Locke snorted, a smile stretching across his face.
Jasper glowered at us all, his lips curled back, but he didn’t have any barbs left to throw—not after being so thoroughly put in his place. He turned and barreled through the crowd, shouldering people out of the way.
But I couldn’t even gloat or feel relieved at the sight of him stalking off with his tail between his legs because my thoughts were stuck on one thing. Lena was pregnant.
Bloody fucking hell.
“Oh, sweetheart, I thought I told you to sit down!” Jo said.
I turned my head and saw Lena standing among the crowd of onlookers with Tess. But instead of looking elated to have her best friend in town for the festival—which had been my intention—all the color had drained from her face.
She looked like she was going to be sick.
23
LENA
Alittle one on the way…Jo’s words pulsed on repeat in my mind.Everyone’s head was turned in my direction, curious whispers starting, secret smiles being shared. Next to me, Tess hummed uncertainly.
Now was not the time to go public with things that was nobody’s business.
Well, there was one person. I looked at Weston. His eyes were wide, his mouth open, but his expression was unreadable. What the hell was he thinking? Bile climbed up the back of my throat as Weston started moving in my direction.
Tess snatched my hand, drawing my attention. Her eyebrows were pulled into a tight knot, worry clear in the tense set of her mouth. “Lena, are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I lied.Please don’t make it a thing, please don’t.God, I was going to be sick again! But we didn’t have time for that. Weston and I were due on stage in—I checked my watch—three minutes. We had a speech to deliver and a plaque to present and…I blinked at the intense pressure behind my eyes becausesomething that’d taken me years to accept suddenly wasn’t acceptable.And, was that grief?
“Lena,” Tess started again. The sympathy in her voice made me cringe.
“You’ll be okay for a few minutes?” I said instead, forcing a smile. Forcing myself to be as chipper as I should have been. “Festival duties call.”
Tess cocked her head, eyeing up Weston’s friends. “I’ve got a double dose of tall, dark, and handsome standing in front of me. I’ll be just fine.” She squeezed my hand, still looking mildly concerned. “But find me after. I’m here foryou. Whatever you need.”
“Hey,” Weston said, finally reaching us, his gaze wide, bright. He looked…almost excited, and that made my heart thud uncomfortably against my ribcage. He opened his mouth, and I was terrified of the words that might tumble out.
“We’re due on stage,” I hurried to say, interrupting him as I took a step back, avoiding his hand before it could loop around my arm. “People have already started gathering.”
“Right, the speech,” he said, shaking his head the way he did when he was trying to get his thoughts in order. “Okay, yes. Speech first.”
“Let’s not keep them waiting,” I said, twisting on my heel. I reached the stage, latching onto the railing for support, my thoughts spinning and going back to the day when I got the news.
Weston’s arm wrapped around my waist, and I leaned into him, letting myself soak in his comfort. The pressure behind my eyes intensified. I blinked away the feeling.
“Are you okay?” he whispered. “Do you need me to get you anything?”
I swallowed hard, glancing awkwardly at the gathered crowd. My eyes landed on Tess, then Locke and Alistair, and then Jo, who was beaming so boldly it made me want to wretch again. Isla waved from the side of the stage, lifting her camera to capture this moment. I ran my hand through my hair, tugging at the strands. Old hurts surfaced, making my stomach churn.
Focus.
“Lena,” Weston said, the sound of my name on his lips making my jaw tremble. “What is it?”
I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. We were surrounded by too many people. Too many eyes and ears. Now wasnotthe time for a heart-to-heart talk. I just needed to get through to the end of this damn speech and then we could be alone. Then I could tell him something that I never would’ve shared with him if he were just my boss.
Weston cradled my jaw with his hands, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “I can do this on my own,” he said. “If you’re not feeling up to it.”
I ground my teeth together. I shouldn’t be letting this affect me so much. I needed to pull myself together.
Damnit, Icouldn’tdo this.
