Here Comes My Woman: Book Three (The Woman I Love Series 3)

by G S Binkley

  With a dismissive wave, Julie welcomed another member to the party. “Bring her along.”

  “Okay. Thanks.”

  Sipping on her water, Lacy nearly choked. “Shanti, don’t let her bring her own….” With a quick glance to Gage, Lacy finished. “….stripper.”

  Green eyes popped open and Gage squeaked. “Stripper?”

  Julie started to count on her fingers. “If she does, then we’ll have… what? You, me, Shanti and her aunt, a couple of my friends, some of the girls who worked on the movie and the…. stripper and….”

  “Stripper?” Gage still couldn’t get over this idea as Lacy assured her it was going to be a quiet affair.

  “Great, Julie. Why don’t you just invite everyone?” Lacy admonished her friend for what she hoped to be a small pre-wedding party that was now turning into a free for all.

  “I did.” Julie’s guilt ridden eyes squinted. “Griff’s coming, too.”

  Shocked blue eyes turned to Julie. “Griff?”

  “Griff? Who cares about her? What about this stripper?” Gage insisted on an answer, wondering just who this stripper was.

  Her question was answered when Marva wandered back to the small group with a handsome man on her arm. Twirling the well-built actor, Ben Thomason around, Marva asked. “Girls, isn’t he a lovely specimen?”

  ************************

  “Does Stella have the telephone numbers where we can be reached?” Lacy clipped an earring on.

  “She has our cell phone numbers.” Gage mumbled as she walked around the bed and flopped down.

  Dropping both arms to her side, Lacy sighed. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” Gage dropped back on the bed. “Dani’s still up and wants to see you before you leave. The boys are asleep already.”

  Lacy sat down next to her partner. “Did you give her Mark and Julie’s numbers…..”

  “Yes! Stella’s has all the numbers to reach us.”

  Lacy chewed a moment on her lower lip in contemplation of how to approach her frustrated lover. “Why don’t you stop by later? After your party gets going.”

  Swinging doubtful eyes toward Lacy, Gage continued to pout.

  “Sweetheart, I don’t like it either….”

  “I wish we’d of had the foresight to have these parties in the same hotel instead of clear across town.”

  Rubbing her lover’s arm, Lacy laid down next to Gage. “We can stay home you know.”

  Gage turned toward her partner. “We can’t.” The blonde raised her arm and Lacy planted her head on Gage’s shoulder. “I want you to have a good time but not…”

  “Too good of a time. Right?” Lacy finished her partner’s sentence.

  Rolling her eyes, Gage smiled. “Yeah, right. Do you really think Marva will…”

  “Who knows with her. Gage, sweetheart….” Lacy kissed her lover reassuring Gage of the love they had between each other. “….she could bring a million strippers…whoever and no one could divert my attention away from you.”

  “Really?”

  “Really.”

  Turning on her side, Gage pulled Lacy closer. “It’s not that… I mean, I’m not worried about no stripper…. Ben is kinda good looking and he’s a nice guy, too. It’s just that you’re going to have so much more fun at your party then at the one for Mark. I’d rather be with you.”

  “You think I want you around all those men.” Lacy’s blue eyes flared, carrying on a hint of jealous in them.

  “It’s just me and Mark, Griffen…..”

  “We have our own Griffen to contend with at our party.” Lacy remembered that unpleasant thought.

  “…. Boyd. You don’t have one of those. I don’t know how he garnished an invitation from Mark as it is.”

  “We don’t want one either.” Not having to work with Boyd Dietrich anymore was a blessing in disguise and both Gage and Lacy vowed never to work with him again.

  “Ryan’s a plus though and Michael.” Gage looked at Lacy. “You think he’s okay after last night?”

  “I don’t know. I talked with Ryan before we left the party. He’s very concerned about him. He’s never seen him drink that much before. Who else is supposed to be there?”

  “Some people from his office… his VP and a few others like that. Oh, and Dash Grayson. Mark’s brother-in-law.” Gage concluded the list of invitees to Mark’s bachelor party.

