Chapter 10
Nari.
“I hate this part,” I groaned as I watched Claudia hang several dresses on the wall of my dressing area.
This one was modest in size and had two ivory leather sofas, a three-way mirror centered on the wall across from them, and two private rooms that could be closed off with an off-white curtain matching the internal design.
The entire space looked as if it was the result of a silk, pearl, and crystal explosion.
Although it was very chic and exquisite, it was the type of place that made you cautious about touching or disturbing anything.
“I love this part. How on earth are we friends?” Alisha’s tiny frame stepped out of one of the rooms with a smile that consumed her face while she smoothed her hands down the black dress she wore.
It was a floor-length number that hugged her petite body, secured around her neck with an attachment that resembled a beaded choker.
“Because even though I hate shopping, you love everything else about me.”
Her smile grew more expansive, but this time, she exposed teeth. “I do. You’re like the sister I never had. Flawed in the worst way, yet my go-to for any and all things good and bad in my life.”
“How the hell am I flawed?” My eyes narrowed on her and she shrugged.
“Because you were born without the shopping gene, although technically, that’s not your fault. I should probably take that up with Endia.” She circled me once then tugged at the side of my dress I was holding in place with one hand across my chest.
“How’s that going, by the way? You two seem like you haven’t missed any time.”
Our eyes met in the mirror and I smiled. “We’re good. I’m glad she’s here.”
“Me too. Suck it in so I can zip this.” She balled up her mouth and tugged harder before continuing. “I wouldn’t know what to do without my mother. We’re not exactly best friends, but she’s always there for me.”
After she managed to get the zipper all the way up, I released a short breath, working my hands down the sides of my waist and over my hips.
“It’s too tight.”
“So what? It’s sexy. I really hate your height.
I’m so jealous.” She pouted slightly. “This dress is perfect, though.” We both eyed my curvy frame through the mirror.
My dress was strapless with silk and satin material covered with tiny crystal beads.
It was similar to the one I got married in but swept the floor, with a split up on the left side that stopped midthigh.
“If I gain even half a pound, it won’t work.” I pressed my palm into my stomach and frowned. “And these things.” My hands moved to my breasts, which were pushed up higher and on display due to the cut of the dress.
“Those things deserve to be presented to the world. You’re sexy, Nari. The dress is perfect. No one will even notice you’re pregnant. It looks like you ate one too many doughnuts and that’s about it. How far along are you, anyway? Shouldn’t you be showing?”
“Nineteen weeks. Dr. Chandler said it’s my first pregnancy, so I may not get that big. She said that with my body type, I’ll carry differently, mostly all up front and all baby.”
“So you get the whole pregnancy experience and still get to look like this in a dress like that. You know, I secretly think I hate you.”
“You love me too much to hate me.” I stuck my tongue out and she rolled her eyes just as Corinne and my mother rounded the corner with champagne flutes in their hands. They both chose their dresses after one fitting while I was on my fourth and Alisha was on her third.
“Oh, wow, you look hot.” Corinne approached with a sly grin. “Kincaid might not approve, which is precisely why you must go with that one.”
A laugh burst from the pit of my stomach, which had them all smiling as she sipped from her glass, peering at me.
“So, you know he won’t approve, but this is the one you want me to get?” I arched my brow, and she shrugged, issuing a mischievous grin.
“Husband or not, you have to remind him that he still needs to invest the time. You’re not just his wife. You’re his very sexy wife, who’s carrying his child while still owning the ability to turn heads.” Her regard lowered to my mother. “Isn’t that right, Endia?”
“The dress is perfect. He wanted to show you off, so give them a show,” my mother added with a slight shrug.
“While giving him a heart attack at the same time.” I raked my fingers through my hair, turning to face the mirror once again.
“Nonsense . . .” Corinne flicked her wrist, unbothered.
“My son will be just fine, and I can’t wait to see those hateful women’s mouths drop and see the envy in their eyes when you step into the room.
Serves them right. I heard about the little performance Mya put on at Gian’s event. She was certainly out of line.”
“You heard about that?” I frowned, and she nodded, sipping her champagne.
“I hear about everything, dear.” She winked and smiled before addressing my mother. “Let’s get one more refill before we head out. You two hurry so we can go eat or you’re fully responsible for my behavior after drinking on an empty stomach.”
