Maybe Baby Lite (70 page)

“
Listen,” she said, her
tone serious, “Gina gave me a 30-second run down of what happened.
When she mentioned that drunken bitch, Caroline, I knew I had to
come and get you.”

“
I don’t want to cause any
issues with you and the Sinclairs, though. You do work for them,
Becky.”

“
My job description
doesn’t say anything about me not helping someone in need. You're
in need. I’ve seen Caroline in action before and it’s clear that
Nigel married a drunken bitch who’s methodically castrated him over
the years. It’s no wonder he had a fling.”

What? Does Trey
know?

“
Nigel had an
affair?”

“
Now I
am
talking out of turn. Forget that
I said anything. That could definitely put a crimp in my
career.”

“
But if it’s common
knowledge, how could it?”

“
I’m not sure just how
common the knowledge is,” Becky replied, “I came up on it with my
own two ears, and I’ve never mentioned it. It was a few summers
ago, Nigel and Caroline were here for a few weeks. I just happened
to be at the right place at the wrong time I guess,” she
laughed.

“
What do you mean, with
your own two ears?”

“
I was up in the supply
room taking inventory on a Sunday. The place was closed. I heard
Nigel and Tristan arguing outside near the stables. That’s how I
found out.”

“
I’m not telling you any
more than that. I swear you're as pushy as Gina in your own way!”
Becky pulled into the driveway of her house. I could see their
Christmas tree lit up through the window.

“
Are you having company
today?” I asked.

“
Just my nephew, Nate, his
wife, and their two kids. She just had a baby three weeks
ago.”

When Becky mentioned a
newborn I thought about our little baby who'd been extremely quiet
since last night’s turmoil. My heart grew heavy wondering if an
unborn could feel stress through the mother. I was sure my violent
retching hadn't helped matters. I hadn’t eaten since dinner. It was
as if Becky had read my mind.

“
I have our traditional
breakfast casserole just out of the oven. Have you eaten yet this
morning, Tylar?”

“
Not yet.”

“
Good,” she said as we
entered her kitchen, “everything’s ready so let’s eat.”

We all enjoyed a
blissfully stress-free breakfast together. I was helping Becky
clear the plates when I remembered I’d forgotten to text Trey.
Checking my phone, I saw that his text to me was brief.

“
Where are
you??”

I immediately texted him
back, letting him know that I was fine and had just gone over to
Becky’s. I told him that I felt it might be best if we had some
distance today. He responded immediately.

“
Distance? WTF?? Is this
how you solve problems, Tylar? I'll be right over to get
you.”

I knew that Trey was
flipping out but I just couldn’t go back right now. I felt relaxed
for the first time since Trey’s evil sister-in-law had stepped foot
into my life. I needed this break. I texted him back
immediately.

“
Trey, please. I need to
be here right now. I can’t handle the stress at your house with
Caroline. I haven’t felt the baby move since all of this happened.
I need to relax. I’m starting to flip out over this. Just
saying…”

I no sooner sent the text
when he called.

“
Hey,” I
answered.

“
Hey,” he said, “I wish
you hadn’t taken off like that. Are you okay?”

“
I will be if I can just
chill out here with Becky today. So far I’m zero for two at your
family gatherings, Trey.”

“
Yeah, it’s been pretty
messed up, I give you that, but running away isn’t the solution
either.”

“
I’m not running; I’m
taking time out from the drama. I’m sorry that you don’t understand
that. What time are you leaving for the Andrews’ party
tonight?”

“
Around seven. Will you be
back by then?”

“
I don’t think so
Trey.”

“
So you intend to avoid my
family for the rest of the week?”

“
I’m not sure what I'm
doing at this point,” I explained.

“
If it makes any
difference, my mother has addressed the issue with both Nigel and
Caroline. Mom was livid when she found out what drove you away from
here.”

I sighed. Now everyone in
the house knew about last night’s humiliating scene. It
did
make a difference.
It made a bad situation worse.

