Page 75 of Bound By Flames
Iris.
Pregnancy.
No need to be an expert in marriage to know that it doesn’t inspire anything good.
“You okay, Mrs Malone?” asks Ash, opening the door of Vanessa’s gallery for me, Carter right behind him. Don’t know why Shadow’s been replaced. Maybe Ares needed him for a job. It’ll be less fun. Carter hasn't even uttered a word since they came to pick me up after my day of work calls and video-try-on with my clients.
“Yes, thank you,” I say quietly, the noise of the crowd buzzing around us. The gallery is packed. There’s so many people it’s almost hard to make your way and see the art. High ceilings, with golden chandeliers and bright white walls. Waiters walk around carrying glasses of champagne and canapés.
Wouldn’t it be a great opportunity to try something new? Like the doctor said?
“Mia, you made it!” Vanessa’s warm voice burst in front of me, her dress and curled hair making her look to die for.
“Vanessa, you’re gorgeous. The place is packed.” I greet her, amazed at what she accomplished.
“I know, right? It’s so great. Come, I'll introduce you to the artist!” She nods to Carter and Ash. “Guys, I'll borrow her fora sec. Make yourself at home.” She smiles at them widely. You can clearly see that Vanessa is used to her brother’s way because anyone normal would freak out just from the look of those two giants with leather cuts and killing gaze, but she seems playful about it.
“Is Scott here?” I ask.
“No, he had to work.” She shrugs with a sad smile. “Do you know if Ares’s gonna make it ?” she asks.
“He said he’d be here later,” I assure her. She nods, a little spark shining in her green eyes like she’s really excited to show her brother how successful she is. That’s cute. After talking to the artist and looking around at the magnificent pieces of painting, sculptures, and collages, I hear my stomach roar.
Damn it, I should have accepted Larry’s offer to eat before going out. But my stomach was still in knots from thinking about the pregnancy thing, and I really didn’t feel like eating.
A tray appears before me as a nice waitress dressed in a formal black shirt invites me to dig in. There’s one hors-d’oeuvre that looks simple. A piece of cheese over a raisin. Two food groups. There’s protein in the cheese and fiber in the raisin. It’s low-carb and will appease my hunger.
I can do this.
It’s easy.
I just have to take it in my hand, shove it in my mouth, and call it a day.
No big deal.
I focus as hard as I can to stop my arm from trembling, grateful for my green maxi dress with long sleeves, hiding my trembling away.
Easy, just breathe, and don’t think about it too much.
It’s just food.
I open my mouth and take a bite, the flavors and textures surprising me as something creamy fills my mouth. Swallowing the whole thing in an attempt to make the sensation go away, I ask, “Was it something in the cheese?”
“Yes, our chef made a homemade organic gorgonzola and honey creme to fill the inside. Isn’t it exquisite?” She grins politely. I nod mindlessly, already picturing the cream covering my insides and spreading like wildfire.
No.
No.
Don’t do this, especially not here.
I glance around and find Carter behind me. “I need to—sit, not, not here.” Without question, he heads to the back of the gallery, opens a door with the sign “private” on it, and leads me into a back office. My fingers are already tingling, my breathing quickening as I find a chair behind the desk. It’s not fancy. It must be the place the genitor uses from the way mops and cleaning supplies are displayed. I don’t care. I just need to be alone for a minute.
“Do you need me to stay?” he asks with no emotion. I’m grateful for his coldness. I wouldn’t have wanted Ash's kindness to witness this and try to make it all better. Maybe Carter isn’t so bad, actually.
“No-can you close the door, please?” I try to keep my breath at a normal pace.
“I’m right here if you need me,” he states before closing the door.
