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Markham now,Ford’s voice rivets through me.
She waltzes toward me in an emerald satin gown with a man on her arm who is so gorgeous, I lose my breath.
“Bernadette!” She greets me warmly with more of those sweet air kisses on both my cheeks. “This is my husband, Theo Markham.”
“Nice to meet you.” Theo gives me a once-over and turns to his wife. “You sold the purple dress?”
Victoria snorts into her glass of clear liquid on ice.
“Forgive my adorable husband. He’s a lieutenant in the fire department. He knows two colors. Red for the trucks and black for the smoke.”
“Isn’t smoke how you two met?” A man with golden-blond hair wearing a tux comes over with a very pregnant, very beautiful dark-haired woman on his arm. “Is this a private party?”
“You two have enough private parties,” Theo says wryly. “What is this, kid number five? I’ve lost track, and a few of them are my godkids.” He jokes to the couple who’ve joined us, but I have no idea who they are.
“Theo!” Victoria gasps. “He’s kidding, Bernadette. This is my brother, Carter, and his wife, Lily.”
“You look amazing,” I say to Lily, who issopregnant, she must be ready to pop.
“Thank you.” She holds her stomach. “Five times and I always forget how this late stage feels.”
“Lily was the original inspiration for my maternity line,” Victoria says.
After shaking hands with the beautiful couple, Carter says to his sister, “You finally sold the purple dress.”
“I have no excuse for this one.” Victoria rolls her eyes. “He’s Lily’s problem now.”
“She didn’t sell it to me,” I laugh. “She generously gave it to me. I’m a designer, too.”
“And she’s Ashton’s...” Victoria stops when my eyes go wide. “Friend.”
“I’m only in town for the month, and I agreed to be his date for whatever events he has scheduled.”
The more honest I am, I’m less likely to get caught in a lie.
“He’s a lucky man this month,” Lily says.
I feel overwhelmed at how nice everyone is, but I also feel alone since Ash is still working the room.
“If you’ll excuse me and Lily.” Carter takes his wife by the waist. “I have someone to schmooze for my own foundation.”
“Looking for me?” Sylvia Preston appears.
“Yes, as a matter of fact,” Carter admits proudly.
“I got your pitch. Call my assistant on Monday for an appointment and we’ll discuss the joint venture you’re dragging me into.” Her eyes stray my way. “Oh, hello, dear.”
“Hello, Mrs. Preston,” I say, and my chest goes tight because I’m Ash’s date, but I’m living with Ford.
Many of this inner circle know they were lovers. I wonder if she thinksthey’resharing me.
“Victoria, how is your mother?” Sylvia asks, and I hope I’m in the clear.
“Mom’s great,” Victoria boasts. “So fine, that she’s babysitting six kids right now.”
“Six?” I gasp.
“Those maniacs’ four and our two.” Theo hugs his wife, and the way he gently taps her stomach and kisses her neck, I bet they’re making good on private time, too.
