“Are you all right, Jenn?” Victoria called through the dressing room door.
“Fine,” Jennifer lied, her stomach aching from holding it in. Victoria had no idea the hell of the time she was having squeezing into the damn dress. If she did, she’d go ballistic. I’ve almost got it. Desperate to cram herself into the one-shoulder mesh gown, Jennifer sucked in her stomach, and while holding her breath, gave a violent yank to the zipper. Come on! Come on, you fucking bastard! Jennifer thought, her fingertips turning white. She couldn’t hold her breath much longer.
Rip!
The zipper popped at the same time the fabric tore, the sound of disaster assaulting her ears. Fuck! Fuck! Fuckfuckfuck! What the fuck am I going to do now?
“Are you sure you’re all right in there? It sounds as if you’re having a wrestling match.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m fine,” Jennifer huffed, her brow coated with a slick sheen of perspiration as she shimmed in the floor-length gown toward the full-length mirror hanging behind the door. She released a long, hopeless sigh and with a heavy heart, she willed herself to view her reflection. The gorgeous turquoise gown still appeared to be intact. Sleek and sexy with its lace inset stretched beneath her breast and around her hip, it was ultra-feminine and alluring. Absently, Jennifer ran her hand over the slight swell of her stomach. I’m not going to be able to hide you much longer.
An annoying girlish shrill of delight rang out from outside the dressing room, followed by the faint scuffling sound of footsteps stopping outside her door. “Come see.” Victoria rapped lightly on the closed door. “I have the dress on.”
“I’ll be right there.” Slowly, Jennifer shuffled her feet, rotating before the mirror. Peering over her shoulder, she dared to view her backside. Her hands flew in the air landing over her mouth as she stifled her gasp. A multitude of ragged threads lined the giant tear that ran along the side of the zipper. Oh my God. Victoria’s going to have a meltdown. The wedding is only a week away.
“Lindo!” Gabriella exclaimed in Portuguese. “Please, Victoria, come back in here. I need you to stand before the mirror so I can make a few minor adjustments.”
With her ear pressed to the door, Jennifer listened as the up-and-coming designer and bride oohed and ahhed over every little detail of the dress. What do I do? Victoria would surely freak out when she saw her. And Gabby—how would she react? This wedding was dubbed the event of the season. The locals had been buzzing about it for months. Several articles had been featured in the society pages speculating on the top-secret details of Henrique Santana and Victoria Hathaway’s upcoming nuptials. Especially, about the dress. Nobody knew who the designer was. Everyone was anxious for the reveal. Landing the Santana/Hathaway wedding was a huge deal and if everything went according to plan, would catapult Gabby’s career. And, as usual, she’d gone and ruined everything.
Think. Jennifer leaned against the mirror, her hand on top of her hammering heart. Panicking won’t help. Surely, Gabriella could fix this.
“Jenn?” Victoria called from the other side of the closed door. “What are you doing in there? What in the world is taking so long?”
Shoulders back, Jennifer braced herself and slowly turned the handle. This isn’t going to be pretty, she thought, forcing herself to step from the dressing room and into the hallway.
Jennifer peeked into Victoria’s dressing room, grinning as she watched her best friend pose before the three-way mirror. “What do you think?” she asked, looking positively radiant.
A tear spilled from the corner of Jennifer’s eye as she moved closer to Victoria. “You look stunning, Vicki. Henry is going to be speechless,” Jennifer answered, her voice cracking. “You’re the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.”
With a pin pinched between her glossy pale-pink lips, Gabriella fussed with the lace straps. She adjusted the straps tighter to Victoria’s shoulders while the soon-to-be bride smoothed her hands over the dress, swaying from side to side. “You really like it?”
“Of course, I do,” Jennifer answered. Form-fitting, with a multitude of pearls hand-sewn into a layer of Venice lace, across the bodice and torso, the stylish gown flared out mid-thigh, fitting Victoria like a glove. “It’s simple yet elegant. Totally classy and sophisticated, just like you, my friend.” Jennifer stepped closer to Victoria. “It’s a beautiful dress. And I absolutely love the detailing on the bodice.”
“Thank you,” Victoria gushed, throwing her arms around Jennifer to hug her tightly. “I can’t believe you’re crying.”
