“Cov’s a dancer. Maybe you two have worked together before,” Tris offered.
“No!” Covington shook her head. “We haven’t worked together.”
A strained silence followed her outburst and the comfort she’d felt moments ago vanished under a wave of embarrassment.
Ryan broke the awkward moment. “Well, we’ll let you get back to it.”
Karina smiled and said, “Enjoy your lunch,” before Ryan took her elbow and guided her toward the doorway at the back of the café.
“See. Just Ryan and Karina,” Tris said with a grin.
Covington pulled her eyes away from the disappearing duo and shook her head. “Sorry. There isn’t anythingjustabout either one of them.”
“You two need a few more minutes to decide what you want,” Sue Ann asked.
“Oh.” Covington jumped. She’d forgotten the other woman was there.
Her mind had been taken over by two of the countries most famous singers. One of who was this woman’s grandson. Way to make an impression.
In an attempt to appear less like a star-struck idiot and more like a completely sane customer, she asked. “What would you recommend?”
“Depends on how hungry you are. Tristan here always has the pot roast with extra potato and gravy.”
Tris chuckled. “You know me well.”
“That sounds good. I’ll have that too.” Covington smiled and held out the menu. “And a glass of milk.”
“Your usual iced tea, Tristan?” At his nod Sue Ann took the menu from Covington and confirmed their order. “Glass of milk, iced tea and two roasts coming right up.”
After Sue Ann walked away Covington bent over and pressed her forehead against the table. Barely resisted the urge to thump her head on the hard surface. “Oh my god, I’m a complete idiot,” she muttered into the tablecloth.
“What makes you say that?” Tris wedged his hand between her head and the table.
Tipping her face up, she gazed at him with astonishment. “Are you serious? I just made a fool of myself because I couldn’t get over the fact Karina Black and Ryan Perkins weren’t just breathing the same air as me, they weretalkingto me.”
Tris laughed. “I’m sure you’re not the first to get a little tongue tied.”
“I wish my tonguehadbeen tied.”
“You weren’t that bad.” He chucked her under the chin. “Don’t worry about it. Here come our drinks.”
At the mention of fluid a spasm gripped her bladder and she sat up straight, squeezing her legs together. “Oh.”
Tris frowned at her. “What?”
“I have to pee.”
Grinning, he pointed in the direction Karina and Ryan had gone. “That way.”
“Thanks.” Tightening her muscles, Covington waited until she was sure there would be no risk of leakage before she stood and dashed between tables and into the hallway.
She found the restroom and pushed inside almost taking out the woman coming out. “Sorry,” she called out as she rushed into the cubicle without looking back.
There were many things about being pregnant that Covington had discovered weren’t allglowing. One was her new toileting habit. No warning and no time to wait. In the beginning she’d been caught out a number of times. Even had to go so far as to carry a spare pair of panties in her handbag. Although she’d managed to avoid using them up until now, but you could bet the minute she stopped carrying them around she’d be back to peeing her pants.
The information leaflets might have mentioned the whole need-to-pee-every-other-second phenomenon, but they failed to explain the embarrassing side effects. Those she’d learned about first hand, and after having to purchase new underwear twice Covington had wised-up and come prepared from then on.
Relief flowed through her as coiled muscle unwound and the call of nature was answered.God. In the last few weeks peeing had taken the place of sex on the top of her list of best feelings ever. Except that one night with Tris.Thatwas the best feeling ever. Which was sad when she thought about it. Sad that she’d only had one night and sad that before him she’d actually believed she knew what good sex was.
