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I was sure she had no idea I was pregnant, especially given the cut of my dress, but if she looked closely enough she’d figure it out. I said, “Thank you. You look sensational.”
“So does your dead husband,” she said, a hint of what the fuck? in her lovely British voice.
“Long story. I’ll explain later. For now, please just keep our secret.”
“Of course.”
“And this one.” I stretched the material against my stomach to reveal the baby bump.
“Oh, Ari!” She gave me another hug. “Congratulations, love!”
“Thanks.”
“Well, this is all so very clandestine,” she said. “I’m drunk with intrigue.”
“Make it more fun and have some bubbly,” I told her. The attendant had glasses for our five additional guests.
Tamera accepted one, but while we were still off to the side, away from any eavesdropping, she said, “I see you’re still palling around with the very sexy Kyle Jenns.”
“I couldn’t help but notice you admiring him at Meg and Sean’s wedding. At mine, as well.”
“He’s very easy on the eyes, love. Where do you find all of these delicious men?”
“I have no idea. But why don’t you wander over and strike up a conversation with Kyle? I think he’d like it.”
She didn’t need additional encouragement. My dad sidled up to me after Tamera left.
“So,” he said in a low voice. “He’s alive.”
I smiled brighter. “Yes, he is. Thank God. Sorry I couldn’t tell you sooner. He’s working with the FBI. They’re going to nail those responsible for the Lux bombing. And other criminal activity.”
“Ari—” His tone was tinged with warning.
“Dad, don’t worry about it tonight. Let’s all enjoy ourselves.”
I could see it was a bit challenging to accept the reality standing before them. Even Ethan was taken aback. He clasped Dane on the shoulder and said, “You’d better have one hell of a good explanation.”
“I do. But … I’ll save it for later.” He lifted his flute in the air and announced, “Thank you all for joining us once again. I regret it’s been so long since we’ve all gotten together, but I do appreciate you spending the evening with us.”
We all clinked rims. I noted Ethan’s curious glance at my clear, carbonated drink, obviously not champagne. He didn’t say a word, though. Didn’t quiz Dane further, either, on his absence of late. No one mentioned his unexpected reappearance. Shock lingered in the air, regardless.
After polishing off our drinks, we all boarded a Gulfstream jet in the same hangar with the Lear, though this one was much larger to accommodate our group. I wondered if we owned it, too.
No one knew where we were headed, and Dane didn’t elaborate. He didn’t even tell me. Then the Grand Canyon came into view, and we approached the landing strip. I still didn’t know what he had up his sleeve, but the location was spectacular, especially at sunset.
I glanced over at him and smiled.
He whispered, “I want to make you smile like that every day. Of course, that’s not all I want to do to you every day.”
Heat, and likely pink, crept over my cheeks.
Dane said, “I want to make you blush, too. And come.”
I sucked in a sharp breath. Luckily, no one could hear it. We were in the back of the plane, not fully engaged in the animated conversations.
I said, “You should behave.”
“That’s not at all what you want me to do.”
