Only Leah wasn’t crying. Leah was laughing.
She was laughing so that tears were running down her cheeks. “Ohmigod,” she squealed, pressing a hand to her belly. “Could we possibly have made a more dramatic exit, do you think?”
Michael sighed with relief and shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
She squealed again, pressed both hands to her belly, and her head fell against the headrest. Through her laughter she said, “That . . . was the . . . most . . . unbelievable . . . scene ever!”
It was pretty spectacular.
She stopped laughing and slanted him a look as she tried to catch her breath. “How long have you been dating Nina?”
“It was our second date.”
Leah gasped and looked at him, her crystal-blue eyes shining, and then howled again. When the laughter had finally subsided, she wiped the tears from her cheeks and smiled at him. “God, I love you Michael, I do. I don’t ever want to be without you. I don’t care how many other women there were, or how many Juan Carlos’s, I don’t care. I just want to be with you. I want to be shiny again.”
That admission filled Michael with lightness of being and a connection that sank its tentacles deep into his soul and heart. Leah would always be his. He would always have somewhere and someone to belong to.
“I love you, too, baby. That’s all I’ve wanted, is to hear you say you love me, too.”
She reached for him at the same moment he reached for her, their mouths seeking each other, their hands groping for each other.
Until Leah began to laugh into his mouth again. She pulled away and grinned up at him. “I won’t be able to show my face on the set again. Did you hear Ted point out the ummph in our acting skills?” she asked, and they both burst into laughter.
Chapter Thirty-One
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Wedding Recap From: Leah Kleinschmidt <[email protected]>
To: Lucy Frederick <[email protected]>
Time: 10:04 am
No, I didn’t hear anyone talking about how bad the veal was, Lucy. I think that is all in your head. The veal was fine. Everything was beautiful. You were beautiful. Even the stupid red dresses, which I so will NOT wear again, were beautiful. I think you can finally put this obsession with your wedding behind you and go on to something else, like what you’re going to name your first kid.
P.S. I TOLD YOU Michael was a great guy! You were practically drooling all over your wedding dress.
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Wedding Recap From: Lucy Frederick <[email protected]>
To: Leah Kleinschmidt <[email protected]>
Time: 1:12 pm
I know the red dresses were beautiful. That’s what I’ve been telling you for like two years, but you never listen. And I’m sorry, but I think the veal was a little gamey. I am writing my wedding coordinator, because I don’t think she should use that caterer again. That was a lot of money to spend on gamey veal. We’ve got our pictures back from Fiji, BTW. I have attached several.
Yeah, yeah, okay, Michael was great. He really was. I am glad I finally got a chance to spend a little time with him, because I would hate to show up to your wedding and not like the groom. And yes, I would to be happy to be your matron of honor! Gawd, Leah, I can’t believe you are actually getting married! Yiiiippppeeeee!
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Wedding Recap
From: Leah Kleinschmidt <[email protected]>
To: Lucy Frederick <[email protected]>
Time: 10:23 am
I know, I can’t believe it either! I have a new friend here who is going to coordinate it (she did the big Olivia Dagwood and Vincent Vittorio wedding that fell through— remember, the one where they got stuck in the mountains and it was all over the news?). Anyway, Marnie said I need to pick out my colors so we can start working on a theme. So, I have attached some colors and dresses I sort of like for the bridesmaids. Since you like red so much, what do you think of rose? Don’t hold back. Tell me what you really like and don’t like.
P.S. I’m so excited!!!!!
Subject: Re: Anniversary Party
From: Michael <[email protected]>
To: Jack <[email protected]>
Eli <[email protected]>
Coop <[email protected]>
Time: 2:13 pm