“It’s not every day your best friend gets married to the man of her dreams. But I’m warning you, if you tell anyone about this, you’re going to be in huge trouble, Victoria Hathaway. You too, Gabriella Sousa,” Jennifer added.
A lovely smile crossed Gabriella’s exquisite face. Graced with dark, almond-shaped eyes and olive-skinned perfection, the woman was simply breathtaking. Always flawlessly put together, Gabriella shook her head, her chestnut highlights shining atop long jet-black locks as her hair swept from side to side. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Do you think Henry will like it?” Victoria asked.
“Honey, you could wear a burlap sack and that man would be drooling. He loves you.” Jennifer smiled. “But that dress is going to give him a hard-on.”
“Jenn!” Victoria blushed, giggling profusely.
“Hey, I tell it like it is. The dress is hot and hugs your curves perfectly.”
“Foda-se!” Gabriella rushed toward Jennifer, seeming to have forgotten that she no longer lived in Portugal as she cursed in her native tongue.
Worry flickered in Victoria’s hazel eyes, her brow wrinkling. “What’s wrong?”
Wordlessly, Jennifer shot Victoria a distraught glance. I have to tell her.
“What happened to your gown?” Gabriella tsked, circling behind Jennifer as she surveyed the damage to the back of the gown.
“Let me see!” Victoria shrieked, scooting to stand behind Gabriella, and gasping as she took in the back of the dress.
“I’m sure it’s not nearly as bad as it appears,” Jennifer placated, feeling demoralized. “Gabby is a true genius with a needle and thread. I know she can fix it.”
Victoria’s mouth opened and closed as if she were a guppy. “How?” she sputtered. Her stricken expression reminding Jennifer of when she caught Brûlée red-handed walking on the kitchen counter. “Why did this happen?”
Why? Really, Vicki? That’s the best you can come up with? Jennifer glanced over at Gabriella, anxious for her support. Annoyance filled her as Gabriella stood with her mouth agape. Well, isn’t this just fucking fantastic. The two women gawked at her like she was some sort of savage. Jennifer shifted her weight. “Isn’t it obvious?” Jennifer snapped, tossing her arms out wide. “I gained weight.”
“Oh.” Disappointment showed on Victoria’s face, her lips turning down into a frown as she lowered herself onto the edge of her bed. “It’s hard to believe. I mean I know how much you watch your diet.”
“It couldn’t be helped.” Jennifer jutted her jaw, her hands planted on her hips. “I’m pregnant.”
Gabriella’s jaw dropped.
Victoria’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets “Pregnant?” she repeated. “You’re...you’re pregnant? Now? Before the wedding?”
“Yup...knocked up,” Jennifer answered, hardly recognizing the bridezilla her friend had unknowingly morphed into. “Bun in the oven. Prego. With child.” None of the names she’d recited sounded particularly exciting she realized as she waited for a response—any response. “It’s not like I planned it!” Jennifer threw her arms in the air, her frustration hitting the roof.
“Andre Jenkins is the father. Right?” Gabriella asked.
Jennifer glowered at her, a sinking feeling in her stomach. If Gabriella mentioned this to anyone and Rosalyn were to find out, she’d be doomed.
“Of course, Andre is the father,” Victoria said, rushing to Jennifer’s defense.
/> “I’m sorry if I offended. I didn’t mean to,” Gabriella explained. “It’s just that my parents have been friends with the Jenkins family for years and they faithfully attend the same church every week. I don’t recall them saying Mrs. Jenkins had told them you were expecting. But I’m sure she was thrilled to learn she’ll become a grandmother.”
“Oh, Jenn. You’re going to be a wonderful mom. I’m so happy for you.” Victoria hurled her body forward and flung her arms around Jennifer, squeezing her tight against her chest. “I’m sorry if I sounded selfish a moment ago. You surprised me, that’s all. Don’t worry about the dress. I’m sure Gabby will think of something.”
Jennifer rolled her eyes. “I certainly hope so.”
“Andre must be ecstatic. And we thought the dress was top secret,” Gabby laughed. “Looks like the two of you snowed us all.”
