Indy unzipped the bag. Inside, a glittery, copper-colored gown shimmered in the evening light.
“It’s sleeveless,” Griffin continued. “You’re always hot these days and there’s going to be a lot of people here, so I think you’ll be comfortable.”
“It’s beautiful.” She zipped up the bag and kissed him. She didn’t have the guts to tell him she wouldn’t be attending the party.
Kendra’s words rang in her head. Reporters would have a field day, especially since she’d already been pictured with him months ago, looking thin and available. She had a plan in place: she was tired and needed to work on her project. But now, seeing this beautiful dress and the look of excitement on his face . . . maybe she could show up at the very beginning of the party before too many people arrived and then duck out, claiming to be too tired.
If he knew her real reason, he’d be angry and probably buy the front page to declare them a couple.
He pulled away and studied her face. “Something wrong?”
“No. I’m tired.”
“Everything go okay with Kendra today?”
“I guess. Why? Did she say something?”
His eyes narrowed. “No. She’s suspiciously closed-mouthed except for laying out specific details for the party.”
“Well, I try to stay out of the way, so we don’t interact much.”
“Did she say something to you?”
“Like?” Indy knew where he was going, and she couldn’t let him know. She scrambled for something to throw at him.
He shrugged.
“Have you slept with her?”
“What?” His face fell in alarm. “Did she tell you that?”
Good. She grabbed it and ran. Let the crazy pregnancy hormones do their job. “No. Just a feeling. She seems a little possessive of you.”
He stepped forward, wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her head. “There is absolutely nothing going on, and nothing ever has.”
“I didn’t ask if you were sleeping with her now,” Indy added. She kept enough question in her voice to sound jealous and insecure. She hoped she could sell it.
“I’ve never been involved with Kendra, and I’ve never even gotten the hint she’d want to. She works for me and we keep it professional.” His lips moved down the side of her neck.
Her pulse kicked up a notch. She had no lingering doubts about his attraction to her. Regardless of how fat and Shrek-like she felt, Griffin made her feel like her former self. Even when they weren’t having sex, he touched her. Often. “I remember what happened when I tried to keep it professional between us.”
“You’re different. What’s on the agenda for tonight?”
“Mmm . . .” She tried to pull her focus from his lips on her earlobe. “Homework.”
He grunted. “When are you done with school?”
“Summer.”
His hand rubbed her belly. He whispered in her ear, “Then we’ll have a newborn to contend with. Can I talk you into dropping out of school?”
“No.” She shoved his shoulder. “This is important to me.”
“I was kidding. I miss you when you’re in school or holed up in your room working.” He tugged her close. “What’s for dinner?”
She shrugged. “Leftovers.”
They walked to the kitchen, and she wondered if this would be the rest of her life. She’d accused Kate of living in Leave It to Beaver–land. Would it be enough for her?
Griffin thought of Indy. For the last few days she’d been distant. No matter how he’d tried to pull the problem from her, she glossed over it. She claimed fatigue. Although she appeared genuinely tired, something else that he couldn’t quite read stirred.
She hadn’t mentioned marriage or his proposal, so he hadn’t either, but she wore his ring. He wanted to make it real and permanent. Looking at her, he knew they could build a life and have a family like the O’Learys.
He moved among the catering staff and around ice sculptures. His home didn’t feel much like his tonight. After dressing in his tuxedo, he looked for Indy. The thought of her in the dress he bought gave him an instant hard-on. Mostly he pictured the flimsy material pooled at her feet.
When he found her sitting at her desk in sweats and sketching in her notebook, it surprised him. “Shouldn’t you be getting ready? Guests will arriving start soon.”
She rose from behind the desk. “I’m trying to get this project done and I finally got something working here. I totally lost track of time.”
“But you are coming, right?” She had to come. She had to know how important she was.
She fidgeted under his gaze. “It’s not like you need me there. Kendra will keep you busy shaking hands all night.”
Kendra. He’d known something had happened between them. “This is important to me. I want you at my side.”
“I don’t want to go because I know how vital this is.”
Her words snapped out and he could almost see her try to reach out and grab them back.
“What do you mean? The two most important things in my life are you and the foundation. We’re officially unveiling the program tonight. I need you there. What did Kendra say to scare you off?”
Her eyes shifted. “She didn’t say anything.”
“You’re lying.”
She tilted her head up. “I must need practice. She didn’t say anything surprising. She accused me of being after your money. And of you using me to erase the memory of Selena.”
His muscles flinched. Indy reached out and smoothed her palm against his cheek.
“It didn’t bother me. Everyone will think I’m after your money. What people say about me is meaningless.”
He wished she believed her own words. Then he understood her full meaning. She worried about what people would say about him. “I’m not using you to fix what I did with Selena. I’m not ashamed to be seen with you.”
“I know you’re not. But right now is not the time to piss off people who could be supporters of your program by flaunting your disregard for morality. Living in sin with a woman who’s knocked up with a bastard. We both look incredibly irresponsible. Not the picture of someone most people want to entrust their children to.”
