Beth smiled, enjoying the easy conversation with Nick’s mother. “Yes, I’ve always admired Suzy’s unique style. No matter what she wears, she looks great. I could never pull off stuff like she does.”
“Are you kidding? Beth, you are gorgeous, and a paper sack would look good on you. I really admire you. I don’t think anything in your life has come easy, and look at you today. You have accomplished so much. I can see why Nick is attracted to you.” Then, with a sly laugh, she added, “We won’t mention the obvious reasons that you turn his head. I have a feeling that you could give my son a run for his money any day of the week and he needs that. I don’t know your plans for the future or even if you and Nick have discussed them, but John and I look forward to you and the babies being a big part of our life always.”
Beth was starting to tear up when Nick and his father walked up. His father pulled her into a warm hug and then put his arm around his wife. “Honey, we need to go. You know my parents will be in first thing tomorrow and we probably both need some sleep for that.”
With a dramatic shudder, Nick’s mother said, “Great, thanks for ruining a perfectly good evening with that reminder.” Turning to Nick and Beth, she said, “Okay, I need to get home and have a stiff drink or four before tomorrow. You two are more than welcome to come for a visit, like right now.”
“Oh, no.” Nick laughed. “Nothing but love for you, Mom, but you are on your own there.”
“I’m going to pretend I don’t hear this conversation about my parents,” Nick’s father said wryly.
As they were getting into their car, Beth saw Declan walking Ella toward her car. She urged Nick to leave quickly to give them some privacy. Maybe this would be the night that Ella’s dreams came true as well. Of course, she also couldn’t deny that the phrase Be careful what you wish for kept running through her mind as she worried about Ella’s situation.
Chapter Twenty-two
Beth walked up to the receptionist’s desk on Monday for her usual morning chat with Ella. The depressed expression on her friend’s face told her all she needed to know. Smiling brightly, Beth said, “Hey, girl, how was your weekend?”
Ella gave her a wan smile in return. “It was all right. I really enjoyed the wedding. Do you know where Suzy and Gray went for their honeymoon yet?”
“Nick said they are in Bora Bora.”
“Wow,” Ella gasped, clearly impressed.
“Yep. As long as they have a beach, my sister will be in heaven. You would think she’d get tired of the ocean since she practically lives on top of it. So, how did things go with Declan Saturday night?”
Ella laid her head in her hands and sighed. “The dance was wonderful and we talked, but I felt like he wanted to walk away the whole time. I caught him looking at me funny a few times so I tried to ask if he had something on his mind. He said he was thinking about something at work. I just don’t understand why he suddenly won’t talk to me anymore. I have gone over and over it in my mind and I can’t think of anything I said that would have offended him.”
“Oh, Ella, I don’t think you said or did anything. I saw him looking at you Saturday night and he clearly feels something toward you. What, I don’t know, but there is something there.”
“Well, what should I do?”
Giving her friend a hug, Beth said, “I know you don’t want to hear this, but do nothing. Declan is nervous or scared of something. Give him some time and space. When he does come around, be friendly. See if you can get back to a comfortable relationship with him. Don’t ask him for anything, most of all for a date. You need to see if he will let his guard down again.”
“Geez, maybe life was easier when I was clueless about men. It’s hard to play all these games. I have bought every book and every magazine and I still don’t know what I should be doing,” Ella admitted.
Beth hid a smile behind her hand. “I know it’s hard, and I’m far from an expert. I don’t have much more experience than you do. Nick is my longest relationship ever. Before I met him, I had never been involved with anyone more than a month. I wish I could tell you that it will get easier.”
“It is easier for you now with Nick, right?”
Beth pondered Ella’s question. “Hmmm, well I guess parts of it are. I’m comfortable with him and he’s a straightforward guy. There are times he still puzzles me though, and I know I confuse the hell out of him.”
“Oh, great. When do things get easier, then?”
Beth laughed. “If you’re lucky . . . never!”
* * *
Beth worked her ass off for the two weeks that Suzy was on her honeymoon. She went into the office early and fell exhausted into bed every evening. The one positive was that she had replaced her morning sickness with sex. Since she barely saw Nick in the evening, she made sure she woke him in the morning.