  “That’s right, his wife, Alexis is going to be at Julie’s party.” Lacy kissed Gage before she got up. “I’ll go see Dani and you make sure Stella has everything she needs. Okay?”

  “Okay.” After Lacy stepped out the door, Gage reached for the telephone. “I’ll just call Julie. A pregnant woman shouldn’t be getting all excited with a stripper there. After all, it’s not good for her health.”

  “For yours either.” Gage jumped off the bed and dropped the phone before she looked up to see Stella standing in the doorway. “Lacy, said you wanted to see me.”

  Quickly hanging up the phone, Gage stilled her startled heart. “Yes…. you have the numbers to reach us and…”

  Stella walked across the floor as Gage waited like a kid in trouble from a mother who was about to scold her. “She loves you, Gage. You’ve nothing to worry about….. not with that one.”

  As uncomfortable as Gage was sometimes around the children’s nanny, she easily revealed her feelings. “I keep asking why.”

  “And?”

  “And… I don’t have an answer. Why she wants me? How I got so lucky with her… the kids? All the questions that plagued my life before Lacy… questions like…. would anyone want me or why am I so unlucky in….. never mind.”

  “You’ve always deserved the very best.” Stella’s caring green eyes looked fondly on the blonde sitting next to her.

  “Yeah, well…….” Feeling very reflective, Gage pried loose tightly held emotions. “Stella…. I’m sorry. You’ve been great with the kids and I know I’ve treated you sorta, well, bad at times.”

  “Nonsense. You wanted to make sure I was good for your children and you had every right to be wary of anyone that comes into your household.” Stella tried desperately to ward off Gage’s self-doubting and feelings of remorse.

  “No, it wasn’t right. Lacy tried to make me understand.” Sucking a very deep breath, Gage traversed beyond her comfort zone with her next words. “And…. and, thank you for helping me years ago. You know, with my stuttering….. it changed my life. Without you……..”

  Wrapping an arm around the blonde, Stella basked in the feeling that drove wave after wave of contentment and satisfaction throughout her body. “I should have told you I was leaving when you were being adopted. I didn’t know it fell through or I would have been there for you. There’s so many things I should have done differently.” Unshed tears filled her eyes as she desperately clung to the blonde.

  It was strange but Gage found comfort in this woman’s arms.

  ************************

  “Mom? I don’t suppose I could go with you?”

  “Nope.” Lacy tucked her twelve year old daughter in bed. “We won’t be out late.”

  Dani pouted. “I’m not having any fun this trip. Christmas in England is nice, I guess, but I miss my friends at school. Too bad Jonathan couldn’t come with us.” Dani was referring to her cousin who was near her age.

  “Denny and Crystal wanted him to spend Christmas with them. When we get back, we’re going to have a Christmas at your grandparents. So, you’ll have two of them. Why are you complaining anyway? Mark’s grandfather can’t travel for the wedding. Do you want to stay with your grandparents?”

  “No.” Dani shifted under the covers. “Everybody there is going to be either way older than me or lots younger.”

  Leaning down to kiss her daughter on the cheek, Lacy corrected her. “That’s not true. Julie’s daughter Jessie will be there. Mark’s brother-in-law has a son. I think he’s around your age. He’ll be there for the wedding.”

  Th
e young girl perked up. “Do you think he’s cute?”

  “Well, I’ve met his parents a couple of times and they’re both very nice looking.”

  Dani snuggled further under the blankets as her mind drifted to thoughts of what this young boy looked like. Her thoughts only lasted a few moments on that subject as she remembered the very cute yet bothersome boy from school that always picked on her. You can’t count on how cute they are. “Mom? Do you think he’s nice?”

  “I’m sure he is.”

  “I hope so.” The young dark haired girl turned on her side and said out loud to herself. “He better not be obnoxious.”

  “Oh, get to sleep, Dani and don’t worry about it. Tomorrow we’ll go see all the Christmas decorations in the city, okay?”

  Dani nodded before falling off to sleep. Her night’s dream would be filled with visions of the boy she detested.

