Page 119 of You Make Me Feel
He smiles softly. “You really like her, huh?”
I let out a breath. “Yeah,” I say. “I really do.”
“And yet you still haven’t told her.”
I know what he’s talking about. “Not yet, no.” My voice is tight. Like the rest of me. Wound up and on edge.
“So when will you?”
I take a deep breath. “Soon.”
“That’s good. Especially after Asher’s announcement.”
That’s when it hits me.Fuck. The baby. This condition is genetic. This just keeps getting worse.
Wyatt turns back to look at me.
“You know it’s not your fault, right?” he says. “That you have sight problems. It’s just a quirk of fucking fate.”
“I know.” But I can’t help feeling the guilt squeezing at my stomach. Because my nieces and nephews could suffer, too.
He gives me the tightest of smiles. And it’s stupid, but I’m glad he’s here. He’ll be with me tomorrow, when I tell them all the truth.
I think I need that.
We step back into the ballroom, the low pulse of music and conversation washing over us. I scan the room, my eyes locking on the table where Sadie’s sitting with Francie, Skyler, Eden, and Romy. She’s laughing at something Romy’s saying.
And behind them, trying and failing to look natural, are two guards that Asher has assigned to them, because despite his bravado he’s actually even more protective than I am.
When she sees me, her shoulders soften. Her smile is instant.
And that’s when I realize I’d do anything for her. I’m in love with this woman, so damn much it hurts.
So much, I’d let her go if it meant she could be safe.
thirty-two
SADIE
“Well tonight seems to have taken a turn,” Eden says, biting down a smile as she lifts her glass of champagne to one of the two enormous men who have taken up their stations next to our table. “I don’t know whether I should feel safe or scared of them.”
“They look like Kevin Costner on steroids,” I point out, shaking my head because I’d heard about Asher’s obsession with security, but this is the first time I’ve seen it play out before my eyes.
“Well they can carry me away from danger any time,” Romy says, fluttering her eyelashes at the one on her left. She joined us right after Asher headed for the office to join Zach and whoever else was in there. God only knows what they’re talking about, but it can’t be as interesting as watching the security guards stand so still I’m not sure if they’re breathing.
“Honestly, this is so over the top,” Francie says. “Evenfor Asher. I swear he has more guards on this island than regular people. I hate to think what it’s all costing.” She sighs. “God only knows what he’ll be like when the baby gets here.”
“Wait. What?” Skyler’s mouth drops open. As does everybody else’s around the table. We’re all silent for a moment as we take in Francie’s words.
“Oh my God, are you pregnant?” Eden asks, her face lighting up with excitement.
Francie puts her hand over her mouth, her eyes so wide they look like dinner plates. “Oh shit, did I just say that?”
“You really did,” I say, grinning. I’m stupidly happy for her. And that explains all the guards.
Skyler tips her head to the side as she points at Francie’s champagne flute. “I hate to be the buzzkill, but should you be drinking that?”
“This?” Francie takes a huge gulp, making Eden’s mouth drop. “It’s alcohol free. Asher brought a bottle for me. And speaking of Asher, please don’t tell him I said anything. We agreed to keep it a secret until next month.”
