Page 31 of Dark Truth

“I know you will.” I smirked. Roxie was just talented like that. “Do you want to meet at the beach place or somewhere else?”

“No, that’s fine. Good food, and I can run off if she starts to get weird on me.”

“I’m sorry you have to worry about that.” I sighed. “I doubt Jessi will embarrass herself like that. She’s pretty level-headed and not a judging kind of person.”

“We’ll see.” She sounded doubtful, but not upset. “Lunchtime good for you?”

“That’s fine. It’s not too early for you?”

“No, not working tonight. I took a little time off to spend with Nathan.”

“Oh dear. It is serious then.”

“It’s fucking freaking me out, if I’m honest. I can’t say no to him. It’s gross, Emily. Really gross.”

“Love is not gross, Roxie!” I barked out with a laugh. “Come on, chill out. Enjoy it.”

“I think I remember you saying similar words to me at one point, missy.”

“I probably did. I take it all back. It’s not gross at all. It’s wonderful, awesome, and should be enjoyed fully.”

“Dang, you’re going to make me sick. Stop it!” I heard a mock gagging sound. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Minus the attitude, please.”

“You’ll get twice as much for that,” I promised her and hung up. It was nice to have someone to tease about love.

Emily

I sat at the table and waited for my two best friends to show up. I had on a light blue summer dress, the temperature had soared early this morning, and a pair of sandals. I hadn’t felt like putting on makeup but had on eyeliner and some lip gloss. My hair was piled up in a sloppy, but artful, mess on top of my head, and I wanted to just go to sleep and make it messier.

I’d promised to meet these two, however, so I waited patiently. The morning had been really long, but I knew my assistant, a newly hired fella named Neil, had taken one look at me and had started to field calls for me. That was his job anyway, but until this morning, I’d tried to handle everything that came my way. Today, I didn’t protest. I let him turn callers away, and sat in my office, a cold glass of ginger ale and some crackers on my desk.

I wished there was a medicine to handle this part of pregnancy. I’d give anything to have it. I remembered there’d been something brought out at some point in time that had caused birth defects and felt guilt sting at my heart. I was already worried about my little jelly bean because of the medicine I’d taken for the migraines. I didn’t want to add to it.

I’d read about cleft palate some more, after Dylan had gone to sleep last night. It worried me, it made me hurt that I might have caused the defect in my baby, but I was trying not to freak out too much. Roxie showed up just as the waiter brought me more ginger ale, and I stood to greet her.

An air kiss later and we were both in chairs on the outer deck of the restaurant. We were surrounded by white wicker tables and chairs, and beyond that, the sea. It was peaceful, beautiful, and pricey. The charm eased some of the sting of the prices, though. “I’m so glad you came.”

“I almost didn’t after that little display last night,” she teased me but gave me some right back with the statement.

She had on a flowing, sleeveless, pink cotton dress with dark roses embroidered down one side and a pair of black sandals. Unlike me, her face was made up and her hair done properly.

“I’m surprised you could climb out of bed long enough to come out,” I teased and lifted my sunglasses to wink at her.

“Hey! That’s not fair! I didn’t tease you when you could barely crawl out of that room after your first night with Dylan!” She lifted her glasses to give me a wink and continued. “I totally could have teased you mercilessly, the way you were walking.”

“Oh, that’s just cruel!” I felt a little better as our banter continued. “I, at least, had an excuse. You’ve been around that block a time or two more than me.”

“That’s true. You’re right.” She shook her head and pursed her lips in a totally smug smile. “So many more times.”

“You’re terrible, really.” She wasn’t, and she knew it.

Jessi joined us a few minutes later, so the conversation moved to introductions and ordering food and drinks. I had an extra portion of Ranch dressing brought with my salad, and Jessi smirked at me. I narrowed my eyes at her, but she kept her mouth shut. Not without a very naughty wink, though.

She knew I hadn’t told anyone else yet, but she was excited. I couldn’t blame her. I wanted to tell Roxie, Dylan, all of them, and I would. When the time was right.

“Not feeling well, today?” Jessi prodded when the salads were brought to the table, and we’d all started to eat.

I almost choked on a portion of lettuce and glared at her.