The two of them walked off, leaving me with Alisha. “All eyes will definitely be on you in that dress.”
Once we were changed back into our clothes and arrangements were made to deliver the dresses to everyone the following morning, we all climbed into the waiting SUV.
Floyd hurried out of the driver’s seat to open the door on his side while Conner, who had been with us guarding the door, opened the one on the passenger side.
We had a short drive to the restaurant, one Kincaid owned and happened to be his mother’s favorite.
A table in the back was set, waiting. Not long after our arrival, shareable plates were brought out, causing my stomach to do a happy dance.
There were several arrangements of appetizers for which I was grateful.
“Good thing I called ahead,” Corinne teased.
“Joke all you want.” I pointed to my loaded plate before I continued. “This is all your grandchild’s fault.”
“Well, you barely fit into the dress that you chose, so you might want to tread lightly until this weekend.” Alisha grinned before forking a cheddar-topped scallop in her mouth.
“Such a good friend,” I taunted, which made her face split into a grin.
“I’m hating that you’re tall, pregnant, and still look like a runway model.” She stuck out her tongue then popped a jumbo shrimp into her waiting mouth.
“You are absolutely stunning, Alisha.” My mother felt the need to deliver a compliment, which I thought was sweet, but I also knew if Alisha lacked anything, it wasn’t confidence.
“You would be correct. I’m simply stunning and height-challenged.” She blew my mother a kiss and winked at me. The table circled through a round of laughter before everyone began loading their plates with appetizers, the same as I had.
Lunch and conversation were amazing, as always, but I was exhausted and ready to get home.
It seemed we were all on one accord, so Corinne motioned for the server to bring the bill, and that was when things took a drastic turn.
Our server, Dalia, offered a polite smile when she stood at the end of the table, her hands folded in front of her as she explained the bill was covered.
Based on his mother’s quick eye roll, I assumed Kincaid had handled things as did the rest of us.
“I bet those handlers reported where we were having lunch,” she mumbled, referring to Floyd and Conner before addressing Dalia. “Well, since my son covered the bill, let me at least leave a tip.”
Dalia’s face twisted slowly into a frown. “The tip is covered as well, but it wasn’t Mr. Akel who covered it.”
“Well then, who?” Corinne’s frown now matched Dalia’s.
“Mr. Manchester. He said his wife and daughter were having lunch here with family and he wanted to cover the bill.”
Wife and daughter? What the hell?
“He was here?” I was sure the color had drained from my face because my voice was unsteady and my hands were shaky.
“No, ma’am.” Dalia’s nervous eyes moved around the table before they landed on me again.
“He sent someone with cash to cover the bill and deliver his message since he couldn’t make it as planned.
” She then perked up and dug into the pocket of the apron tied at her waist. “He also asked that I give this to Mrs. Manchester.” She smiled before her eyes landed on my mother, whose identity she likely assumed, considering she was familiar with Corinne.
Her frown surfaced again when I snatched it from her before she could place it into my mother’s hands.
“Is there a problem? Have I done something wrong?” She was likely reading the table as I was positive we all shared the same sentiment . . .
Alarm!
“No. No.” Corinne was on her feet quickly. “Absolutely not. We’ll be leaving now. Thank you, the food was lovely as always.”
“Are you sure there’s not a problem?”
“No, everything’s fine,” I said to her, but I was trying to convince myself more. Dalia nodded and hesitantly walked away.
“What does it say?” My mother’s voice was low. She removed the note from my hands when I didn’t speak.
There’s nothing worse than a thief and a liar. Your time is coming. Enjoy what’s left of it. Eli
We shared a look, knowing exactly what that meant. It was a threat. He planned on doing something terrible. The thought had me nervously looking around while I removed my phone to call Conner.
“Hey, are you okay?” Alisha was on me quickly, placing a soothing hand on my back. I nodded and addressed Conner when he answered.
“Yes, ma’am?”
“Can you come to the door? We’re ready to leave.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes, just hurry, please.”
It seemed he had ended the call and appeared not even a minute later. While Conner shuffled us out of the restaurant to the waiting SUV, my eyes nervously bounced around. I had an eerie feeling we were still being watched. Had to be and it made my skin prickle with uncertainty.