Chapter 89 #89
Chapter 89
~Shailyn's POV~
"Dante, stop!" I laugh as he tries to steal another cookie from the tray I'm arranging. We were both in the kitchen. After this morning's surprise, and breakfast in bed. I came down to set up for Christmas eve.
"I can't help it. You make them too good." He wraps his arms around me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder.
"These are for later. For everyone."
"I'm everyone."
"You're impossible."
"And you love me anyway."
I turn in his arms, smiling up at him. "I do."
He kisses me, soft and sweet, and I lean into it. This is good. This is right. This is my husband.
"Get a room!" Monica's voice cuts through the moment.
We break apart, and Dante laughs. "We have several rooms, actually."
"Gross." For some reason, she's in a very happy mood today.”
She disappears, and Dante steals another cookie before I can stop him.
"Dante!"
"What? I need sustenance."
"You had breakfast an hour ago."
"That was an hour ago. This is now."
I shake my head, but I'm smiling. Today has been good. Perfect, even. No awkward moments. No complicated feelings. Just me and my husband.
"Mrs. Shailyn?" Rosa appears in the doorway. "Mr. Dwayne is asking if you need help with anything."
My stomach drops. "No. No, I'm fine. Tell him... tell him I have everything under control."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure. Thank you, Rosa."
She leaves, and Dante raises an eyebrow. "You okay?" He says.
"Fine. Just focused on getting everything ready."
"You've been avoiding him all day. Tell me that the bastard did and I'll give him a lesson. I'm happy you're avoiding him though. Now you see he's not a good person."
"No, Dante. There's no reason. I'm just being me. I haven't been avoiding him.
"Shailyn.” He tilts his head. "I'm not blind."
"I'm not avoiding anyone. I'm just busy."
"Okay." He doesn't push, which makes the guilt worse somehow. "Come on. Let's finish decorating."
We move to the dining room where Monica and Cynthia are debating centerpiece placement. Something about how it must look sophisticated.
Tyler enters, followed by Dwayne. Dwayne was also followed by a friend of his who had introduced himself to be Marcus. Maybe I should have invited Hannah.
My heart does that stupid thing again seeing Dwayne, and I immediately move closer to Dante.
"Everything looks great," Tyler says, surveying the room. "Shailyn, you've outdone yourself."
"Thank you."
"Actually, that gives me an idea." He turns to face everyone. "I was thinking we should do an after-Christmas party and end of year celebration for the company and I'm putting Shailyn in charge."
"What?" I blink. "Me?"
"You. You have an eye for this stuff. Plus, you work at SentientIQ. You know what people like."
"Tyler, I don't know..."
"Why should she be the one to do it? What's her position in the company. She's just a debugger.” Monica chime in. "
"She's pregnant," Dwayne says suddenly. His voice is sharp. "She shouldn't be taking on extra stress."
Everyone turns to look at him.
"I can handle stress," I say, annoyed. "I'm pregnant, not incapable."
"That's not what I meant."
"Then what did you mean?"
"I just think maybe someone else should.."Tyler started cutting Dwayne off before he could respond.
"I'll do it," I interrupt. "Tyler, I'd love to organize the party."
"Excellent!" Tyler claps his hands. "We'll discuss details after Christmas."
Dwayne's jaw clenches. He doesn't say anything else, but I can feel his disapproval radiating across the room.
Good. Let him disapprove.
Dante pulls me closer. "Are you sure about this?"
"Positive. It'll be fun."
"If you say so." He kisses my temple. "Just don't overdo it."
"I won't."
I glance at Dwayne. He's watching us, and there's something in his expression that makes my chest tighten.
I look away quickly.
"So," Monica says, breaking the tension. "What time is dinner?"
"Seven," Cynthia answers. "Which means we should all start getting ready soon."
"I'll help Shailyn finish up here first," Dante offers.
"No need," I say quickly. "Rosa and I can handle it. You should go get ready."
"You sure?"
"Positive. Go."
He kisses me once more before leaving with Tyler. Dwayne lingers for a moment, like he wants to say something.
"Don't you have to get ready too?" I ask, not looking at him.
"Shailyn..."
"I'm busy, Dwayne."
He's quiet for a long moment. Then he turns and walks out.
I released a breath when he finally went. I'm sorry Dwayne. It's for the best.
I busy myself with final touches, arranging and rearranging things that don't need to be arranged. Anything to keep my hands occupied. My mind distracted.
\---
By seven o'clock, the dining room is transformed. Candles flicker on both ends of the table, the floral centerpiece is perfect, and everything looks warm and inviting.
I've changed into a dark green maternity dress that Dante bought me. It's elegant and comfortable, showing just a hint of my growing belly.
"You look beautiful," Dante whispers as we take our seats.
"Thank you."
Tyler sits at the head of the table, with Cynthia on his right. Monica is on his left, and there's an empty chair beside her. She was keeping it purposely. But for who?
The doorbell rings suddenly. Who could that be?
"That must be him now," Monica says, standing. "I'll get it."
"Who did she invite?" Tyler asked Dante.
"She didn't mention anything."
Dwayne, sitting across from me, meets my eyes for the first time all evening. There's a question in his gaze that I can't answer.
I look away.
Monica returns, and there's someone behind her. Jack.
"Everyone," she announces, way too cheerfully. "Since Jack will soon be part of the family. I invited him for the dinner."
The man makes questions run through my mind each time I see him. I remember the last time he was here and what happened. He's standing in our dining room, smiling like he belongs here.
"Hello, everyone," he says smoothly. "Thank you for having me."
Tyler stands, extending his hand. "Jack. Good to see you again. Even though we weren't informed of this.
Once again, Cynthia looks pale. What's her deal?
Dante's hand finds mine under the table. His grip is tight. Too tight.
"Are you alright?" I whisper.
"Fine," he says, but his voice is strained.
Jack's eyes sweep the room, landing on me. He smiles wider.
"Mrs. Shailyn. It's been a while. Good to see you "
"Thank you?" I try to sound casual but it came more like a question.
Cynthia clears her throat awkwardly. "Shall we start dinner?"
"Yes," Tyler agrees. "Let's eat."
But as Rosa begins serving the first course, I can't shake the feeling that this dinner is about to become something else entirely.
This is about to be a very long evening.