“Please.” Jennifer reached out, clasping Gabriella’s hands in hers. “Don’t say anything to anyone. Please,” she said nearing hysteria. “Andre doesn’t know yet.”
“What?” Victoria sputtered. “You haven’t told Andre?”
Jennifer shook her head. “I can’t.”
“Why not?” Victoria snapped.
“Because of that beast. You know how she’s single-handedly caused another clusterfuck.” Jennifer sucked in a deep breath, trying to calm her thundering heart. “Andre and I are working everything out with the lawyer. Once we’re assured that Andre will continue to have joint custody, then I’ll tell him about the baby.”
Victoria rolled her eyes, her arms flailing into the air. “He’s been living with you for weeks, Jenn. How in the world have you not told him?”
“I told you,” Jennifer gritted out, her hands fisted at her sides. “With all of Rosalyn’s shit, I haven’t found the right time.”
Victoria shot her an incredulous look. “You’ve got to be kidding,” Victoria said sounding utterly exasperated. “Don’t you think the fact that you’re having a baby is a reason to celebrate? It’s just what Andre needs to lighten his burden. Now is the right time.”
“Maybe now isn’t the best time to be discussing this,” Gabby said, garnering their attention as Victoria and Jennifer each swiveled their heads toward her, apparently surprised by her interruption.
“Too late,” Jennifer said. “We already are.”
“You’re living with the father of your unborn child. A man that loves you more than life itself and you’ve not found the right time.” Victoria started to pace. “You’ve done some nutso things, Jenn. But this...” She shook her head. “Leaving Andre in the dark—that’s just plain crazy.”
Jennifer’s heart squeezed. Victoria’s words were like a dagger plunged into her chest. Her friend was right, of course. She needed to tell him. “I just want it to be special,” Jennifer blurted, her voice low. “I don’t want our baby to be a burden. Right now, Andre is dealing with a shitload of drama. A baby only adds to that.”
“Andre loves you,” Victoria said, placing an arm around Jennifer’s shoulder. “Don’t sell him short.”
Known to be outspoken, Gabriella piped in. “Full disclosure: I can’t stand Rosalyn Spears. Unfortunately, I’ve had dealings with her in the past. But I avoid her like the plague.”
Relief poured over Jennifer. “So you’re not going to tell her?”
“Absolutely not,” Gabriella stated. “You don’t have to worry about me. I won’t breathe a word about your being pregnant.”
“That’s one less thing to worry about. Thanks, Gabby. However, Jenn’s going to tell Andre soon,” she said, glaring at Jennifer. “Right?”
“Yup,” Jennifer said.
Gabby flashed a devious smile. “You know, there’s a sick satisfaction in knowing that I’ll have the opportunity to watch karma play out. I bet you didn’t know Rosalyn tried to steal one of my designs and then pass it off as hers. She didn’t quit college; she got kicked out. That’s why she’s working at The Gilded Seashell now. No design school will accept her and without that, no self-respecting designer will hire her. It’s amazing how fast gossip spreads. Word has it, she can’t even get an interview to show her model portfolio.”
“Maybe karma does exist,” Jennifer said hopefully. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful to watch karma put Rosalyn in her place before the court date next month? Otherwise, I don’t think that anything or anyone will stop Rosalyn from trying to destroy us.”
“Gabby weaved her arm through Jennifer’s, pulling her gently toward the mirror. She lowered her voice, leaning toward Jennifer in a conspiratorial whisper, “It’s going to be a shitload of fun watching the bitch hang herself.” Tugging on the gaping zipper, Gabby examined the rip. “Now let me think of something I can do that will fix this.”
Chapter 44
Jennifer
“This is so humiliating,” Jennifer said the following evening. She held her breath, sucking in her stomach as Gabby zipped up the back of the bridesmaid dress.
“You can breathe now and don’t be silly.” Gabby furrowed her brow, assessing her handiwork. “Bridal shops deal with all kinds of changes all the time. It’s just the way it is.”
Blowing the air out, Jennifer placed her hands on her hips. “Easy for you to say. You aren’t the one being swaddled.
“Have you got it on?” Victoria called from the staircase.
“Yup,” Jennifer bellowed back.
