Total pages in book: 206
Estimated words: 192184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 961(@200wpm)___ 769(@250wpm)___ 641(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 192184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 961(@200wpm)___ 769(@250wpm)___ 641(@300wpm)
He was sweet, attentive, and affectionate with me during the meal, which felt light and happy. Tommy didn’t seem at all awkward with his father. I felt awkward, but tried to push it away.
When dessert was served, Tessa, Lisa, and Luc’s hubby Eddy were all going on and on about my cake. When Tommy’s father was served a piece, he stared at it for a long time before taking a bite. I tried not to look at him while he tasted it. I tried, but I couldn’t help it. His eyes, as he chewed, went far away for a second. Then he caught me looking and our eyes locked . I think he knew. I think he knew right then and there that I’d made that cake knowing something about their past. I saw something dark and sinister pass over his expression, and I knew I had to switch gears pretty darn quick to make sure I didn’t give myself away.
“Do you like it?” I asked, giving him a big smile.
He licked his lips. “It’s very good.” He said this softly, assessing me, trying to see through my act. I wasn’t about to let him; I couldn’t mess this up. I nonchalantly leaned over and put a forkful up to Tommy’s mouth. Tommy had been talking to Eddy across the table about a restaurant Eddy managed for the family. He stopped mid-sentence and made eye contact with me and then accepted the bite. I kissed him on the mouth and totally ignored his father. My heart hammered in my chest; I prayed he bought it. I didn’t look back at him for a good minute, just fixed my eyes on Tommy’s eyes and Tommy seemed to totally get that I needed to keep eyes locked with him for as long as possible. When I did glance back in Tom’s direction, he was talking to Lisa animatedly with his hands and paying no attention to me.
I settled down and Tommy must’ve read me. His lips brushed mine and then he whispered in my ear, “What is it?”
I whispered, “Can we go soon? I can’t get into it now but I’m having trouble keeping it together.”
“We’ll finish the coffee and then I’ll get us out of here,” he whispered back. “That okay?” I nodded. He kissed me on the lips again and pulled me closer.
“Fuck, you two; get a room!” That was Luc.
“Oh, jealous bitch,” Tessa told her, then explained, “She’s got Placenta Praevia so orders of no sex from her doc. She’s getting a bit bitchy.”
Eddy started to laugh. “Yeah, and she’s like a big horny cat in heat walking around clawing at everyone who’s getting any. The only thing I can do to calm her down is keep feeding her.”
Everyone started to laugh, including Luciana, and then Luc swatted her husband. “Watch out or this cat’ll act like a praying mantis and gnaw your head off after the next time you get lucky, especially if this isn’t a boy!”
“Notice she said ‘after’ the next time I get lucky? Hey, at least she wants it one more time before she whacks me,” Eddy laughed some more and that got the room roaring with laugher.
A few minutes later, Tommy looked at his phone and then put his napkin on the table and took my hand, pulling us up to stand. “Sorry kids, but something’s come up. We gotta fly.”
“Oh, I wanted to help clean up,” I said innocently. Tommy winked at me. “Sorry, baby girl. Duty calls.”
Lisa waved her hand. “Don’t even worry. It’s covered. You were a great help setting up. But when can we talk about your wedding?”
“We’re postponing it a bit,” Tommy said nonchalantly, swiping his phone as he pulled me along. “Plenty of time for that.”
He made his way around the table, kissing all the girls on their cheeks and shaking hands with back slaps or fist bumping with each of the guys.
I tried not to show my surprise. Everyone else seemed surprised, too, especially Tommy’s father.
“Thank you guys so much for dinner and the great company,” I said cheerily.
One by one I got kisses and hugs as we made our way out of there. Tommy’s father whispered to Tommy for a second before letting go of him. Tommy seemed like he was trying to wave whatever the discussion was off as if it was no big deal. I accepted an awkward hug from him and then when Tommy grabbed my hand, I was happy to be getting out of there.
When we got in his car, I tried to explain the Bundt cake snafu. Tommy was a little pissed, told me I had to be careful not to tip our hand while he figured things out, but seemed like he understood.
“Why are we postponing the wedding?” I asked.
He smiled at me. “I’d have thought you’d be relieved at that.”