I’d been denying it (more like trying to ignore it), but theweight in the pit of my stomach that I’d been holding made itself known.Ibegan to feel slightly nauseous and definitely like I was about to burst intotears.
All of this happened as I was reminded, if I didn’t springMom and the other Maxine early, it was going to take me at least a year to getthis done.I might have to have a kid in the meantime, and for sure, she orhe’d have to come home with us.
This meant I’d be taking him from Loren.
Then there was Loren.And his dad, who seemed to be sweet.And Idina, who was shy and reserved, but I thought…
“Shall we get you dressed, Countess?”Idina queried.
I came back again and whispered, “I’m sorry, I have a lot onmy mind.”
“I’m sure,” she whispered in return, holding my gaze in themirror.
I drew in breath and said, “Let’s get this done.”
She tipped her head to the side and hesitantly asked, “Hedoesn’t please you?”
At her question, the weight in my belly felt the slightestbit lighter.
Was she making an overture?
“He’s very handsome,” I told her.
“That he is,” she agreed.
“He’s also very overbearing.”
She scrunched her mouth to the side.It was cute.
She stopped doing that to say, “They tend to be.”
“Of course they do.However, perhaps I can break him ofthat.”
She made a surprised pip of a laugh, and I grinned at her.
Then I said, “Bring on the iron maiden.”
Her eyes got huge.
“My corset, Idina,” I explained.
At that, she actually giggled.
That was cuter.
Cripes, now I was building a bond and making friends with agirl I was probably going to have to use.
Okay.
All right.
Gah!
This sucked.
All of it!
We moved to the dressing area.
