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“Yes, I had some stuff to finish and didn’t fit into Millie’s strict schedule.” Addy clears her throat, placing her hand on my shoulder. “I told you it would work out.”
I smile while reaching out to place my hand on hers. “Thank you.”
“So, how’s the Austin thing going?”
“There’s no Austin thing,” I answer defensively. “We’re civil, and things have stayed the way they should have.”
“Or did you coerce the journey to detour by escaping to travel the last few weeks?”
“I needed to work,” I argue back.
Addy purses her lips with a judgmental stare. I know she doesn’t believe a word I say, and frankly, I don’t care. Things with Austin are back to normal after that one night, where apparently, I turned into some sex-crazed maniac.
“I’m going to get something to eat and drink,” Addy informs me. “Enjoy yourself today. Remember this is all for you.”
I take the deepest breaths, ignoring Addy’s comments about Austin, and engage with those who come to chat with me. More than anything, I want a chance to sit down with Millie. Every moment I turn to search for her, she appears busy dealing with servers or Eric.
Then, when I think she’s free, Millie announces it’s time to have fun and play some games.
I don’t want to dampen the fun, but baby shower games? My feet already ache, and a nap sounds so good.
“Now,” Millie yells out, commanding everyone’s attention. “Our first game is to guess how big Mama Ava is.”
“Great,” I utter, then force a smile. “Are we guessing my weight?”
Millie shakes her head with a grin. “Each guest will be handed a piece of string. The person whose string fits perfectly around Ava will be the winner.”
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Two men bring out a chair, replicating a throne, and I sit beside the floral wall like a guinea pig. Everyone um’s and ahs, examining my body and making me highly self-conscious.
Millie collects all the strings, requesting I stand up so we can determine the winner. It is down to Mom being the closest until my cousin, Luna’s string is close to perfect. Eric hands her a small Tiffany gift bag. Damn, maybe I should play if these are the prizes.
Considering Eric spends the most time with me out of everyone here, his string is so big, you can fit two of me in there.
“Sorry, hun.” He cringes, then breaks out into an overbearing smile. “You still look fabulous, though.”
“I’ll remember that the next time you ask me how you look when we’re in the change room of Prada.”
Eric throws his hand to his neck with a dramatic gasp. “You wouldn’t dare lie to me in the Holy land.”
I glance sideways, purposely ignoring him.
Millie calls for order as she announces the rules for the next game.
“The game rules are that each person is given a baby bottle with champagne inside it. The first to finish wins,” she informs everyone. “Now, don’t think this is easy. It’s quite a challenge, so don’t be afraid to give it your all if you want to win.”
Only a few come forward to play, so it doesn’t surprise me when Adriana, Kate, Nikki, and Mom, decide to challenge each other.
“Ladies,” Eric says confidently, “I shall join you. Let the games begin.”
When Millie counts down, each of them begins sucking the bottle in hand. Apparently, it’s more complicated than it looks since the teat is relatively small, so it comes down to your sucking skills.
“Why is this so disturbing?” Alexa complains.
Luna raises her hand to cover her mouth, attempting to control her laughter. “Because Aunt Charlie is winning.”
“Why is my mom doing that thing with her tongue?” Sienna scowls, then closes her eyes. “Is it some British trick?”