He cupped her face in his hands. He had to learn to never underestimate the woman’s instincts and intelligence. He saw no sadness or regret in her eyes, only honesty. “I don’t care what they say. I love you.”
She smiled a gentle smile that hinted at something more. A smile that made him want to devour her mouth. He kissed her.
She pulled away and said softly, “I love you too.”
His heart swelled. He’d known she loved him. He saw it every time she looked at him, every time she responded to his touch, every time she spoke his name. Hearing her say it created a renewed need in him. A need to make her his. He pulled the ring from her right hand and slid it on the left. “Our baby is not a bastard.”
He kissed her cheek and turned to go. “Get ready. I’ll be waiting downstairs.”
“Hey,” she called.
When he faced her, he saw her twist the ring on her finger.
“Are you going to tell me the name of this program or is it always going to be called the program?”
“It’s named Project Independence.” He closed her door behind him and headed downstairs. Indy’s acceptance of his ring loosened every taut nerve in his body.
If he had his choice, they’d be married within a week.
Chapter 20
Indy paced her room. Her project had taken the one successful turn she’d needed and was almost complete. The music from the party floated up the stairs. From her window, she’d watched guests arrive by limo or town car. Having the party in a residential neighborhood must’ve caused a stir, because very few people drove and parked their own cars.
Unless that was the norm for Griffin. Maybe he only knew the super-rich.
Then she thought of the O’Learys and KD’s Diner. No, he never got too far from his roots. She twirled t
he ring on her left hand again. He expected her to marry him. He called the baby “our baby.”
Nerves fluttered in her stomach, and she rubbed the huge protrusion that had become her body. The dress that Griffin bought her looked better on her than she had imagined. She glanced in the mirror one last time and headed for the door.
When she reached the top of the stairs, she saw people milling around and Griffin standing near the front door greeting others as they entered. Then he turned to face her as if he’d known she was there. The serious expression on his face faded and a broad, dimpled smile replaced it. His eyes scanned the length of her, and she took the steps toward him. His gaze heated her from scalp to toe.
At the bottom of the stairs, he reached for her hand and leaned in to kiss her cheek. “Thank you for coming. You look gorgeous.”
Flustered by his words, she had no quick comeback. “Thanks.”
“Come on. I want to introduce you to some people.”
Her grip on his hand tightened. So much for her quick appearance and departure.
Griffin called out to a man, “Ron, I want you to meet my fiancée, Indy.”
Indy froze. She didn’t hear the rest of the introduction and had no idea who the man was who stood in front of her. She pasted on her friendly smile, but she felt Kendra’s scorching stare poke at her from next to Ron.
Indy tried not to fidget or hide her left hand. This was not going to go well.
“So Griffin tells me that you decorated the house.”
“Yes, I did,” Indy answered.
“Care to give me a tour?”
She released Griffin’s hand. “Certainly.” She squeezed between Griffin and Kendra to take Ron’s offered elbow.
Indy became comfortable as she talked about the design. During their tour, she discovered that Ron was a lawyer and politician who wanted to donate to Griffin’s foundation. She tried to be as charming as possible.
With the tour complete, they headed back into the living room, and Indy was surprised to see Kate standing with a glass of champagne in hand. Kate smiled at Indy and then looked at Ron.
“Kate?” he asked. “I didn’t know you’d be here. How have you been?”
Kate leaned her cheek forward for a kiss. “Good, and you?”
Indy’s gaze darted back and forth.
Kate said, “Ron and I worked together for a few years.”
“Oh, I’ll let you catch up then.” She turned to leave and nearly bumped into Kendra. Not surprising, since she nearly bumped into everything these days.
Indy nodded her head and said simply, “Kendra.”
But Kendra tugged her arm. “I’d like a word.”
Indy yanked discreetly from the woman’s grasp but followed her lead.
“How dare you show up to try to steal this night from him?”
“I’m here because Griffin wants me here. I’m not stealing anything.” Indy walked away, hoping Kendra wouldn’t follow.
Her stomach muscles tightened. She hadn’t felt like that in a while, since she hadn’t been upset about much lately. She caressed her belly and tried to soothe the baby. She walked the room again, hoping the motion would relax him. The room was filling rapidly and the warm stuffiness was getting to her.
Although she wouldn’t let Kendra drive her from the party, Indy really wasn’t feeling well. She scanned the room for Griffin but couldn’t find him in the crowd.
Then suddenly he was at her back, wrapping his arms around her. “How are you?”
She placed her hands over his on her belly. “Actually, not too good. I’m tired and icky.”
His laugh rumbled against her back. “Icky? Is that an official description?”
“I don’t know about official, but it works. Would you be okay if I went to bed?”
He walked around to study her face. “You’re really not looking good. Are you sure you’re okay?”
She patted his chest. “Yeah. Nothing a little more sleep won’t fix.”
“Good night.” He kissed her cheek.
“Take good notes and wake me when the party’s over. I want all the details.”
He smiled, and she went upstairs without anyone taking notice. She took the stairs slowly, the muscles in her stomach tight and uncomfortable.
She paced for another ten minutes, but her muscles hadn’t loosened and now her back ached. She stopped pacing and went to the bathroom and stripped. Maybe a warm shower would help.
