Page 51 of Pretty Desperate (Pine Village #6)
KAMERON
T his is it.
The night I’ve been waiting for, working toward, dreaming about.
The night before we officially open the new addition to the restaurant, and those I love are here to celebrate.
I prepared a spread of food to feed an army, and my kitchen staff will be watching to make sure everything is stocked and taken care of.
The bar is open, serving wine, mixed drinks, and beer, along with an assortment of non-alcoholic drinks.
Jillian has been right by my side the entire night, as I’ve greeted guests and thanked them for their support.
She’s been a trooper, never once complaining about standing, but maybe that’s because I’m keeping a close eye on her.
I make sure she has something to drink, a plate of food, and a chair to sit in if needed. She’s my top priority.
Her and our babies.
Speaking of which, Baby A and Baby B are both growing well.
She’s just over four months pregnant now, and finally past the nausea stage.
Her appetite has increased tenfold and so has her sexual drive.
Not that I’m complaining. Not in the least. In fact, I rather like her increased libido, especially now that she’s showing.
I can’t keep my hands off her, especially the swell of her belly.
I’m practically a walking hard-on every time I see her.
“How are you holding up?” Jillian asks me, stepping up to my side and slipping her arm around my waist.
“I should be asking you that,” I insist, turning so we’re belly to belly and threading my arms around her.
“I’m fine, promise.”
She’s been feeling pretty good lately, but I still insist she takes breaks throughout her day.
Tonight, she looks sinful in a black wrap dress that hugs her growing stomach and shows off the bump she’s sporting.
Just seeing her is an aphrodisiac, and the only reason I’m not dragging her off to my office to bend her over my desk is because someone in this room full of people would see and comment.
Everyone is here.
Jillian’s parents, our friends, my staff, and a few townspeople who made this dream a reality.
Mrs. Krokus shines like a diamond in her navy blue and gold dress.
She sits at a table with the mayor and the loan officer I used to finance this building, and I can tell from all the way across the room, she’s charming the men with her quick wit and smile.
“You about ready to speak?” Jillian asks me, drawing my attention.
“I think so,” I reply, checking my watch and noting the time. I start to get a little panicky that my special guest isn’t going to show up.
As if I conjured her from my brain, the door opens and a well-dressed woman in a business suit steps inside and takes in the restaurant.
“I wonder who that is?” Jillian asks, obviously noticing the new addition right away.
“I’ll go find out. Why don’t you grab me a bottle of water before I go up and give my speech?”
There’s hesitation in her green eyes, but she nods and walks over to where we have the bar set up.
“Mr. Markley?” the woman I know as Janice asks as she approaches.
“Yes, and you must be Janice Decker.”
“Pleasure to finally meet you,” she replies, shaking my hand. “You have a beautiful place here.”
“Thank you. I’m getting ready to address the room, but I hope you’ll stay and have some refreshments before you head back to New York.”
Janice explained to me she’s on a tight schedule but wanted to personally stop in and meet Jillian following a meeting in Los Angeles. She has approximately an hour before she needs to leave to return her rental car in St. Paul and catch her next flight.
She gives me a warm smile. “It smells amazing in here. Hopefully I have a little time to enjoy some of your food before I need to go.”
“Let’s get this show on the road,” I state before Jillian returns.
She glances around me curiously, eyeing the woman who just arrived, but doesn’t say anything. “Ready, sweetheart?”
“Yes,” she replies, handing over the bottle of water.
I take a quick sip before recapping the bottle and taking her hand. “Let’s do this.”