Catering to Three (20 page)

Kelly didn’t speak. The defeat in her eyes said it all. Julie knew that her friend’s heart was breaking for her, but it was better this way. Kelly had to think of the baby she was carrying and her family. There was no way either of them could allow anything or anyone to harm the people they loved.

“I can’t believe how great look. I’m yes, you’ve blossomed, but in

such a wonderful way. You look absolutely radiant.”

It had been four months since Kelly had told about the pregnancy and with each month and now week that passed, Kelly’s stomach grew. Julie had made it a habit to stop over to visit Kelly at least two or three nights a week. Her friend had trouble sleeping and it was nice to spend time together since she had more time on her hands now, especially at night. Worrying about her and the baby was good therapy. It helped take her mind off the loss of Noah, Mark, and Keith. But nothing, she knew, would ever be able to replace what she had lost.

“Thanks. Sometimes I feel like a beached whale, but I feel great. I think having James and Abby here has made all the difference. They take very good care of me and you’ve been fantastic.” Kelly took a sip of the healthy milkshake Julie had made her.

“I’m glad they decided to move in with you. They love you very much. I see it in everything they do and especially the way they look at you. You’re very lucky.”

James was visibly relieved that he didn’t have to hide his feelings for Julie any longer, and Abby was every bit as kind and loving as Kelly had said she was. Julie loved seeing them all together with little Anna. The baby was thriving from all the love and attention she received from her parents and now her Aunt Julie.

Kelly stretched, trying to get more comfortable on the recliner. “I am lucky. I want the same for you, too, Julie.”

“Well, we all can’t have what you have. Maybe someday my luck will change. But for now, I’m happy to be a part of your life. I’ve also been keeping in touch with my nieces and nephews via my Skype account on the computer. It’s amazing. The next time I visit they won’t see me as a stranger.”

“I know you feel like these last few months have been more than difficult for you, but the one positive is that you and your family have mended fences.”

“You’re right. And how about you? Your parents have come around and now they’re going to visit when the baby is born. If our parents have taught us one thing, it’s that when you love someone enough, you can change.”

Kelly’s parents hadn’t been exactly thrilled when she first told them about the baby and the circumstances surrounding the baby’s conception. However, after many tears and heated phone calls, they seemed ready to accept James and Abby, and not take the alternate route that could have led to an estrangement from their only daughter and grandchild.

“I’m so thankful for that. I really wanted my Mom and Dad to at least accept me for who I am regardless of their preconceived notions. I know it will take time, but at least they’re willing to try.”

“Yes, they are,” Julie said with a smile.

“I know you don’t like talking business after hours now that you feel you have to try and eliminate my stress,” Kelly said, grinning. “But how are things going from your standpoint?”

Their business’s bottom line was forever increasing. James had taken over meeting with Mark about staffing their events. It had seemed easier that way. She had also stayed away from The Barn. Whatever catering was ordered had been handled by their staff, and she had found another place to work out. Noah hadn’t used their services again, although she knew from new clients that he continued to recommend her.

“It’s going fine.” Seeing the exasperation on Kelly’s face, she added, “It really is, honest. If something was really wrong I would tell you regardless of how protective James and Abby are.”

“And you, personally, Julie. How are you holding up?”

She had thought time would help to heal her broken heart, and in some ways it had, but she still longed for them. Not a day went by that she didn’t think of something she wanted to tell Noah or share with Mark and Keith. She still longed for their lovemaking, but she had little choice but to remain strong.

“I won’t lie and say it’s been easy because it hasn’t, but I’ve accepted things and I’m moving on. Thanks for keeping your word and not trying to fix it.”

Kelly had told both James and Abby about her ill-fated love affair with the three men. To their credit, they never mentioned it to Julie, although she could swear at different times by the looks she received from them and Kelly that they were talking about her. She knew she had lost more weight, but nothing tasted good to her anymore. She supposed she was lovesick, but she kept telling herself that in time, she would be able to move on as she had told Kelly.

“I do worry about you, but I’m not obsessing over it,” she said quickly. “My biggest problem now is what to wear since I just keep getting bigger and bigger.” They both laughed.

“Soon you’ll be back in your regular clothes, and you’ll have the happy chore of figuring out how to dress the baby.”

“I can’t wait,” Kelly said eagerly. “Nature has a way of preparing you.”

They talked for a little while longer before Julie could see that Kelly was having a hard time keeping her eyes open. She gave her a kiss and told her she’d call her in the morning.

The next morning, James had asked her if she would be available to have lunch with Abby. She wanted to compare notes on their plan for a surprise baby shower for Kelly. Julie had already taken care of the venue, food, and the cake since they couldn’t expect Kelly to make her own. Abby was taking care of the guest list and the party favors. Julie called Abby to confirm. Abby suggested a restaurant where she had met with Noah, Keith, and Mark several times for lunch. Julie had wanted to ask Abby to pick another restaurant, but she couldn’t avoid places that reminded her of them forever.

Abby walked into the reception area of the restaurant a couple minutes after Julie’s arrival.

“I thought that was you walking a block or so ahead of me,” she said, giving Julie a hug, a little out of breath. “I just couldn’t catch up with you.”

Julie mentioned her name to the hostess, who said their table was ready. Once they were seated, Julie smiled expectantly at Abby. “So, how are things going?”

“Everything’s good. I can’t wait to have another baby in the house. I’m so excited.”

“I’m excited, too. Kelly’s doing so well. I can’t believe she’s seven months along already. It’s such a wonderful time.”

“For us, but unfortunately not for you.”

“I’m fine and I’m enjoying Kelly’s pregnancy, it helps take my mind off my own problems.”