“
Trey, I have to go now.
I’m helping Becky with Christmas dinner,” I lied. “I’ll see you
when you get back from the party.”

“
Have it your way, Tylar.
I was hoping you’d be up for coming to the Andrews’ tonight. I’ll
let my parents know that we won’t be going.”

“
There’s no reason for you
to stay behind. Obviously Tess wants to see you for some reason.
Aren’t you curious to find out why she called your
office?”

“
I already know why she
called my office,” he replied as if it hadn’t been worth mentioning
before.

What the hell?

“
So you talked to her? I
thought you agreed that you weren’t going to return her
call?”

“
I didn’t return her call.
She called me again at the office a few days later. I was in and
took the call,” he replied impassively.

“
I see,” I responded
coolly. “It wasn’t worth mentioning to me?”

“
It has nothing to do with
you, Tylar. She had a legal matter to discuss.”

“
What kind of a legal
matter?” I dared him to tell me it was none of my
business.

“
I’m not at liberty to
discuss this with you. I’m sorry.”

“
Fine,” I snapped. “I’ll
see you later Trey.” I powered off my phone and tried my best to
put everything out of my mind for the day. Becky’s nephew Nate and
his family arrived mid-afternoon. I immediately fell in love with
their newborn son, holding him as often as Nate’s wife Julie
allowed.

She was breastfeeding the
baby and I had lots of questions for her. Seeing her holding her
tiny son against her breast and witnessing the bond between them
stirred something deep within me. What could possibly be more
beautiful than that? I was suddenly overwhelmed with emotions:
longing, loneliness, isolation. How did things get so messed
up?

Becky drove me back to the
manor shortly after 7 p.m. The lights were lit at the front door,
but I suspected everyone was gone except for the staff. I hugged
Becky, thanking her for her hospitality.

To my surprise, Tristan
opened the door for me. He wore black trousers and a white oxford
shirt under a grey v-neck sweater.

“
Tristan,” I stammered,
“hasn’t the family left for the party?”

“
They have,” he replied,
smiling, “I stayed behind to take care of some pressing
business.”

I wondered what kind of
pressing business he would have to take care of on Christmas Day.
“Did Trey go with them?”

“
He’s upstairs,” Tristan
answered nodding toward the staircase, “I think he’s waiting for
you. I’m leaving now, so Merry Christmas, Tylar. Maybe I’ll see you
both later?”

I looked up and saw the
compassion in his eyes. He knew what had happened. I felt my cheeks
redden.

“
You know sometimes things
aren’t nearly as horrific as we imagine. I think Trey really wants
to talk to you. I won’t keep you.” He turned and was out the door.
I climbed the stairs apprehensively, unsure what to expect when I
saw Trey. Although I hated this feeling of isolation, I was still
bothered that Trey had not shared with me his conversation with his
ex-fiancé. Was that really so unreasonable? Apart from Caroline
trying to alienate me from Trey and his family, I now had to
contend with Tess?

Trey was fully dressed and
lounging on his bed when I entered. He stood slowly, closing the
distance between us. I drank in his nearness, wanting to initiate
contact but unsure of what his reaction would be.

“
I missed you today,” he
said, wrapping his arms around me. “I’ve been an ass, according to
Tristan anyway.”

“
What?” I asked,
puzzled.

Trey smiled, lifting my
hand to his face, brushing his lips across my knuckles. “Yes. He
gave me a well-deserved lecture. That’s why he stayed behind,
insisting I do the same,” he smiled. “It seems you have captivated
yet another Sinclair man, Tylar. Tristan was extremely succinct in
explaining how I handled, or should I say, ‘mishandled’ everything
yesterday.”

“
Stop,” I said, placing my
hand flat against his chest. “This isn’t just about the Caroline
situation. This has just as much to do with Tess contacting you and
you keeping it from me.”

“
I explained the
conversation is privileged, Tylar.”

