldn’t believe her luck at being sent near Rex’s Fontenot’s hometown as part of a detail for an oil tycoon’s family. They’d spent several wonderful months together, hanging out in every spare minute.
Everything had been perfect until it was time to leave. But when he’d asked her for a commitment, she had been too chicken and ruined it. She wasn’t about to let fear rule her relationship, yet she didn’t regret the time they’d spent apart. Those months she’d spent recovering had grown and stretched her in ways she hadn’t realized she needed.
When she drove up to the house, she saw a car she recognized as Sara’s, Lacey’s cousin from her mother’s side, and one that she didn’t know. She knocked on the door and was greeted with a hug from Lacey, who began the introductions.
“Come here, girls, and meet Monica, my former bodyguard turned friend and bridesmaid.” A very pregnant woman stepped forward “This is Sara, who I know you have seen, but now I can formally introduce you.”
Sara stepped forward and embraced Monica in another hug. “It’s nice to officially meet you. Lacey has talked so much about you, I feel like you’re already a part of us.”
A slim brunette stood in the corner, appearing uncomfortable.
“Don’t be shy, Serena.” Lacey waved the other lady toward them. “Monica, I’d like you to meet Serena Adams, my wedding planner. I had to twist her arm to work with us, but she’s the best out there, especially for a quick wedding.”
Regaining her professionalism, the brunette stepped forward and extended her hand.Alas, someone that doesn’t hug.She’d never been a touchy-feely person. The greeting hug used to bother her, but she’d spent enough time in the south that she’d become accustomed to them.
“We’ll sit in the dining room. I have freshly brewed sweet tea and an assortment of snacks for us.”
Monica sat down with Sara and Monica. Lacey placed a glass of tea in front of each guest. Then she brought some small plates and napkins, setting them beside the platters of chopped vegetables and cookies.
And mustard.
Monica watched in amusement as Sara dipped a broccoli floret into the mustard and happily chopped away.
When Sara spotted Monica attempting to hold in her mirth she laughed. “I can’t help it. I know it sounds gross, but it’s so good. I’m sure it’s a pregnancy thing.”
The four of them laughed, and Monica was relieved that her amusement caused no offense.
“I don’t know, Sara. I’m pregnant and it sounds pretty gross to me.” Lacey shuddered.
“You have no room to talk Miss Caramel and Turkey sandwich,” Sara shot back with a humored grin.
“Don’t forget the pickle juice mixed with sweet tea.” She shot Lacey a teasing wink.
“Ooh, that sounds good.” Sara’s eyes dropped to her crystal cup. “Do you have any pickle juice?”
