Page 89 of An Unlikely Bride (Lucas & Ava)
“Super,” Darcy says. An extrovert to the core, she loves to meet new people.
Lucas leads the way into the mansion. The foyer is stunning, with beautifully framed paintings that look gracing the walls. I stare at them like a wide-eyed fool—all of them look like originals—but Lucas barely seems to notice. I hear the clacking of heels on the marble floor.
“Oh my gosh, you made it!”
It’s Elizabeth, a mimosa in her hand. She’s as well put together as usual in a pink dress and nude pumps. Her makeup is flawless, maybe done professionally, and her golden hair is pulled back, revealing dangly pearl and diamond earrings.
Lucas makes quick introductions, and Elizabeth greets everyone warmly. Then her gaze falls on Mia. “Hello, little princess. Aren’t you gorgeous?” She gives her drink to Lucas, opens her arms, then looks at Darcy. “Do you mind if I hold her?”
“Not at all.” Darcy hands her off.
Elizabeth takes Mia with care. “She’s so precious!” she coos. “Oh my gosh. I think I just ovulated.”
“I…did not need to know that,” Lucas remarks.
“Oh hush. Let’s go to the living room.” She walks with us. “Everyone’s here except Blake. I don’t know when he’s coming, or even if he’s coming. He isn’t answering his phone, and Paige says he didn’t bother to RSVP.” She rolls her eyes. “I swear we were taught better than that.”
“That’s a shame,” I say, although secretly I’m hoping he doesn’t show at all. I know I have to make peace with the man eventually. He’s the sibling who showed up in Charlottesville when Lucas and I broke up and gave him support. But I can’t forget what Blake said to me, and I’m not going to pretend that it was okay, even though I’m willing to be friendly with him for Lucas’s sake. However, with the confession I need to make, I’d rather not deal with him today if possible.
“Look who’s here!” Elizabeth announces as we spill into the sizable living room. I notice it has a view of the garden and the pool.
Ryder Reed, in the flesh, gets up from the loveseat he’s sharing with a pregnant blond woman and welcomes us. He’s famous for his chiseled, impossibly handsome movie-star looks, and if anything he’s even better in person. Darcy is quite taken with him, naturally, and even Ray looks a bit shocked. It’s a little surreal having a face you’ve seen hundreds of times in movies smile at you in real life.
Lucas clears his throat and squints at me in mock displeasure. I look up at him, then grin. “Jealous?”
“Depends on what you’re thinking about.”
“I was wondering what genius surgeon gave him that face.”
“Sadly, it’s all natural.”
“Really?” I gape at Ryder, who I think knows what we’re talking about and has the chutzpah to wink at me. I turn back to Lucas. “You’re the most perfect man for me though.”
“Even with the scar?” he asks, but there’s no pain or darkness in his gaze.
“I’m rather fond of it. Plus, now all you need is an eye patch and you can be a pirate.” I kiss him, then notice Elizabeth and Ryder over Lucas’s shoulder, watching us with huge grins.
Soon the two of them introduce us to Paige and her family, including her mother, stepfather, stepsister and her husband. All the women fawn over Mia, who preens shamelessly with a wide smile and bright eyes. Paige rests a hand over her belly and says, “I hope I have a baby just as precious as Mia. She’s adorable.”
“So do I,” Belle says. “Which is bad because I really want to finish college first.”
“We can do both,” Elliot calls out, while serving scotch to Ryder, Lucas and Ray.
“Easy for you to say,” Belle shoots back. “You won’t be the one with morning sickness and cankles.”
Elizabeth rolls her eyes. “Ignore him. What do men know about pregnancy anyway?” She caresses Mia’s cheeks.
“Exactly. Men…know nothin’ ?
?bout women. Thass the problem.”
My jaw drops at the sight of Blake, who sways as he walks in. His shirt and pants are wrinkled like he’s slept in them, and he reeks of stale alcohol. Red rims his eyes, and he hasn’t shaved recently. I can’t believe it’s the same self-possessed, supercilious bastard I met before.
I glance at Lucas, unsure what to do. But I suppose my plan to make friends with Blake is going to have to wait, just like my confession.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Lucas
