“Yes,” I answer. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You haven’t touched your champagne,” he says, nodding to the rose-hued flute in front of me. “I know you’re not much of a drinker, but it’s Dom Perignon.”
Of course, it is. I’ve been aching to drink it ever since the waiter poured the glass. The bubbles are dancing from the bottom to the top, tempting me with every beaded pop. But obviously, I can’t. Instinctively, yet luckily subtly, my hand presses to my belly under the table.
“Yeah, I quit drinking a few months ago. I’m sorry,” I say, and Dom shakes his head.
“Don’t be sorry,” he insists, taking my hand in his. “You could ask for fruit punch, and I’d tell the bartender to whip it up for you.”
I giggle, and he smiles. Even if this is all for show, my heart settles a little in my chest.
“Well, aren’t you two the picture of perfection?” Dom’s father approaches our table, and we both look up at him. Dom doesn’t let go of my hand.
“Hello Mr. Wolfe,” I say, and he shakes his head. “Call me Enzo, please.”
“Oh, you’re lucky,” Dom teases. “No one gets to call him by his first name.”
Enzo laughs and Dominic smiles. I know that smile is for me, but I can’t for the life of me figure out what is going on. The dynamic is…friendly. I didn’t know they were capable of that.
“Lovely party, son,” Enzo goes on, furthering my surprise. “You’ve really done well for yourself. In so many ways.”
“Thanks, Dad,” Dom answers, and I swear I am going to wake up from whatever crazy dream this is. That’s a pregnancy symptom, right? Wild, nonsensical dreams? Dominic keeps me in the moment, realistic or not, by rubbing his thumb over my finger.
“Mila!” I’m still trying to process whatever the hell is happening, but I hear my name being called from across the dock. I turn to see Lainey waving and smiling.
“Go ahead, dear,” Enzo nods. “I need to speak to my son, anyway.”
I look at Dom who winks, sending a small jolt of electricity into my chest before quietly excusing myself from the table. Once I am far enough away, I bolt in Lainey’s direction, clomping across the wood in my heels until Lainey and I are close enough to embrace.
“I was wondering where you were,” I tell her. “All of this is wild, isn’t it?”
“They are known for some pretty fancy parties. But this is over the top for sure,” she says, looking down at my dress. “You look unreal right now, girl.”
“You do too!” I tell her. “Is this new?”
She smiles down at the lemon meringue satin gown with a smile. “It is. When you sent me that photo of what Dominic bought you, I decided I needed to go shopping. I found this on the sale rack at Brayden’s. Can you believe it was only twenty dollars?”
“I can,” Rachel and Amanda are suddenly standing next to us, and when Rachel sees the look I give her, she replaces the RBF with a smile. “I’m kidding. It’s very, ‘How to Lose A Guy in Ten Days’.”
“Yes. Very Kate Hudson,” Amanda adds, and after a hesitant moment, Lainey forces a small smile.
“It is a lovely dress, but Mila is definitely the star tonight.” Brynn’s voice comes from behind us. She’s wearing red with red lipstick, and her blond hair is curled. She looks like a 1940’s Barbie doll. She gives me a hug and then looks me over, her eyes landing on my left hand.
“What?” I ask with a smile, bringing my hand up to my chest.
“Nothing,” she says, but her eyes say differently. “There’s just been rumors at the Cockpit, that’s all.”
“Rumors about what?” I ask.
Rachel and Amanda make no point of hiding their giggles and their glances at one another. I look at Lainey, who seems equally confused, and then back at Brynn. But before she can say anything else, Dominic appears out of nowhere.
“Excuse me, ladies. I was hoping I could borrow my girlfriend for a moment,” he says with enough charm to sugarcoat the moon. The girls all smile. He places his hand on my back and whisks me away.
“Thank you, but I didn’t really need saving,” I whisper up at him. “I think Brynn and the girls are actually starting to warm up to Lainey. Honestly, it would make my life much, much easier.”
“This has nothing to do with them,” he says in a low voice, a smile playing on his lips.
“No? Then what are you up to?” I ask and then the next thing I know, he’s stepping up onto the stage where the little band is playing. “Dominic?” I ask, but he just tugs me along.