“Yes, babies do take your mind off your problems.” Abby took a sip of the ice tea the waiter brought to her. “But I don’t think that’s going to work for you.”

“Let’s not talk about me, let’s talk about the party. Have you received a lot of responses?”

“Yes. Almost everyone we’ve invited said they were coming. Those who aren’t have a good excuse.”

“That’s great. Kelly is going to love this.”

“Yes. She will.” Opening her purse, she pulled out the invitation. “I forgot to give you one. Not that you need an invite. But it’s a nice keepsake.”

“I was going to ask you about that. Thank you.” Julie opened her own purse, thinking she would read it later.

“Why don’t you read it now? I know it’s a little late, but I’d like to know what you think.”

“Of course.” Julie opened the envelope and pulled out the invitation that was cream colored with a pretty little white silk bow at the top sporting little teddy bears and rocking horses that matched the edging. Julie smiled. “It’s really pretty.” She kept her head lowered and began to read. She stopped, startled. Her eyes flew to Abby’s.

“You sent this out to the guest list?”

“Yes. James and I did.”

“I don’t understand,” Julie said, feeling what she could only term as an anxiety attack coming on.

“I know you don’t. That’s why I wanted to show it to you. I should have before, but I didn’t want to upset you and that was a mistake. I know that now.”

“It says…” Julie said, trying to catch her breath.

“It says that James and I, her partners, are hosting the baby shower for Kelly and our baby along with her best friend.”

“How could you?”

“How could we not? It’s the truth and we’re not ashamed of our relationship. And it appears from the responses that no one else is judging us either, and that includes a large number of your clients.”

“How dare you take such a risk! You had no right. This is disastrous.”

“No it’s not, and we had every right.”

“You know what I did in order to keep our business from being ruined and you turn around and do something like this? I can’t believe you would be so selfish.” Julie was so angry she wanted to reach across the table and throttle Abby. Everything she had sacrificed had been for nothing.

“Before you get up and walk out, I need you to calm down and listen to me. There are things you need to know. One being that I’ve talked to Noah Jamison.”

“You’ve what?” Julie felt the blood drain from her face. She took a drink of water, wishing she had ordered a drink. Just when she thought the conversation couldn’t get any worse, Abby had the audacity to tell her she had spoken with Noah. She felt chilled to the bone.

“He’s a very nice man, but then I don’t need to tell you that. What I do need to tell you is that the situation with Deanna is nothing like you thought.”

“I can’t believe you did this. I’m actually shaking,” Julie said, holding out her hand. “I feel like I’m going to be sick.”

“You’ll listen to me because you need to. You’ve been living in a prison of your own making for too long.”

Julie sat in silence and waited for Abby to continue.

“I went to see Noah because according to Kelly, she thought he was the Alpha in your love affair. It was also his ex-wife that threatened you.”

Julie stared at Abby. She couldn’t speak from the bile she felt rising in her throat. She took a large gulp of water.

“Once I explained who I was, he saw me right away. His first concern was that something was wrong with you. Once I told him you were fine, at least physically, he was much more relaxed. He still cares for you, Julie.”

“You don’t really know that. How could he when he’s with his ex-wife now?”

“That’s your mind working overtime to convince you of something that’s not true.”

“He’s not still seeing her?”

“Absolutely not. He was never seeing her.”

Julie shook her head. “I was so sure that they were together.”

“Well, they’re not. He’s not seeing anyone and neither is Mark or Keith. You did quite a number on them.”

“I had no choice, remember? And they’ve never even tried to contact me once. I wouldn’t say that’s a sign of their devastation at my loss,” she said with ire. Where, Julie wondered, was Abby taking this? She wanted to run but she couldn’t move.

“You did have a choice and you made it. And that’s the problem.”

“No,” Julie shot back. “It would have been a problem if I hadn’t, and now you’ve undone everything I tried so hard to keep from happening by exposing Kelly and opening us up to ridicule and contempt from our clients.”

“The only person with ridicule and contempt for your lifestyle is you.”

“That’s not true! If it were, I wouldn’t have been so open and happy about you, James, and Kelly. How can you say that to me?”

“I think you are genuinely happy for us, but we’re not you. The fact is, you couldn’t accept the fact that you were in love with three men. You were ashamed of it.”

“And what makes you think you know so much? Who do you think you are judging me like this?”

“I’m your friend.”

“You know the old saying, ‘with a friend like you, who needs enemies’?”

“The last thing I am is your enemy.” Abby stopped and waved away the waiter who was just about to ask them for their order. “Noah Jamison knows all about what Deanna did to you.”

Julie gasped. She couldn’t have heard Abby right. “What did you say?”

“You heard me. Noah knows all about Deanna’s threat. Did you really think he wouldn’t figure it out? He’s a smart guy. He knows his ex-wife, and you left so suddenly after meeting her, he knew she had to have something to do with it.”

“Why didn’t he tell me?”

“I think the real question is, why didn’t you tell him?

“This is crazy. I can’t sit here and listen to this anymore. You’re talking in circles,” Julie said, continuing to stare across the table at Abby, not moving.

“Don’t you want to know more about my conversation with Noah?”

“I’m ordering a drink.” Julie motioned for the waiter who had been hovering nearby. They both quickly placed an order for lunch and drinks. Julie ordered the first thing on the menu. She didn’t care what it was since she doubted she be able to eat a bite of it.

“Like I said, Noah’s a smart guy,” Abby began, “and it didn’t take him long to confront Deanna. She’s not as tough as you think. I don’t think it took him long to get to the truth or to end whatever aspirations she held for him as a man or her publisher. He also made sure that she would keep her mouth shut about you. Not that he cared about himself or the other two men since they’ve never hid their lifestyle preferences. The only person who was ashamed of the relationship was you.”