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“Yes, you can, and you will. Stop being a coward, Lola, because I know you're not one. Dion messed up, but he didn't mess up the way you are thinking. Him and Isla are over and he shouldn't have invited her without warning you, but you have nothing to worry about there. Dion is crazy about you, not her.”
“I don’t know.”
My best friend made a strangled sound in the back of her throat. “Please don't pull a Jax on me. Jealousy doesn't suit you. You know you have that man's heart. Now you just have to go and talk to him and get the actual man.”
“That's easier said than done.”
Holding me out at arm's length, she gave me the once over. “With you looking like that, it's going to be the easiest thing in the world, Lola. Now let's go.”
* * *
There weren't as many people as I expected filling Erik's open plan home. The band was there, along with the usual groupies, but they seemed to be mostly professional couples dressed up to the nines.
I had thought my blue satin number was a little over the top, but looking around I felt suddenly under dressed. The dress I had worn to the Summit Awards would have been more appropriate. I swallowed hard. My steps slowed, so I fell behind Elodie, who up until that moment had been holding my hand.
She paused, glancing between Jax, across the room, and me. “Lola,” she warned, and there was no ignoring it. “Don't even think about bolting.”
One look at her face and I knew she would tackle me to the ground if I tried. And she was right. What she had said earlier had been spot on. I wasn't a coward. I was quiet, and I didn't like confrontation, but I wasn't a coward. I never had been.
Straightening my shoulders, I smiled.
“Everything ok?” Jax looped his arm around her waist but his eyes were on me totally. “Are you ok Lola?” His eyes drifted down to my stomach and I bit back a groan. “I mean, are you feeling ok after your stomach bug?” he amended quickly.
Elodie elbowed him sharply in the ribs and I winced.
“I'm fine thanks, Jax.” For some reason my voice came out ultra polite, and I did a double take as from some unseen room a dark head appeared. The head snapped up and stormy eyes met mine.
I looked away first because, for all my bravery, I wasn't ready to deal with Dion yet. I needed some liquid courage before that happened.
“Come on.” Jax hooked his arm through mine. “Let's get you ladies a drink.”
I grinned at him in thanks. Jax was many things, but he had seen the look of panic on my face and had acted accordingly. “Last time I saw Tate, he was rustling up cocktails and–”
“Hello, Lola.” Dion stepped straight into our path, blocking the way forward.
“Hi, Dion, we were just getting some drinks and–”
Jax cut Elodie off, his hand on her elbow as he manoeuvred her away. “Let's give them a little privacy, love.”
“So how have you been?” Dion didn't even wait until they were out of earshot. “You've been sick?” His eyes searched my face.
“I'm fine.” I tried to smile and failed. Why was this so awkward? I’d been living with this man only the week before. I'd been falling in love with him, and yet now I could barely talk to him. Hell, I could barely look him in the eye when he was talking to me. How was I going to tell him I was carrying his child?
“How have you been?” I finally managed to squeak.
“Bad, lost.” Those smoky eyes grew soft. “Lost without you.” One hand reached out and brushed across my wrist. A shiver ran through me before I could stop it. “When are you coming home?”
I did a double take. He wanted me to come home? To his home?
“To your place?” I asked, not even attempting to keep the surprise out of my voice.
Dion's fingers closed around my wrist and with one small tug, he brought me tumbling into his chest. “Our home, Lola. I still want it to be our home. It's not really a home without you in it, anyway.”
“Dion.”
“I've missed you.” The hand around my wrist tightened, but he didn't let it go to wrap me up in his arms. It probably would have been easier if he had. “I'm going to meetings. Every day.” He smiled a little sadly. “I just want you to know that.”
I sucked in a breath. “Dion,” I tried again.
