Page 43 of Resisting Fate
Normally the cozy space with its deep red walls, golden sconces, and dark wood tables filled with the lingering scent of coffee and delicious pastries made Missy relax, but tonight there was a definite tension in the air as they all waited to hear how Charlotte and the baby fared.
“I’m sure we’ll hear something soon,” Sabrina said in her soothing counselor tone. She set a triple-tiered cupcake holder on top of one of the tables that had been pushed to the edges of the space for their meeting. The women sat in a circle of chairs in the center.
They quickly took their seats. Missy looked around at the closest friends she’d ever had, all of their faces drawn tight with worry for Charlotte. With Charlotte in the hospital and movie star Claire in California for postproduction on her movie, there were only eight women, including herself.
Mad, a tough blackbelt with a secretly sensitive side, stomped her black boots on the floor as she stood. “What’s taking so long? She’s been in labor for four hours now.”
Carrie, a sweet blonde pediatric nurse, spoke up. “It’s perfectly normal, especially for a first child. The baby will come when it’s ready.”
Mad whipped her head toward Carrie, shoving her dyed red hair out of her eyes. “Easy for you to say. It’s not your family.” Mad considered Charlotte a sister since she married Mad’s big brother Ty.
“Mad,” Hailey said quietly.
“What?” Mad snarled, her hands in fists. “She doesn’t know what it feels like. I want to beat the shit out of something.”
Hailey stood, went over to Mad and spoke to her in low tones before hugging her. They were close in height, around five foot four, their hair clinging together—Hailey’s long strawberry blond picking up wisps of Mad’s choppy red. Probably static electricity, but Missy couldn’t help but think about their close bond. So different—an ultrafeminine beauty queen and tough tomboy—yet so in synch.
Mad pulled away, dashing her eyes with a fist before taking a seat, crossing her arms and slouching low in her seat.
“You know what?” Hailey asked, her pale blue eyes bright. “Instead of talking aboutHeart on Ice, let’s talk about Ty’s favorite, the Laird trilogy.”
They cracked up, even Mad snorted out a laugh. When Charlotte had been put on bed rest a couple of months ago, they had a few of their Happy Endings Book Club meetings in her bedroom, which Ty insisted on attending, saying he was “romance-curious.” They all knew he was in full overprotective-husband mode, there to keep an eye on Charlotte and make sure she didn’t get overly excited in her delicate state. The hilarious part was Ty really got into the stories and was heavily invested in the discussion ofHighlander’s Mission,and also extremely eager to read the next two books in the trilogy.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Ty started wearing a kilt around the house after that,” Missy said with a straight face.
“Yes!” Mad crowed. “I’m totally getting him that for his Christmas present. I picked him for my family’s Secret Santa.”
“Get pictures.” Lexi smiled evilly, a sharp contrast to her usual cuteness, especially with her dark brown hair up in a high ponytail. “Perfect blackmail.”
“You’re a devious woman,” Mad said, reaching over and fist-bumping Lexi.
“It was sad that Brianna had that arranged marriage,” Sabrina said, all quiet sincerity. She tucked a stray lock of dirty blond hair behind her ear. “I mean, I know it was common for that time, but it was so clear she was supposed to be with Roan.”
“It wasn’t all bad,” Missy said. “Roan made her his mistress. At least she could be with him, and he did live in the best home since he was the laird.”
“It’s not like it was an honor,” Sabrina returned with a good amount of indignation for the heroine. “Her husband would’ve blamed her for that. Tensions would’ve been high in her household.”
“Get a grip, girl,” Lexi replied, turning to Sabrina at her side. “First of all, her arranged marriage fell apart when the guy died; second of all, it’s fiction.”
Sabrina cocked her head. “I’m sorry, were we not supposed to take these stories seriously?”
“Of course we are!” Hailey exclaimed.
Sabrina went on, speaking to the group. “Because I always thought there were deeper layers here of love, hope, and redemption. Everything thatmattersin life.”
They all got quiet for a moment.
“Oh, shut up,” Lexi said, giving Sabrina a playful shove. “We know you’re just hot for Roan and his…sword.”
Sabrina’s cheeks dotted with red. “I’ll admit I’m not immune to the appeal of a strong male, who—”
“Is naked under his kilt,” Missy supplied.
“And don’t forget shirtless,” Lexi put in, her brown eyes gleaming. “Remember the cover? He’s like—” she gestured to her own narrow shoulders “—massive shoulders, bulging arms, tight abs, and then there’s Brianna, all petite and crushed against him. Didn’t you just want to be her?”
The women all heartily agreed.
Hailey beamed, flicking her long strawberry blond hair over her shoulder, and began an enthusiastic discussion of Roan, Brianna, and Brianna’s badass warrior brothers, who fell hard for their women.
