Page 25 of Twilight Tides
Nee huffed. “Why are people guessing so easily? Do I look bloated?”
“Jill had to stop drinking coffee when she was pregnant with Kelly. Her caffeine withdrawal was worse than the pregnancy hormones,” Murray explained. “So, you’re pregnant?”
“We’re not telling anyone. This stays between us.” Nee gestured to us all.
Murray released my hand to step forward and embrace Nee. “Congratulations.”
She beamed over his shoulder at me as she said thanks.
My new husband then stuck out his hand to Ramsay to congratulate him.
Ramsay glowered at his hand. Then at Murray’s left hand. Then at me before directing his words at Murray. “First, do you want to explain why you walked in here holding London’s hand and why you’re both wearing wedding bands?”
“What?” my best friend squawked.
Murray returned to my side, bending to whisper in my ear, “Observant bastard.”
A nervous laugh rattled out of me as Murray took my hand again. I practically cut off his circulation I gripped him so tightly.
“I heard that.” Ramsay helped Nee off her stool, even though she batted him away impatiently.
“I can get off a stool by myself.” She stood, crossing her arms over her chest, glaring at me. “Please tell me you didn’t.”
“Nee …” I really needed my best friend to understand. “We got married and it was the right thing to do. Theonlything to do.”
“Really? Because I think it’s insane. Mostly because it’s illegal!”
Ramsay slid his arm around her waist, pulling her into his side as if to comfort her.
“Nee … it’s nobody’s business but mine and Murray’s. And as far as the rest of this town goes, we married for love and nothing else.” I narrowed my eyes. “No one is going to contradict that. Right?”
“Ramsay was taking care of the Nick situation. You didn’t have to do this!”
Murray’s grip on me tightened, and I pulsed his hand in reassurance. “Do you know how sick and tired I am of having people rescue me?”
“And Murray isn’t rescuing you?” Hurt flared through me and Nee winced. “I didn’t mean?—”
“No, I’m not,” Murray objected. “We’re helping each other. London more so than me.”
“Whose idea was it?” Ramsay demanded.
I shrugged. “It was mine.”
Nee huffed. “Yours? London, have you lost your mind?”
“No. Look, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. I wouldn’t be here without you and Ramsay. But it’s hard to live with that, knowing it wasn’t me who got me away from Nick, it was you.”
“You got yourself out of that situation too.” Ramsay’s voice was softer than I’d ever heard it. “We couldn’t have helped if you didn’t want to help yourself.”
I nodded reluctantly. “That’s true too but … It wouldn’t have happened without you. And I don’t want you always solving my problems. Not because I don’t appreciate or love you both … butbecause Ineedto help myself. I needed to take control of my life because too many times things haven’t been in my control.” I bit back tears. “Murray is a good man who needs Jill out of his life and his daughter back. We talked this over, we know what we’re getting into, and this isourbusiness. No one else’s.”
At my friends’ silence, my dismay grew.
I’d known they wouldn’t approve, but being at odds with Tierney always made me feel sick. It hadn’t happened much over our twenty-year friendship, but when it did, it sucked.
“London wanted you both to know the truth,” Murray spoke. “I’m sure the guys will guess it too, but this is the only time we’ll speak of it. Everyone must believe this is for real. There’s too much at stake if the truth were revealed to the wrong people.”
“What about your daughter?” Ramsay asked incredulously. “You’re going to lie to Kelly?”
