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“You could say that.” Toby set the drink on the bar and hurried toward her. “Need a ride? I know a back way out of here. If you’re interested?”
“Definitely.”
“Think you can make it around the porch to the front? If so, I’ll meet you there with your coat.”
She didn’t move until the contraction passed. “Yes. I…I can do that. But don’t tell anyone. I don’t want to ruin the party.”
“No problem. Let’s go.”
Toby showed her the French doors that opened out onto a wraparound porch. She headed toward the front of the house slowly, careful to watch her step on the moisture-slicked planks, thankful for the moon lighting the way around expensive outdoor furniture and planters. Darcy rounded the corner of the house only to pause. Garret sat sprawled on a bench staring up at the night sky.
He heard her and turned, immediately shoved himself to his feet. “What are you doing?”
“Leaving.”
“Where’s your coat? Are you feeling all right? What happened?”
“I’m fine. I just want to go ho—To the condo. Please give Rosetta my best and tell her I’m tired. I’ll see her in the morning.”
“Don’t leave.” He shrugged his suit jacket off and wrapped it around her. “I’ll take you upstairs. You can lie down in one of the bedrooms. If you’re not feeling well, you shouldn’t be alone.”
She shrugged the coat off and handed it back to him. “Thanks, but no. And I won’t be alone. Your friend Toby is driving me.”
“Toby?” He tossed the jacket aside. “Why are you going withToby?”
“He’s leaving. He’s going to drop me off on his way home.”
He took another step closer. “Are you sure that’s it? Where were you? I’ve been looking for you. I wanted to tell you something.”
“I—In the bathroom. Pregnant women, you know?”
“Darcy, what’s going on? Did someone say something to you?”
“No. No one said a thing to me. In fact, everyone has been amazingly nice, considering.”
“Considering what?”
“Considering who I am. I see where you get your kindness and manners. Your parents are great. And Jocelyn is—She’s beautiful. I heard about what she’s doing for the children’s ward at the hospital, using the gallery opening to get donations. That’s sweet. You’re going to be happy with her.”
Garret stiffened. “What did you say?” He grasped her elbow and gently tugged her deeper into the shadows along the side of the porch.
Embarrassed to be seen with her?
“You’re upset.” He swore softly. “Darcy, I’m sorry about this week. Work has been a nightmare with Harry arguing every change, and I thought, given timing, it might be good for both of us to take a breather and make sure we’re doing the right thing.”
“It was perfect timing,” she agreed. His expression softened into one that tugged at her heartstrings—until they broke.
“If this is about me not picking you up tonight—”
“Of course not. I mean, why would you bring me? I’m not your girlfriend. Or should I say fiancée?”
Chapter 23
SEEING GARRET GRIMACEat her wording didn’t make Darcy feel any better.
“This hasn’t been fair to you or Jocelyn.”
“You’re right. Which is why I’m going to do what I should’ve done from the beginning—keep my distance and ask that you keep yours.” She shook her head when he opened his mouth. “I mean it, Garret. This week, tonight, helped me realize I’ve turned into someone IsworeI’d never be—the other woman.” She laughed, the sound bitter to her own ears. “My mother may be on husband number four, but it’s not for lack of trying to get other women’s husbands to notice her. I know better than to think situations like this end happily. It’s ironic to think of myself as a home-wrecker, big as I am, but it’s true. That’s what they consider me, too. The people in there.”
