Page 19 of The Wedding

“How is our dearest Etta?” She didn’t waste any time.

The only reason Jamie revealed as much as she did was because Monique was also a confidant of Etta’s. The only reason Monique hadn’t heard itfrom her first was because of how busy – and sick – Etta was.

“I was afraid that would happen, but I was not about to convince her to stay with Jacqueline.”

“Neither was I.”

“Except Etta can’t rule that empire by herself. She needs someone just as good and rich as Jacqueline, but not a fucking psychopath.”

Jamie stared at her.

“What? Fuck. Fucking fuck fuck.” Monique glanced at her bulge. “She’s heard it a million times. As long as she knows not to say it in front of company, I won’t clap my hands over her little virgin ears.”

“She? You found out already?”

Monique hung her head in self-admonishment. “I was gonna keep that a secret…”

“You’re getting bad at secrets in your married life.” Nevertheless, Jamie grinned to imagine Monique with a little girl.That would suit her best, for sure. Little Girl Warner would grow up to be one of the most refined and courteous women in America with Helen and Monique as her parents. “Does Helen know?”

“Helen can’t talk about the baby for two minutes before getting so excited I completely lose her. The bigger I get, the worseshegets.”

“Oh, the horror.”

“I know! Sometimes a woman wants to get the whole trust fund and nursery thing out of the way. Kinda hard to do with a grown-ass woman losing her mind at the thought of finally being a parent. If I knew that was one of her biggest ambitions…”

Jamie couldn’t help what came out of her mouth next. “Has anyone told you that pregnancy hormones make you rather irritable?”

“Every fucking day. I’ve turned into a well-dressed monster with manners.” Monique snatched a sugar packet and caved, dumping untold amounts of white crystals into her tea. “There. I’d like thatdoctor to be pregnant for two months without sugar in his tea.”

“I bet your employees are very pleased with the new you.”

“They’re distracted with the new girl I finally hired. A real spitfire. They’re dividing into teams and turning everything into a competition. Whatever. More money for me, the more they fight over those clients.” Monique took a large gulp of her tea and quickly changed subjects. “So, tell me more about how things are going with you and Etta. Did that bouquet I subtly tossed get anything moving?”

“What do you mean?”

Monique’s cheeky grin dropped to a frown. “I mean has that dolt proposed to you yet.” There was no inflection at the end of her statement.

Jamie was forced to look away before she choked to death.That was forward, even for her. No more Miss Subtle Monique. Marriage and pregnancy had made her blunter than Jamie’s old kitchen knives. “I can’t say she has, no.” Jamie cleared her throat. “I mean, I’m not expecting her to… anytime soon. Right now, she’s so involved with work and keeping the business running that we barely have time to… you know…”

“No. Don’t imply such a drastic thing.”

“Well, we did…” She said a few things about what transpired after Monique’s wedding.

“Excellent. I told Helen I hoped couples were getting it on.” Monique eyed another sugar packet. Jamie pulled the basket away.

“Yes, and that was the last time anything fun like that happened.”

“You’re kidding.”

“I wish.”

Monique’s expression suggested that Jamie was heretical.

“We took turns being sick, and she’s so busy…”

“What about you? It’s not all about her and what she needs. Of course, she’s tired. She’s an involved CEO. That’s no excuse to not tend toyourneeds. Do I need to talk to her?”

“No!” The last thing Jamie wanted was her girlfriend’s pregnant and married ex waltzing into the office and chastising her for not sticking anything in or going down on her girlfriend often enough. The way the hormonal Mrs. Warner now was, she was probably liable to start smacking Etta with sugar packets and adorable baby booties. Maybe a crowbar.That would put Etta out of her misery.“I mean… that’s kind of you since you know her so well, but…”