After lingering in the shower, she still felt like crap. She redressed in her sweats and lay on the bed. Sharp pain started in her lower back and shot around her pelvic bone. She sucked in a sharp breath and eased onto her side. She finally thought she’d found a comfortable position. Then it happened again.
The pain arrowed through her and she gripped the bedspread.
Something’s wrong.
Panic seized her heart while cramps clamped her abdomen. Sounds from the party filtered through the pain. She couldn’t go back downstairs. Hell, she wasn’t sure she’d make it if she tried.
Kate. Kate was at the party. She fumbled with her phone to call Kate.
“Hey, where are you? You’re missing a great party.”
“Come upstairs. Something’s wrong.” Indy gritted her teeth against the pain.
“I’m coming.”
Moments later, Kate stood beside the bed and pressed her cool hand against Indy’s forehead. “What’s wrong?”
“It hurts, Kate. God, it hurts so bad.”
“You might be in labor.”
“No. It’s too early. I expected you to come up here and tell me it’s in my head. That it’s false labor.” God, this can’t be happening. Not now. Not tonight.
“I’ve never had false labor. Only the real deal. We need to get you to the hospital. Do you want me to call an ambulance?”
She thought of the party. Of Griffin’s foundation. Even without being there, she managed to screw it up. Tears gathered on her lashes. “No. But get Griffin.”
Fingers grabbed his elbow, and Griffin turned to see who needed his attention now. As he turned, Kate took the drink from his hand. She leaned close to his ear. “Indy’s in labor. She needs to go to the hospital.”
If Kate hadn’t taken the glass from his hand, it would’ve shattered on the floor. He suddenly felt boneless. It was too early. They had weeks to prepare.
They weren’t ready.
He wasn’t ready.
Kate pulled on his elbow. “Don’t make a scene. Go to the kitchen. I’ll get her down the back stairs.”
He moved at her direction. Plastering a smile on his face, he wove through the crowd and fought the panic clawing at him.
When he entered the kitchen he walked straight to the back stairs. Kate had an arm around Indy as they eased down the steps. Indy was pale, and her eyes were filled with fear.
“Shouldn’t we call an ambulance?”
Indy smiled. “No. Kate will get me to the hospital. This is probably a trial run. I’ll get there and they’ll tell me I have gas.”
Kate shook her head.
“Let’s go.” He reached for her.
“Kate will take me. Finish—”
“Shut up. If you think I’m sending you to the hospital alone, you’re crazy.” He took her hand, and she squeezed tightly. The fear in her eyes eased a little. Had she thought he’d stay at a party instead of taking care of her?
Indy walked incredibly slow. They had to stop once on the trek to the car because she nearly doubled over in pain. Fear gripped him. Sweat trickled down his back, and he wiped his palms on his pants.
Labor was natural. Women did this all the time.
Why didn’t anyone tell him how scary it was to watch the woman you love in pain?
They raced to the hospital in silence, except for Indy’s pants and grunts. He tried to focus and come up with something soothing to tell her, but he had nothing. Driving without crashing took every bit of his attention.
Once at the hospital, everything blu
rred.
If the moments in the kitchen were slow motion, the hospital was all fast forward.
He felt totally helpless. Her doctor arrived shortly after they stuck Indy in a room. He remembered her from the last time Indy had complications.
“What’s wrong?” Indy demanded. “What’s wrong with the baby?”
“Shh.” She patted Indy’s leg. “The baby seems fine. Heartbeat is strong.”
“It’s too early.”
“We’re giving you some medication to try to stop the labor. But if the baby’s ready, he or she is coming. You’ve said all along my dates were wrong.”
Tears ran down Indy’s cheeks. Griffin didn’t know what to do. What to say. He held her hand.
Her breath hitched. “Get Kate.”
Kate had said she’d follow in her car, but he didn’t know if she’d arrived. “Do you want me to call Quinn?”
“No. This will freak her out. I need Kate.” She pulled her hand free and turned away.
She was shutting him out. He’d heard stories of women screaming and cursing at their husbands during labor. No one ever said she might not want him.
In the hall, he found Kate.
“How is she?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know. Scared. They’re trying to stop the labor, but the doctor said it might be time. She wants you.”
Kate left him, and he paced the hall. He removed the tux jacket and shoved his tie in the pocket. He failed at blocking out the sounds of the hospital. The quiet that wasn’t quiet. He remembered the nights sitting by his mother’s bed. He shut out the thoughts as sounds returned him to the present. Machines beeped, wheels on carts squeaked, women screamed.
Babies cried.
No other men, no fathers, wandered the hall. If they left the room, they had a purpose. They were doing something for the mothers. He stood useless.
An eternity passed before the door opened and Kate came out.
“The drugs seem to be working. The contractions have stopped.” She ran her hand down his arm. “She said you should go home.”
“No.” They’d gotten past these bullshit games. “What happened?”
Kate sighed and shook her head. “When the doctor told her the baby might be ready, Indy realized she was right all along. The baby is Richard’s.”
A Good Time Page 30