Page 86 of Made for Wilde
“Alright,” I agree. “When were you thinking?”
“I’m going out of town on business next week, but I should be back in two weeks.” She pulls out her phone and checks her calendar. “How about the Saturday after I get back?”
“That sounds good. I’ll talk to Charlotte and let you know.”
Dana beams and pulls me into another hug, this one even tighter than the first. “I’m so happy for you, Koda. You deserve this. You deserve everything.”
The emotion in her voice catches me off guard. Dana’s not usually one for sentiment, but pregnancy announcements have a way of bringing out the softer side in people.
“Thanks, sis.” I return the hug, grateful for her support. “It means a lot.”
She pulls back and straightens her blazer, slipping back into professional mode. “Now get out of here before I start crying and ruin my makeup. I have a meeting in ten minutes.”
I grab my gym bag from the floor and head for the door. “Try not to terrorize the board of directors too much.”
“No promises.” Dana’s already pulling files from her briefcase, but she looks up long enough to give me one more smile. “And Koda? Tell Charlotte I can’t wait to meet her.”
I nod and step out into the hallway, pulling the door closed behind me. The main gym is still busy with afternoon training sessions, the familiar sounds of weights clanging and trainers shouting encouragement filling the air. But for once, the chaos doesn’t center me the way it usually does.
My mind is already at home, imagining Charlotte’s reaction when I tell her about Dana’s dinner invitation. She’ll probably be nervous. Hell, I’m nervous, and I’ve known Dana most of my life.
But as I push through the glass doors into the parking lot, I can’t shake the feeling that this is exactly what we need. Charlotte’s been so worried about telling people, about how everyone will react to our relationship. Having Dana in our corner will make facing Jason easier.
At least, I hope it will.
EIGHTEEN
CHARLOTTE
“What about this one?”Koda holds up a dress that looks like it was designed by someone who thought pregnancy meant I suddenly developed a deep love for botanical gardens.
Pink roses cascade across pale yellow fabric, with little green vines weaving between them like some kind of floral fever dream.
I can’t help but giggle. “I need something a bit less... floral.”
He examines the dress with mock seriousness, holding it at arm’s length. “I thought it screamed ‘responsible mother-to-be.’”
“It screams ‘walking garden center.’” I take the dress from him and hang it back on the rack, shaking my head. “Dana’s going to think you knocked up someone with the fashion sense of a Victorian wallpaper sample.”
My stomach clenches with nerves as the reality of tonight crashes over me again.
In just a few hours, I’ll be sitting across from Koda’s sister, trying to make a good impression. The successful CEO who probably has very strong opinions about her brother dating his best friend’s daughter.
Before I can spiral into more self-doubt, a store associate appears beside us. She’s probably my age, with perfectly styled blonde hair and the kind of effortless makeup that takes an hour to achieve.
“Hi there! I’m Madison. Are you folks looking for anything specific today?” Her smile is bright and professional, but her eyes linger on Koda in a way that makes me want to step closer to him.
“We need something for dinner tonight,” I say, forcing my own smile. “Something that works with...” I gesture vaguely at my still-small bump.
Madison’s gaze drops to my midsection, and understanding dawns in her expression.
“Oh, congratulations! How exciting. Let me show you to a dressing room, and we can figure out exactly what you’re looking for.”
She leads us through the store, past racks of clothes that all look either too formal or too casual for meeting my boyfriend’s intimidating CEO sister.
“So what’s the occasion?” Madison asks as she unlocks one of the larger rooms.
“Meeting family,” I say, which is technically true.
