Before We Kiss (Fool's Gold #14)(49)

“I’m pretty sure I’m with them,” she said. “I’ll find my way.”

Sure enough, her friends lined both sides of a large table. Taryn and Larissa sat on either side of Lark. Felicia, Patience and Isabel had joined them, along with Bailey and Consuelo. The only empty chair was directly across from Lark.

Dellina glanced at Taryn, who smiled innocently while motioning to the seat.

“We saved this for you,” Taryn murmured.

“Gee, thanks.”

Lark smiled at her. “Dellina. It’s so nice to see you again. Reggie and I enjoyed our dinner so much. The food was delightful, as was the company.”

“Thanks for your help with everything,” she said, thinking that when Lark wasn’t being outrageous, she was really nice. “Are you ready for your signing tonight?”

“Yes. There will be a question and answer session first. I always adore those. With prepared remarks I never know if I’m engaging the audience. But when they ask me questions, I know they’re interested in the conversation. It’s much more fun for all of us.”

The server appeared with two large pitchers of margaritas. Before Dellina could say anything, the glass in front of her was full. Taryn smiled.

“You weren’t thinking of working this afternoon, were you?”

“I don’t have a choice.” Dellina eyed the massive drink. “I’m going to be very careful.”

When everyone had been served, Lark raised her glass. “To new friends and a life well lived.”

They touched glasses and drank. Dellina took a sip and felt it slide down all too easily. This could be dangerous, she thought.

Bailey was next to her. The other woman leaned over. “How’s the party? I’m hearing it’s going to be great.”

“Fingers crossed,” Dellina told her. “I’m in the panic stage. It all starts tomorrow. I hope I’m ready.” She smiled. “How are you doing? Has Mayor Marsha left on her vacation?”

“A couple of days ago. I’m nervous about keeping everything running smoothly, but the whole city government staff is helping out. I just want to get through these couple of weeks without a crisis.”

“I hear you.”

They touched glasses and sipped again. Dellina felt a little of her tension fade. Maybe one margarita wouldn’t be so bad, she thought. It could take the edge off.

The server came and they placed their orders.

Lark smiled at Taryn. “You’re doing so well. Happy and in love. It suits you. Any plans to get pregnant soon?”

Dellina had to give Taryn credit—she didn’t even blink at the personal question.

“Angel and I are still having that conversation.”

“While the need to procreate is biological,” Felicia offered, “it’s not universal. Generally people who don’t want children have found satisfaction with an intense career or are in the arts. Something about creating another way. There are also studies that indicate a traumatic childhood can lessen the desire to have children.” She paused and looked at Consuelo. “Did I say too much?”

Consuelo picked up her margarita. “No. You said exactly the right thing. People choose to have a family or not for different reasons.”

Felicia, very pregnant herself and drinking herbal tea, looked relieved. “Yes, that’s it. Gideon and I knew that we wanted a family. We were blessed with Carter from the start and now we have our daughter on the way.”

“Children are a blessing,” Lark said. “Reggie and I wanted at least two. Of course, having girls meant we had to make a run at a boy. Then we had Sam.”

Her smile turned wistful. “He was such a sweet little boy. How he adored his older sisters and he desperately wanted to be playing with them all the time. But he was sick so much.” She looked around the table. “Asthma. It was horrible. He would turn blue and we would race him to the hospital. A couple of times we thought we were going to lose him.”

Taryn reached for Lark’s hand and squeezed it. “You didn’t, though.”

“I know. He grew big and strong.” Lark’s mouth straightened. “And then he wanted to play football. I knew sports were in his blood. The whole family was athletic. But I couldn’t stand the thought of him risking himself like that. Kicking was a compromise and he turned out to be a star at it.”

Chips and salsa were delivered to the table, along with big bowls of guacamole. Taryn visibly flinched. “My downfall on the calorie front,” she murmured, pushing the guacamole away. “Some of my skirts are getting tight.”

“If you breathe correctly, you can increase your calorie burn during sex,” Lark told her, reaching for a chip. “I’ll show you later.”

“I look forward to it,” Taryn said.

Dellina shook her head. The truth was Reggie and Lark were loving parents who had a quirky way of looking at things. They weren’t bad, they were just...different.

* * *

AFTER LUNCH, DELLINA walked out with Patience.

“The T-shirts are in,” her friend told her. “I got a text during lunch.”

One of the thrills of small-town living, she thought. Her T-shirt order had been delivered to Patience’s store because the delivery guy was already going to Brew-haha, anyway, so why not?