“She is. She can’t wait to meet you. They will be here a week before the wedding.” I paused to change the subject. “Ellen, you can think of this as gaining a daughter. You’ve been so kind to me since the moment we met. I was worried that you wouldn’t approve of me, but you welcomed me with open arms. You have no idea how relieved I was. And you have no idea how much I’m grateful for all of your help.”

Ellen chuckled lightly. “How ironic. I was worried you wouldn’t like me. Because to tell you the truth, I didn’t like my mother-in-law.”

“Really?” I let out a snort.

“Don’t tell Max that. He loved his grandmother. But as a mother-in-law, she wanted things her way. So the reason why I try not to say too much is that I don’t want to be like her.” Ellen smiled. “Enough of my mother-in-law. Now, you have something old. Do you have anything new, blue, or borrowed?”

“I have a blue garter,” I blurted, then became shy. I didn’t know why, but any topic that related to sex was not something I wanted to talk to Ellen about, even if it was just a garter. After all, it was her son she would be referring to. “I just need something new and borrowed.”

Just then Becky walked out in her lavender bride’s maid dress.

“You look beautiful,” I said, smiling. Becky’s dress was very similar to mine, but it didn’t flare out like a wedding dress.

“I love the dress on you,” Ellen said to Becky.

“Thank you.”

“When I was getting married many years ago, the bride’s maid dresses were horrendous. Thank God they improved over time.”

“I have to agree with you there,” Becky said.

Tina came back to make sure our dresses fit perfectly. Last week’s alteration on my dress made the dress a little tight, but not unbearable. I had lost several pounds last week from not eating well, but I was glad to have gained it back. Having the morning sickness disappear as quickly as it came made me happy. I was finally starting to enjoy having a baby inside of me.

“Shall we have lunch before you both have to be back to work?” Ellen asked.

“Sure,” Becky said. “I’m free, but I need to be back soon for the London trip. I’m taking the red eye.”

“I’m starving,” I seconded.

“Perfect. I’ll call to make a reservation.” Ellen took out her cell phone. “Why are you going to London, Becky?”

“I’m going to a book convention.”

“That sounds fun.”

Becky and I walked to the dressing room with our arms linked together. “I can’t believe it’s only two weeks away, Jenna.”

“Me, too. And I can’t believe I’m pregnant.”

Becky leaned against her dressing room door and smiled. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Thank you. And I’m glad you’re working things out with Matthew.”

“Even if Matthew and I weren’t together, I still would be there at your wedding, you know that, right? I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”

“I know,” I answered, but I wasn’t sure. “Do you love Matthew?”

“I miss him. He asked me to go with him, but I have to go to London.”

“I understand. Just remember what I said. If you love each other, then that’s all that matters.”

“But sometimes things happen you have no control over,” Becky said quickly. She got into her dressing room so fast, I didn’t have a chance to ask her what she meant by that.

Something was wrong. Becky was hiding something. I was determined to find out what.

Chapter 20

Jenna

Matthew and Becky in different countries made my heart feel uneasy. It was silly to think this way, but the distance between them seemed like it would create a barrier, and it would be harder for them to get back together. I had to stop thinking silly thoughts. Becky assured me everything was fine and they would talk things through, so why didn’t I believe her?

Since our whole office staff had gone to Australia with Matthew, I was left alone. There wasn’t much to do since May’s issue had been formatted and was ready to go. We were holding back to include the pictures from the fashion show. Though I wanted to go with my department, Max insisted that I didn’t fly. At the time we’d discussed it, I had bad morning sickness and just thinking of flying made me nauseous. I had agreed not to go without a fight.

I jumped from the sound of the phone. It seemed loud since there were no other noises besides me typing. I picked up the receiver while my heart pounded rapidly.

“Max,” I heaved.

“Jenna. Did I scare you? You sound so surprised.”

“You almost gave me a heart attack.”

“I can give you a lot more than a heart attack.”

I laughed lightly. Leave it to Max to flirt whenever he had the chance. That was one of the things I loved about him. His playful quality could sooth me anytime. “I’m going to take you up on that offer, Mr. Knight.”

A soft chuckle rang in my ear. “It will be my pleasure. Are you sitting on your chair?”

I knew where he was going with this, but I pretended not to know. “Yes, should I be sitting somewhere else?”

“Maybe you should be sprawled out on your desk ready for me. After all, there’s just you in the office and everyone else is in another country.”

“You’re terrible for letting me stay here all by myself, Mr. Knight. A girl can get really lonely in this big office all by herself.”