Always the klutz, Victoria tripped over the slight ledge in the doorway in her haste to see Jennifer. The three bottled waters she’d brought up from the kitchen flew up into the air as Victoria’s arms flailed trying to catch them. As she regained her footing, the bottles thumped against the carpet.
“Way to make an entrance.” Jennifer smirked.
“Bravo!” Gabby clapped her hands.
“Forget walking down the aisle, Vicki,” Jennifer teased, flashing a wicked smile in Gabby’s direction. Much to her credit, Gabby bit her lip and lowered to her knees to occupy herself with the contents of her sewing bag. “It would be much more entertaining if you did something like that instead.”
“Not funny, Jenn.” Victoria bent over to pick up one of the bottles and lost her balance, tipping briefly to the side. “Shut. Up,” Vicki spat as she righted herself. Both Gabby and Jennifer burst out laughing as Victoria pouted up at them. “The two of you should be ashamed of yourself. I was being nice when I left to get both of you some water. And what happens? You laugh at me.” A bottle in each hand, Victoria’s lip twitched as she thrust the water toward each of them. “Enjoy it.”
Her hand atop her stomach, Jennifer hunched over in a much needed full-out belly laugh. Beside her, Gabby sounded like a hyena as her shrill laugher echoed throughout the room, while Victoria sat sprawled across the floor, resting her weight on her elbows as she roared with laughter.
Jennifer shook her head, gasping as she admitted, “Being pregnant has sure fucked with my emotions.”
“I’ve heard that,” Gabby managed to wheeze.
“Half the time I’m a complete wreck. The rest of the time I’m a horny bitch.”
“Oh my God.” Gabby placed her hand over her mouth. “You two are a trip.”
“I’m warning both of you because nobody ever warned me that pregnancy messed with your head,” Jennifer said.
Victoria sat up, her legs folded together and her hands on her lap. “It makes sense. Your body is changing.”
“One of the many joys of being pregnant.” Jennifer rolled her eyes. “Lucky me.”
Chapter 45
Andre
The next afternoon, a shiny black Porsche Cayenne pulled up to the entrance of the Newport Police Station. From the passenger’s side window, Andre saw Victoria wave behind the glass. Henrique smiled from his position behind the driver’s seat. Andre smiled, depositing his half-empty coffee into the nearby trash receptacle, and exited the building.
“Does she suspect anything?” Victoria whispered as Andre opened the Porsche’s back door.
Andre sho
ok his head as he lowered onto the leather seat. “No. She thinks I’m on duty. I told her I was working until ten.”
“I almost slipped last night while Gabby was at the house doing alterations,” Victoria continued in a whisper, twisting her torso to look over her shoulder at him.
“Goldilocks—” Henrique said. “You don’t have to whisper. Jennifer isn’t here.”
“It’s a covert operation.” Andre chuckled. “By the way, thanks for letting me borrow your fiancée, Henry.”
“Um...I have a say in this too, Andre,” Victoria quickly corrected. “Just so you know, Henry doesn’t let me do anything. I’m an independent woman.”
“Of course not,” Andre said, not about to broach that subject. It was true, both Victoria and Jennifer were strong and successful businesswomen. Regardless, the fact remained—he was a cop and Henrique...well, he was an alpha male through and through. It was their nature to protect and provide for the women they loved. Just the same, both Andre and Henrique knew better than to ever try to dictate to them.
“I’m going to pull over in front of Sousa’s Jewelers,” Henry said, changing the subject as they neared the sidewalk on the short drive downtown. “I’ll catch up in a few minutes. I can’t park this baby just anywhere.” Victoria rolled her eyes and stepped out onto the busy sidewalk. “Victoria,” Henry said. “Don’t hold back. Make sure he buys the biggest, most flawless diamond you’ve ever seen.”
“Nice,” Andre teased. “Real nice. It’s easy to say that when you’re not the one footing the bill.”
“Will do,” Victoria giggled, blowing a kiss. “See you in a few,” she said, turning to Andre. “Ready?”
“I was born ready. Look. I managed to swipe this from Jenn’s jewelry case while she was in the shower.” Andre pulled the ring he’d given to Jennifer years ago from his pocket, rolling it around between his fingertips. “Jenn definitely deserves something a bit more glamorous than this. Let’s spend some money, girl.”
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