I slipped into my shoes, quickly ran a brush through my hair, and then checked myself in the mirror once more. Stellan was standing behind me, looking at me in the mirror over my shoulder. "Will you stay with me tonight?" I asked, looking into his eyes.
He nodded, his eyes serious as they looked into mine. "Always."
"Well, here goes nothing." I headed out into the hallway and Renn was there waiting for me.
"Ready?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
I nodded as a small smile spread across my lips. "How did I get so lucky to have you as a brother?"
He smirked. "And don't you ever forget it," he teased, pulling me in for a quick hug. "But I'm pretty lucky to have you, too." He smiled as he motioned with his head toward living room. "Let's go before Mom has a fit."
"I will not have a fit." When I looked down the hallway, Mom was standing there with her hands on her hips with her lips pursed.
Renn and I looked at each other and burst out laughing.
"Okay, kids. Stop torturing your mother and let's go," Father said behind her, his voice serious.
Although we could tease Shay's mother, her father was another thing. On the rare occasions when he did give an order, it was to be followed.
We headed out to the car and were on our way in Father's Mercedes a few moments later.
No one said anything on the way. I just hoped that Amelia really wasn't trying to set Shay up with some guy just because of his status and because she was pregnant.
On the way, I couldn't help but think of Jack. I hoped that Shay and Jack could work it out. He seemed like such a nice guy and he would be perfect for Shay. Also, she really did love him. I knew that Shay had always had a fondness for Jack before, even though she didn't want to admit it, preferring the wilder guys. But now, after everything that's happened, I know that she really loves him. And if they got together, that love would continue to grow.
Within minutes, Kent pulled the car to a stop in front of the Club and a valet rushed to open his door.
"Good evening, Mr. Clark," he said, taking his keys as he slid out of the car. "Here for dinner tonight with the family?"
Kent nodded. "Yes." He gave the valet a sly smile. "Take care of my baby for me, will you?" Then he discretely slipped a bill into his hand.
"Yes sir," he replied. "Be glad to."
When we walked in, the Club was opulent and reeked of taste. A crystal chandelier hung in the foyer and to the right were smoked glass double doors that led to the restaurant, and to the left was a sitting area where men and women talked in intimate groupings. But we headed straight to the restaurant.
"Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Clark," the maître 'd said when we entered. "You have reservations for tonight?"
When I looked around, there was a lot of vacant tables, but the Club members preferred to keep the restaurant as reservations only.
Kent stepped forward. "Yes, for seven o'clock."
The maître 'd quickly checked the roster. "Ah, yes. We were expecting you." Then he picked up four menus and smiled. "Right this way."
"Excuse me, but we have reservations for five tonight," Amelia interjected. "There will be another gentleman joining us."
"Of course," I mumbled, rolling my eyes.
Amelia glanced over and gave me a dirty look.
"And his name?" The maître 'd raised his eyebrows raising expectantly.
"Logan West." Amelia looked over at me as if daring me to say anything.
"Very well, madame," the maître 'd said. "I will escort Mr. West to your table as soon as he arrives. Right this way." He headed off without a second look, expecting us to follow.
Amelia hung back and took my arm. "Do not embarrass me tonight, Shay. We come here frequently so don't embarrass me."
I stopped in my tracks and scoffed. "Embarrass you? So, me being pregnant is an embarrassment?"
She took my arm and led me toward the table. "Don't start. Just be on your best behavior tonight."
A distance away, Renn looked behind at us and narrowed his eyes, wondering what was going on. But I shook my head, silently telling him that everything was alright.
"So, what can I get for you to drink this evening?" the maître 'd asked.
"I'll take a glass of your finest champagne," I said as a jab at Shay's mother. "Oh, wait! I can't! I'm pregnant!" I tilted my head to the side and smiled. In reality, Shay was much more outgoing than I was. On this jump, I was learned how to stand up for myself from Shay.
Renn burst out laughing but coughed to cover it.
"Yes," the maître 'd replied, "so what would you like instead?"
"Sweet tea with lemon is fine," I replied.
"Dear," Amelia said, her voice like syrup. "Don't you think you should drink sugarless tea? After all, we women have to watch our figures."
But I shook my head as a broad smile spread across my face. "Nope! During this pregnancy, I plan to get good and fat."
"Shay," Father warned, his voice low. Shay's mom fumed, but said nothing, not wanting to make a scene. Then her father looked up and smiled. "A beer for me, please."
"Imported, of course," Mom interjected.
"And for you, sir?" the maître 'd asked Renn.
"I'll have a beer, too." Renn smiled, closing his menu.
"Very well, then," the maître 'd replied. "And for you, madame?"
"Champagne, please," she replied, closing her menu.
The maître 'd raised his eyebrows expectantly. "The brand?"
"Dom Perignon," she replied.
"Of course," Kent replied, folding his menu.
Amelia gave him a dirty look across the table, narrowing her eyes.
"Very well, then," the maître 'd replied. "I'll be right back."
Amelia grabbed my arm as soon as he walked away. "You will not embarrass me tonight!"
"Amelia!" Kent said, glaring at her in warning. "Let her go."
But I pulled my arm away. "Don't talk to me that way again."
Amelia looked around to make sure no one was watching and then leaned in close. "This is your one chance, and you will not ruin it."
"Amelia," Kent said, leaning across the table, looking straight into her eyes. "Don't do this."
"Kent, stay out of this." She glared at him. "I know what's best for her."
He raised an eyebrow. "Oh? The way your parents knew what was best for you?"
She gasped, her eyes wide with shock and then she looked over at me. "You told him?"
I quickly shook my head. "I said nothing."
A crease formed between Renn's eyes. "Told him what?"
"Nothing," I quickly replied.
Amelia looked over at her husband, her eyes wide in disbelief. "You knew? All this time, you knew?"
He sighed. "I figured it out right after Renn was born."
"And you said nothing." She quickly snapped her menu closed, the leather binder making a popping sound.
"What's going on?" Renn asked, looking back and forth between them.
"Nothing," Kent replied and then he looked up at Amelia. "We will discuss this later." It was a warning, and the way he said it closed the subject.
From what little I knew of Shay's father I was surprised that he had actually stood up to his wife like that. Usually, he liked to remain in blissfully ignorance in order to keep the status quo. But not this time. I was glad to see that when push came to shove, he was willing to stand up for us daughter… even against his wife.
Ready or not, this was the moment of truth.