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Darcy lifted a hand to her mouth. Jocelyn’s announcement was proof positive that she had to get out of there. Out of Rosetta’s condo. Out of Beauty. Far, far away.
“When are you going to see what a mistake this is?”
A mistake?Darcy waited for Jocelyn’s answer, holding her breath when a cramp sharpened and became uncomfortable. She squirmed in the seat.
“It’snota mistake.”
“He’s interested in someone else. You’re just going to overlook that? Do you really think that little stunt you pulled, having Garret introduce you to her, fooled anyone?”
“It’s your motives that are suspect, Tobias. What if he’d seen you that night in the parking lot? Walked out and heard the things you were saying to me? He was right inside the gym.”
What night?
“We were talking. What was he doing that night?”
“What do you mean?”
“He went to her. I drove around for a while to cool off, and since I was curious to see if he was with you, I drove by Rosetta’s. Garret was there. The thing is, I kept driving and ran into Rosetta. She was out with friends. They’d been to a movie, had dinner. Which means Darcy and Garret were in the condo alone. If you love him so much, are you going to stand there and tell me that doesn’t bother you?”
Darcy fisted her hands, trapped, angry and hurting. Garret had come to see her that night because—
It doesn’t matter. You’re leaving anyway. Soon as the baby is born, you’re outta here. Why does it matter?
Because it hurt so much. She’d sensed Garret’s upset that night. His distraction and unwillingness to talk about whatever had put him in his brooding mood. Now she knew why. Her face burned with anger and embarrassment. Garret had given her pleasure and not taken any for himself, but she still felt used. As if she were the toy he’d played with because the one he wanted wasn’t available.
“No. No, it doesn’t bother me. He’s her friend, just her friend.”
Just her friend.Of all the people to forget that fact, why did it have to be her?
“You’re really going to do this? You’re going to marry him because Daddy says so?”
“I’m going to marry Garret because I love him. Nothing you say can change that.”
Darcy closed her eyes.
“Now be a true friend to Garret and me both, Tobias. Leave us alone.”
The sound of Jocelyn’s heels faded as she continued on her way down the tiled hall. Darcy stayed where she was, unmoving. Another pain slid around her stomach, harder than the one before.
The gallery opening was two weeks from today. Which meant she had to leave town before then.
Toby cursed, then shoved open the door, startling her. The light above her head flicked on, and she winced at the blinding brightness, grimacing as she waited to see if she would be discovered.
He stalked over to the wet bar at the far side of the study, poured himself a drink and turned, spotting her immediately. He froze, the glass halfway to his lips. “Aw, hell.”
Darcy set the forgotten cake aside, managing to get to her feet without too much trouble.
“Darcy, wait.”
“Why? Does anything really need to be said?” She rubbed her back in slow, hard circles, thankful for once her body was cooperating. Two weeks was plenty of time to recover. At least enough to get out of town.
“I’m sorry.”
Another contraction began, slow and insidious, spreading around her, through her, becoming sharp and piercing. She bit her lip, closed her eyes.
“Please don’t tell me—No way. I just went through this with my sister,” he complained.
The comment made her laugh despite the tears setting her throat on fire. “Traumatized you, did it?”