“
So, she’s your client
then?”

“
Not officially, she did
seek some advice from me.”

“
Then there’s no
attorney-client privilege.”

Trey couldn't hide his
increasing frustration with me. “Christ Tylar! I’m trying to
apologize here. I’ve already told you that my conversation with
Tess is confidential. End of discussion. Get dressed. We’re going
to the Andrews’ party and I expect you ready in 15 minutes. Please
don’t keep me waiting.”

Trey turned on his heel
and exited the room, leaving me red-faced and boiling mad. I gave
myself several minutes to cool down. I considered my options, a
feeling of defiance coming over me. Perhaps a party was just what
the doctor ordered, I thought. This might prove to be an
enlightening event. I was definitely not comfortable playing the
injured party role, so I decided right then and there to
stop.

But I
will
look as hot as humanly possible
tonight, I vowed. I pulled out the short black velvet cocktail
dress that I'd bought in Atlanta before Christmas. It was
sleeveless, with a sprinkling of silver sparkles in snowflake
patterns. I wore a tailored black velvet bolero jacket over it and
accessorized with a dainty silver chain and silver snowflake
earrings. I pulled on my black lacey thigh highs and stepped into
my four-inch spiked ‘fuck me’ pumps. I touched up my make-up and
released my hair from the french braid, finger combing it into
waves so it framed my face. I approved of the wild and dangerous
look I saw in the mirror. That was exactly the look I needed to
survive this messed-up party.

I descended the stairs as
Trey paced in the foyer. He turned to watch me, his face
appreciative as his eyes appraised me from top to bottom. They
rested on my overflowing bosom. His eyes darkened discernibly. That
was exactly the reaction I'd hoped to achieve. I glimpsed a slight
frown crease his otherwise perfect forehead.

Trey went to the closet,
pulling my long black wool coat out and holding it up for me. He
watched as I fanned my hair out from underneath the collar of my
coat as I buttoned it up.

“
What’d you do to your
hair?” he asked.

“
Since I had no time to
flat iron it,” I replied, “I just unbraided it and brushed it out.
Why, don’t you like it?”

“
I do,” he replied
quickly, “It actually makes you look, I don’t know, like a
different person almost.”

“
Good,” I replied, “that’s
the look I’m going for.”

Trey’s eyes narrowed
infinitesimally at me. He placed his hand on the small of my back
as he escorted me to his Lamborghini.

We rode in silence to the
Andrews’ house, which was no more than a couple of miles away. A
multitude of vehicles had parked on both sides of the circular
drive leading up to the impressive mansion. Trey helped me from the
car, wrapping an arm around my shoulder as we made our way up the
drive to the well-lit entrance. A servant greeted us, allowing us
entrance into the front foyer. Trey helped me with my coat, handing
it to the waiting servant. Party guests milled about in a huge room
off to the right. Music emanated from an adjoining room. I strained
to spot a familiar face. My eyes fell upon Susan, who was waving me
over to the group of people standing with her. I hurried over, not
willing to be tied to Trey’s side all evening.

Susan introduced me to
several of the neighbors as I was already part of the
family.

Clive approached the
group, giving me a warm hug and kiss on the cheek. “Merry
Christmas, Tylar, we missed you today. Are you feeling better?” I
could see the warmth and compassion in his eyes.

“
Much better, Clive, thank
you,” I replied honestly. It was good to be out of hiding, I
decided.

There was a tap on my
shoulder. I turned, looking up into Tristan’s emerald green eyes.
He was almost as exquisite as Trey. “May I have a dance before you
become my sister-in-law and it’s hands-off?” He gave me a
mischievous grin, holding his hand out. As we danced, he leaned
down, whispering in my ear, “Don’t worry about the skinny bitch.”
His warm breath made me shiver, his hand rubbed my back gently to
offer moral support, I presumed. “She knows better than to say one
wrong word to you, trust me.”