  Chapter Twenty

  Julie’s pre-wedding party was quite subdued considering Ben refused to come to the party as Marva’s stripper escort. Shanti was much relieved since she really liked Ben as a friend. Her thoughts would often wander to another young man she met on the set of Lacy’s movie. Maybe I can talk with Lacy about it. When her eyes roamed the room for the person in question, she saw Lacy engaged in a conversation with Julie and another woman with light hair.

  “Alexis, it’s nice to see you again.” Lacy said.

  “Please call me Lexi.”

  Julie waved over another guest who had just entered. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

  “How’s Gage? And, your children?” Lexi asked.

  After taking a drink of her water, Lacy stepped back toward the couch. “Let me sit down a minute. Okay?” Lexi joined her on the couch. “Gage is hosting Mark’s party and she’s doing great. The kids are, too. You have a son…ahh…”

  “Lane.”

  “I think you told me he’s thirteen?”

  Lexi sipped on her wine. “Not quite.”

  “Good. Dani will be glad. She’s worried about having someone her age to talk with. She’s twelve now and her younger brothers who are six and two….. well, it will be nice to have someone she can talk to.” Lacy leaned back against the couch trying to get comfortable.

  “You okay?” Lacy nodded. “I remember being pregnant…. the last two months were misery. I could never get comfortable no matter what I did.”

  Stretching her neck, Lacy rubbed it. “It’s not that bad yet. Having Gage… we were together when I was pregnant with Sammy. There couldn’t be another person as devoted and caring as she was then and now. As a matter of fact, I wish she was here. My neck and shoulders are killing me.”

  “Do you want me to…”

  “No. Thank you.” Lacy shifted on the couch finally settling down. “I probably won’t stay long. Besides, I’m going to pick up Gage at Mark’s party later.”

  Lexi scanned the docile room full of people. “Do you think they’re having as much fun as we are?”

  “Probably.”

  ***********************

  “Probably.” Gage answered Mark’s question when he asked if the group at Julie’s party was having as much fun as they were at his bachelor’s party.

  “Then they’re just as bored as we are, huh?” Mark laughed.

  “You know, Mark. We should have had both parties together. I miss her.” Gage sighed.

  “Me, too. Julie that is.” Mark suddenly remembered the extra drink in his hand. “Oh, here.”

  Shaking her head, Gage took the alcoholic drink but sat it on the nearby end table. “I’m abstaining.”

  “What about at my wedding? You’re supposed to make the toast.” Mark argued.

  Gage rolled her eyes. “Is there a requirement that I have to have an alcohol drink along with it?”

  Sipping his wine glass, Mark nodded. “Nope.”

  Turning serious, Gage asked. “You sure you want me to, you know, instead of your brother-in-law?”

  “Dash? No, you’re my best… person.” Mark winked at his friend. “Works out since Lacy is standing up for Julie and Dash and Lexi are going to be up there with us, too.”

  “He’s nice. I like him.”

  Mark noticed Ron Griffen across the room trying to get his attention. “Yeah, Dash had his problems though and…. I’m just glad they’re settling back in St. Troy. He needs stability in his life at the moment and Lexi provides that for him.”

  “What about Chance?” Gage referred to Mark’s longtime assistant. Ever since they found out that Dash Grayson was alive instead of presumably being dead for many years, Chance had dutifully remained by his former employer’s side.

  “He’s staying with Dash as it should be. Tonight he’s home with Lane who’s sick.” Mark filled his friend in regarding Chance Mallicoat.

  When a wobbling Boyd passed by, Gage rolled her eyes. “Why in the world did you invite him?”

  “That’s easy. You see who he’s been talking with all evening?”

  Gage shook her head knowingly and replied. “Griffen.”

  “Exactly. Keeps both of them out of trouble and I don’t have to spend all my time catering to either of them.” Spotting the entrance of another guest, Mark excused himself.

  Gage looked around the room at Michael and Ryan talking quietly then shifted her eyes to another group of people that worked for Mark at his company. Placing an elbow on the arm of her chair, the blonde leaned sideways. Her head flopped to the left, spying a glimpse of a very familiar person. Several people moved in front of Gage so she twisted around and scooted over the arm of her chair trying to see Mark’s new guest. Jacking a knee up under her, Gage edged out further over the arm of the chair trying to see past Boyd and Griffen as they shifted in her direct line of sight.

