AllFreeNovel
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Tuesday night, Hunter and I make our first public appearance as a couple at a charity function Hannah’s boutique, Filigree & Facet, is sponsoring. Hunter had offered to take me shopping or have Hannah’s stylist pick out something for me, but I don’t want to trouble anyone, so I planned to wear the red dress that I previously picked up at the consignment shop with June.
An hour ago, I realized that with pregnancy, how a dress fits in the morning is very different than how it fits in the evening. A lot can happen in twelve hours. Hell, I felt that waybeforeI was pregnant.
So, after a minor breakdown upon which Hunter offered to close Bergman’s so I could shop for a dress, I opted to re-wear the green, less fitted dress from the ballet.
“You look gorgeous,” Hunter whispers in my ear as we pose on the red carpet outside the venue, his hands possessively pulling me close to him.
“Hunter, who is the lucky lady?”
“My girlfriend, Sophie Hart,” he responds proudly.
Hunter’s announcement starts another flurry of camera flashes, followed by a slew of questions.
“How long have you been together?”
“Hunter, is she the one?”
“Miss Hart, who are you wearing?”
My mouth gapes open unintelligibly. I’m certain I look like a wooden doll, all stiff limbs and a vacant expression. Hunter doesn’t respond to the rest of their questions, but ushers me along with a hand on my lower back.
“You okay?” he asks once we’re inside.
“Yeah, it’s just odd that anyone cares about me.”
“I care, that makes everyone else curious.”
Inside, we meet up with Hannah and James. Upon our approach, Hannah’s lips are pressed together, her eyes wide, but friendly. She looks like she’s about to burst at the seams.
“I’m so happy to see you two together,” she says, pulling me into an embrace. “You make a stunning couple.”
“Thank you.”
“And nothing is more satisfying than seeing my brother obsessing over a woman,” Hannah teases.
“Are you ready to pull back the curtain and find out how obnoxious the elegant Hannah Cartwright can be?” Hunter ribs her back.
“Oh, I think I’m going to enjoy being around you two,” I say.
I laugh at their teasing; it reminds me of my relationship with Griffin. Just the thought of him has the unease of the rift between us settling back in my stomach.
I haven’t spoken to him since I left the apartment on Saturday night.
Hannah laughs, then her attention shifts and she motions with her hand above her shoulder. “Sophie, I want you to meet my friend Colette Davenport.”
A woman emerges from behind Hunter. With dark hair and crystal blue eyes with such fair skin, she looks like a porcelain doll. Her frame is petite, yet defined by lithe muscle.
Hunter leans in. “She’s the dancer I wanted to introduce you to at the NYC ballet.”
My eyes light. “Yes, I remember. Oh my gosh, it was such a stunning performance.”
Hannah’s lips quirk and she elbows Hunter in the ribs. “Now I know why you wanted my tickets.”
“Colette, this is my girlfriend, Sophie Hart.” It’s the second time tonight he’s introduced me that way, but I think it will take a million times more to feel real. That our once secret relationship is now out in the open.
I shake Colette’s hand. “You’re an amazing dancer. So graceful. I loved every minute of the performance.”
“Thank you,” she says, an angelic smile on her face.
