Free Layers Peeled by Lacey Silks Page A

defined
it. Was it necessary to define? Or should we just keep following
our hearts, the way we had so far? I wasn’t sure myself if I was
ready to get married. So much had happened in the past month;
things were moving too fast. I needed time to think. I needed a
vacation. And it was a good thing I was about to get one.
    Well, sort
of.

     

CHAPTER 7
     
    The doorbell
rang and Tristan jumped up as if he’d been burnt by fire.
    Saved by
the bell, I thought.
    When he
returned, his brother Julian came in to embrace me.
    “I’m going to
be an aunt!” Emma screamed out.
    “Seriously?”
he asked, looking at me, his expression so similar to Tristan’s I
wondered whether Julian’s past was connected to Tristan’s more than
the brothers cared to share. Julian had explained his feelings for
Kendra to me, but did Tristan know just how deep they were? And why
did it seem like they’d shared a secret no one else was privy
of?
    Julian
embraced me in his bear arms as I explained, “Yeah, it sort of
happened.” It was the first time I felt heat rush to my cheeks.
    “I bet it did.
I’m very happy for you.” He turned around, waving a cream envelope.
“But I have a surprise as well.”
    Tristan’s nose
flared, and I wondered why.
    “We’re all
invited to a wedding,” Julian announced, and then turned to Tristan
with pride. “And you’re the best man!”
    “Whose?” I
asked as Tristan took the envelope.
    “Gabe and
Sam,” Julian said. “They’re getting married in two weeks. It’ll be
a small ceremony. Family only.”
    “See, Gabe did
it,” Mr. Cross mumbled under his breath, but before anyone could
answer, Olivier walked into the room.
    “Dinner is
ready, sir,” he said to Tristan.
    The dining
room had been set. White plates, silver utensils, and crystal
glasses reflected the dimmed light from above. The olive green
tablecloth and a center piece made of leaves, squash, mini
pumpkins, apples, and nuts set a perfect mood for the Thanksgiving
dinner. I had to admit it felt weird being served food I hadn’t
cooked (not that I cooked often or even knew how to), by someone
I’d just met in a home I’d just moved into. But I couldn’t deny
Olivier had prepared a meal worthy for the president, and
definitely worthy of a pregnant woman. If I ever got married,
Olivier would be my number one pick for a caterer. Even Emma stayed
quiet for most of her meal.
    “Where did you
find him?” I asked Tristan. “The food is delicious.”
    I was glad my
stomach and Puss decided to agree with me. I couldn’t stand wasting
this food by throwing it all up in the bathroom.
    “Olivier
worked as a sous-chef in the restaurant I told you my mother staked
out once. She helped him when the head chef wanted to frame him for
spoiled cooking – which pretty much is like murder for a chef – and
they’ve stayed friends ever since.”
    “I want him
catering my wedding,” I blurted, thankful it was only loud enough
for Tristan to hear.
    Tristan’s face
contorted for a fraction of a second before he replied, “You’re
getting married?”
    I chuckled.
“One day, maybe.”
    “To whom?”
    “I don’t know
yet. But he needs to be smart and loving and caring. And I have to
want him all the time, every minute of every day. If you play your
cards right, it could be you,” I winked. Would this scare him
off?
    “Now that’s a
proposal a man dreams of.”
    “It’s not a
proposal,” I said.
    “But you just
listed all my charming qualities.”
    “Really? Did I
mention I’m attracted to powerful men who trust me, give me space
and make me feel safe and secure? Oh, and who rock my world better
than Alphaville!”
    “Really,
Alphaville?”
    “It’s a fact.
“Forever Young” is The. Best. Song. Ever.”
    “I learn
something new about you every day. And as strong a woman as you
are, please note that I’m still more of a traditional kind of guy,
and if anyone would be doing any proposing, it would be me.”
    “That’s good
to