The Exhibitionist
Page 40

Abby broke into my train of thought by saying, “I’m thinking it might be too strange to play with someone from the Partners group.”
“In that case, what do you think of Luke?” I asked.
She was silent again before answering, “I don’t know. Let me think on that. Would it create tension between me and Meagan?”
“You wouldn’t have to tell her. In fact, I don’t really see why you would. It’s not any of her business.”
She nodded idly. “How soon?”
How soon would you like? The question hovered on my lips. “I’m not sure. Why don’t you think about if you’d like the third to be Luke and once we decide on that, we’ll worry about a time?”
“Will you tell me what your plans are for the scene?”
I smiled in spite of my thoughts. “Have I ever told you ahead of time what I plan to do in a scene?”
“Well, no. I just—”
“Then why would I start now?”
She looked as if she’d just been caught stealing a cookie. I had to hand it to her, she usually tried to slyly get information out of me. It never worked. But she was persistent.
“You know me too well when I’m trying to be sneaky,” she said. “Maybe I should distract you with sex next time.”
“You’re more than welcome to try.” I stood up. “I’m going to take Apollo outside if you’d like to distract me in the backyard.”
I hadn’t gone too far down the hall when I heard her footsteps following me and I smiled at the thought of the fun we’d have outside.
Chapter Twelve
ABBY
The weather the weekend of Jeff and Dena’s wedding was like one of those summer days you wished would never end. Though it had been a hot summer, the meteorologist’s forecast predicted a comfortable seventy degrees with a light breeze. The reception was planned to be held outside at a country club, and Dena had been worried all week it would end up raining anyway.
“This is perfect weather for the reception,” I said to Julie as we sat in a small room at the back of the church helping Dena.
“Did you and Nathaniel get married in the summer?” she asked.
“No.” I shook my head. “In the winter, but our wedding was perfect. I wouldn’t change anything.”
“As it should be,” she agreed.
I looked over to Dena. The wedding wasn’t for another hour, but she was dressed and ready. Her makeup and hair looked perfect. Her outside was radiant. Inside was a different story. She shifted from one foot to the other, refusing to sit down, and her eyes kept glancing at the clock. I was just getting ready to ask her if she was okay when she spoke first.
“Say something,” she begged us, looking from me to Julie to Sasha to her Domme friend, Kelly, and back to me again. “Anything.”
“I don’t know why you’re so nervous,” Kelly said, placing a hand on her shoulder. “You’re finally marrying Jeff.”
Dena shook her head. “I’m not nervous about Jeff. It’s my dad.”
“He decided to come?” I asked. Last I heard, Senator Jenkins had made it crystal clear he would not be present today. I wasn’t sure why Dena’s father didn’t like Jeff. What wasn’t to like about him?
“No, Mom called and said he was feeling light-headed and disoriented.” She took a deep breath. “She knows today’s my wedding day and that Jeff and I are going away for a week. I swear that man will end up in the hospital today just to spite me.”
“Oh my God,” Julie said, the rest of us being unable to find words. “How long have you known and why didn’t you tell us?”
“I figured she was just making it up, but the longer I sit here, the more I think, What if he’s really sick and I don’t go? I need Jeff.”
“Have you told him?” I asked.
“No, I don’t want it to spoil his day even if it spoils mine.”
Kelly looked at me over Dena’s head and mouthed, Go get him.
I nodded and left the room before Dena could try and stop me.
Nathaniel and Cole stood in the hallway outside the room Daniel and Jeff were in. The two men were laughing over something, but their expressions sobered when they saw me.
“Abby?” Nathaniel said, crossing the last few steps as quickly as he could. “What’s wrong?”
I nodded toward the closed door. “Is Jeff in there? Dena needs him.”
“Before the wedding?” Cole asked. “Isn’t that against the rules?”
“Her mother called and said her dad is having some neurological symptoms. Dena didn’t tell anyone and now she’s freaking out.”
“Bloody hell,” Cole said.
Nathaniel knocked on the door. “Jeff? We need you out here.”
The door opened and Jeff looked out into the hallway, all smiles and happiness. At least until he saw me. “Is Dena okay? Is it the baby?”
“Senator Jenkins,” I said. “He—”
“He’s here?”
“No, Dena’s mom called and said he’s light-headed and disoriented.” At my words, he started walking down the hall to where the women were getting ready. I walked after him. “She just told us, I don’t know how long ago she got the call.”
He knocked on the door. “Angel?”
Kelly let him in, motioning for Julie and Sasha to join us in the hallway, leaving the couple alone. I saw Dena stand and Jeff’s arms encircle her before the door closed. The rest of us stood in the hallway, not saying anything, not really knowing what to say.
I didn’t know the senator. I’d only heard bits and pieces through gossip. I couldn’t imagine he would pretend to have neurological problems just to cause his daughter stress on her wedding day. But that was the funny thing about people, you never really knew what they were capable of.
“If he’s faking, I’ll fucking kill him,” Cole said. “Doesn’t he know what he’s doing to her?”
“He probably doesn’t care,” Daniel said. “It’s killing him she’s marrying Jeff. Hasn’t even said anything to her about the baby, his own grandchild. And he has to know what losing the last one did to her.”
“I just want her to be happy.” Julie moved to stand next to Daniel and he put his arm around her. “That guy is toxic. And so is her mom for putting up with it.”