Page 85 of Amore
Clark’s trial took place. I didn’t have to attend, and even though he denied it, the DA had said his motive was he wanted to sleep with me because he was infatuated with me. He was found guilty and sentenced to a maximum of fifteen years for breaking and entering, stalking, and attempted rape. I felt as though I could finally breathe. Everything was behind us.
Getting ready for the premiere ofThe Whispers Next Door, I sat in a chair in the middle of my bathroom as my glam team did my hair and makeup. Emily had scheduled a limo to arrive at our house to take Luke and me to Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, where the screening was taking place.
Luke walked in dressed in a black and white tuxedo, and my mouth watered. “Damn, baby. You are so hot right now.” I whistled.
Luke chuckled and adjusted the bowtie he wasn’t used to wearing. “Thanks. I’m going to go get some fresh air.”
“Okay.”
“The limo is here, by the way,” he advised.
“Perfect.” I smiled. “Almost ready.”
Luke walked out of the room, and I turned my gaze to Emily. “Remember to set the alarm when you leave.” Emily was staying behind while my glam team packed up their things.
“I will.”
“And make sure Amore pees before you leave.”
“Of course.”
Once I was all dolled up, I slipped into a one-shouldered red dress with a pleated overlay bodice. It was made of chiffon, with an overlapped high-low skirt, and was cut in an A-line topped with a pleated waistband. It also had pockets for snacks.
Walking out to the front, I saw the limo that was backed into the driveway. Luke was talking to the driver, but the moment he saw me, his face lit up. He walked toward me, not saying a word, until he leaned down and whispered, “I hope there’s a privacy glass in the limo.”
“I look fat.” I frowned.
Luke pulled back. “You’re not fat. You’re pregnant.”
“And hungry. Are there snacks in the limo?” I’d just started the second trimester of my pregnancy and was no longer nauseous or puking, but my boobs hurt like a bitch, and I was hungry all the time.
“I stocked the limo.” He winked.
Emily came out and handed me my clutch, and Luke and I got into the waiting limo. Once inside, Luke handed me a Ziplock with parmesan popcorn that he’d made. Since he was the cook of the house, he’d looked up healthy snacks and food for me to eat while pregnant—a lifesaver when my cravings would hit. Parmesan popcorn was my favorite to snack on.
He popped the top on a can of Sprite and handed it to me. “Excited to see your movie?”
I lifted a shoulder. “It’s still weird seeing myself on the big screen.”
“It’s amazing. I can’t wait.”
“Can we skip the after-party, though?” It was Luke’s first premiere, and he probably wanted to experience it all. But being sixteen weeks pregnant, I was exhausted. I didn’t know why because I’d read women have a lot of energy in the second trimester.
“Yeah, whatever you want. It’s your big day.”
I stuck a handful of popcorn into my mouth. “You know, this is the first time I’ve had a date to one of these.”
“Really?”
“Yep.”
“I feel so special.” He grinned.
“You are special.” I beamed.
He leaned over and kissed my mouth. “Mmmm, cheesy.”
“Stop.” I laughed, pushing him away. “The baby wants a snack.”