  “Gage?”

  The unexpected sound of her name made her jerk causing her to precariously dangle over the arm’s edge. Frozen in time for what seemed like an eternity, she saw Mark’s legs along with another set move toward her. Desperately trying to right herself, Gage sucked in a balancing breath and fell forward over the edge of the chair’s arm slamming onto the floor.

  “Hey! You okay?” Ryan cupped a hand under her arm. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  Flustered, Gage looked up past Mark to the stranger who grinned from ear to ear at her. “Still clumsy, I see. As I recall you fell for me once before.”

  Gage’s eyelids slammed closed praying that it was all a bad dream. God… I can’t believe this is happening. Opening her eyes slowly, Gage was lifted off the floor by Ryan.

  “You…. know each other?” Mark asked.

  Mitchell Stone stepped forward and took Gage’s hand. Cupping it with his other hand, he held it and rubbed it gently. “Hello Gage.” Mitch kissed her on the cheek as the Ryan and Mark stood by stunned at the intimate display before them.

  Recovering, Gage greeted her old friend. “Mitch. How are you? I didn’t know you knew Mark.”

  “I didn’t know you knew Mark either.” Mitch countered.

  Not waiting for Mark to introduce him, Ryan extended his hand to the tall handsome man holding onto Gage’s hand. “I’m Ryan White and you are…….”

  Reluctantly, Mitch shook Ryan’s hand. “Mitchell Stone.”

  “He’s my VP here in New York.” Mark added.

  Recapturing Gage’s hand, Mitch gazed into her shell shocked green eyes and said. “I’m an old and good, very good friend of Gage here.”

  All the blonde could do was nod since she was caught in a vortex of memories that flooded her mind as she stared into the dark blue eyes of her six-foot friend and ex-lover.

  ************************

  “What did Shanti want?” Julie quizzed her friend.

  Lacy astutely revealed only a few nuggets of the conversation she had with the young actress. “She’s interested in making some documentaries and…. finding a partner in the process.” Lacy’s blue eyes followed Shanti across the room where the young woman met up with her rival and suitor.
What a volatile trio. I wonder if Ryan knows anything about this.

  Lexi brought Lacy out of her musings when she announced. “Dash is here and since our son isn’t feeling well I better get going.”

  “Lexi, if he’s feeling any better in the morning why don’t you join us. Gage and I are taking the kids around the city tomorrow with all the Christmas decorations and lights… I promised them we would before we left.”

  Dash Grayson stepped behind his wife and wrapped an arm over her shoulder. “Thank you….” After checking with his wife, he agreed to the invitation. “If he’s feeling better, we’ll give you a call.” The small chuckled Dash expelled demanded the three women’s attention. “Oh, I’m sorry…. it’s…. our son might not be the only one not feeling well tomorrow. That’s all.”

  “Why do you say that Dash?” Julie inquired.

  He stole a hurried glance toward Lacy. “Maybe I shouldn’t say anything… Gage seems to be having a…. very good time at Mark’s party.”

  A cocked eyebrow shot up. “Really?” A surge of unexpected jealousy shook the dark haired woman’s body for one brief moment. Unnoticeable to the rest, Lacy took stock of her emotions then added. “That’s nice. I’m glad she’s having a good time.”

  After Lexi and Dash left, Lacy made a beeline for her coat. “Julie, we’ll talk tomorrow. Oh, when are you leaving for England?”

  “Tomorrow. Mark has some things to take care of.” She helped Lacy on with her coat. “Lacy, I’m sure everything is fine over there.”

  “Oh, I know. I trust her.” Lacy realized she said that pestering thought out loud.

  Walking her friend to the door, Julie asked. “Do you need a ride?”

  “I’ve got a car waiting.”

  When Lacy turned to leave, Julie caught her arm. Giving one last look around the room, she saw Marva DuLaine playing hostess to a very attentive crowd. “I’ll go with you. No one here’s going to miss me.”

  *************************

  Ryan nudged his producing friend. “You ever see her like this?”