Despite the yearning seeping through her, sadness took hold. Yes, they would have tonight…maybe this week, then…
“Be back in a minute.” Swallowing hard, she picked up her purse and made for the restroom.
Darci shut the door, leaned her hands on the marble basin in the elegant washroom, and inhaled a harsh breath, a huge invisible fist of despair squeezing her lungs. Rinsing her shaky hands with cold water did little to ease her. She lifted her gaze and stared at her reflection in the mirror, the staggered colors of her sunflower-hued eyes more brilliant now with unshed tears.
She took a tissue from the box on the counter, and mindful of her mascara, she dabbed her eyes then walked out of the restroom.
“Hey, you!” Nora slid to a halt in front of her. The green streaks in her hair matched her short, halter-neck dress. Nora’s gaze widened. She looked Darci over and let out a low whistle. “Whoa! Girl, you look sexy—like some golden goddess. The hunk must be close to keep the predators away, eh?”
And just like that, Nora brought her smile back. “He’s here. Why are you so late?”
“Argh, my family crashed at my place late last night.” Nora scrunched her face and hooked her arm through Darci’s. “Let’s go find a drink, I’m dying for several.” Evading the swarm of people in the corridor, they headed back. “So, you and Blaéz are okay now?”
“Yes, we worked things out.” She didn’t want to talk about them so she steered the conversation to the engaged couple. “Did you see Irina, yet?”
“Sure did. I doubt if she noticed me, though. Her attention was all on Thomas.” Nora grinned, pushing open the door to the reception drenched with laughter, music, and perfume.
Darci couldn’t blame Irina for being so wrapped up in Thomas when all Darci thought of was Blaéz.
“There’s the bar,” Nora said, like she’d seen utopia. It probably was with her troublesome family around. They cut through the milling bodies and Nora plunked herself on a seat. Snapped her fingers. “Vodka, lots of ice”—then she lowered her voice—“and give my friend here a Screaming Orgasm.”
The waiter’s gaze darted to Darci. She had to bite back her smile. “Really, Nora, stop saying it like that to the guys.”
Nora grinned. “Come on, it’s fun—admit it, yeah?”
Darci shook her head, still a little embarrassed when the bartender came back with their drinks. “Can I have a whiskey, too?” she asked him. “No ice.”
Nora guzzled back her liquor. “Needed that. I can’t stay long, Dars, I told Irina, too. I have to get back home. Families are a pain in the backside, I tell ya.”
Irina, walking past, did a U-turn when she saw them. A wide grin split her attractive face. “There you guys are.”
“Lemme see the ring again,” Nora demanded.
Her face flushed in happiness, Irina held out her hand, the diamond solitaire sparkled in the light.
“It’s exquisite.”
“Beautiful,” Darci agreed, trying to ignore the hollow pit in her chest.
“Dars, I bet you will follow in my footsteps soon, right?” Irina teased. “Blaéz can’t seem to keep his eyes off you.” She looked past Darci and grimaced. “Seriously, you better hurry back. My cousin’s heading for him—the man-shark!”
Darci’s stomach dipped. Naturally, she glanced his way. Sure enough, a slender, dark-haired woman spoke to Blaéz. She knew exactly how he’d be, all coolly polite and nothing else. His gaze met hers across the room. She smiled. He stared. “I guess I’d better go rescue him.”
A cell beeped. Nora held up a finger and pulled out her phone from her evening bag. She stared at her text. Her lips tightened. “I’ve gotta go. I’m so sorry I can’t stay and meet your man, Dars. But soon, yeah?”
“It’s okay.”
As Darci turned to take her drinks, Nora grasped her arm. Her dark gaze flared fiercely for a second, then she hugged Darci tightly. “I’m so glad we’re friends. I never had one that didn’t bite, scratch, or try to cause trouble.”
“Me, too. Not the biting and scratching parts. But I’m glad we are.” Darci returned the embrace, wondering why Nora seemed so angry for a second. It had to be her brother. He never gave her friend a break. Darci was just glad Declan loved her.
So much that he kept a soul-destroying secret from you?She pushed that thought aside.
“Here,” Nora handed Darci her drinks. “Have fun.” Then she disappeared into the throng of people.
* * *
Blaéz leaned back in his seat after he’d declined the female’s invitation to ‘get to know one another’, and watchedhiswoman at the bar.
