Chapter 168

“Hey, Lexi, you in there?” Lily called.

Lexi pulled away from Tyler immediately, straightening her clothes as she did. It took a few seconds before she put herself together and found her voice. Tyler on the other hand took his sweet time, not looking one bit flustered.

“Come in,” Lexi called. Lily's timing couldn’t have been more perfect.

The doorknob jiggled and Lily called, “It’s locked.”

Lexi shot Tyler a look. He had come in, then locked the door? Tyler only smirked at her in response. She left the balcony, followed by Tyler, crossed the room and let her friend in.

“I can’t find Tyler and I was wondering—” Lily spotted Tyler standing by the bed. “Oh! There you are.”

Curiosity leaped like wild flames in her eyes, but she played it cool. Lexi could just imagine what she must be thinking. Tyler didn’t even have the decency to look guilty or uncomfortable.

“Yes, ma’am.” He said.

“The tailor is here to do the final fitting on the tuxedos. They’re waiting for you in the master suite downstairs.”

He finally moved. “Guess I should get down there.”

Taking his time, he slipped both hands into his pocket. He crossed the room to the door, but instead of leaving, he stopped. Right by Lexi. He stood there, closer than she was comfortable with. Close enough to look suggestive and raise even more questions. Which was probably what he wanted. Their eyes locked, and his gaze was so intense she could swear he was seeing straight through her skin to her insides. And for some stupid reason she couldn’t look away.

He leaned toward her the tiniest bit, tilted his head a fraction, and for one brief, horrifying, exhilarating second she thought he was going to kiss her. Right in front of Lily. Her pulse began to race and her mouth went dry. She stood there frozen, holding her breath, waiting to see what he would do.

“It’s been even more…enlightening,” he finally said, then turned and walked out.

She didn’t really see how he considered this interlude enlightening. Nothing had been resolved. Lily waited several seconds, until they could hear the sound of his footsteps on the stairs, then she shut the door and turned to Lexi.

“Enlightening?”

“It’s not what you think,” Lexi said.

“I’m not sure what I should think.”

“Nothing was going on. We were just… talking.” It didn't sound convincing even for her.

“Talking? Oh, my gosh!” Lily squealed. “That’s so awesome!”

Lexi rolled her eyes at the sarcasm. “Okay, we kissed a little,”

“And?” she pressed, her eyes bright and enthusiastic. And so full of hope it nearly broke Lexi's heart.

“And nothing. Can we go back out? We still have a lot to do,”

___________

Three hours later Tyler sat at the dinner table and pushed his food around on his plate, his appetite gone.

He couldn't stop staring at Lexi. The mother of his child looked pale and ghostly. Despite her makeup, dark circles detracted from the beauty of her eyes and her face was nearly the color of the clouds above their heads, her hair was messy too, lacking its usual bouncy shine. Add the red hives visible on her neck above the high collar she wore, and the overall image was something to be worried about. She was a basket case of nerves, and he knew the stress wasn’t good for her or the baby.

He watched her eyes widen to the size of silver dollars when she saw the lobster on the table in front of her. Tyler saw her swallow several times and what little color she had in her cheeks faded. He stiffened, wondering what he should do but unsure how to get her out of there without attracting too much attention.

“I’m, uh, excuse me.” Lexi shoved the chair back with a surge of movement that knocked it against the railing with a sharp clang. “Oh, I’m sorry. I—”

Tyler snagged her arm when she practically wove a circle on her feet.

“Are you all right?”

Panic crossed her features and he saw a crack in her protective shell. She actually looked at him as though asking for help, her eyes expressing everything she couldn’t. And in that moment he vowed to do whatever he had to make her believe in him. His job, his life, nothing would be worthwhile unless Lexi and their baby were at his side.

“Lexi, are you sick again?” Lily asked. “She has been sick on and off for weeks now,”

“Lexi, sit down,” Daniel said,” Lily why don’t you—”

“I’m fine.” Air wheezed out of her lungs and a white line circled her mouth. “Really.”

“You don’t look it.” Lily scooted her chair back and moved around the table to where Lexi stood. “You look like you’re ready to hurl. Sit down.” She pressed Lexi back into the chair, not taking no for an answer.

“Her blood sugar might be low. Maybe she should eat something,” Victor said.

His suggestion was innocent, but the look Tyler gave Victor was anything but.

“No, I—”

Lily grabbed a plate of food and shoved it under Lexi's nose. “He’s right. You know how you get when you don’t eat. The lobster is divine, and you should try some of—Lexi?”

Tyler grimaced when Lexi clamped a hand over her mouth and shoved Lily and the plate of food out of the way just in time to stumble to her feet and bend over the railing.

Everyone scrambled out of their chairs, patting Lexi on the back, bringing water and napkins, tissues.

“The last time I saw anyone get sick that quickly was when my sister was preg—Oh.” Dale's words trailed off into stunned silence. Daniel pasted a weak smile to his face and glared up at his friend.

Tyler shut his eyes in frustration. “We should take this inside,” he suggested quietly. “Away from everyone.”

Lexi opened her mouth but no words came, not even a denial. She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin high, battle-ready despite her sickness.

“Let’s go inside,” he said, grasping her arm. “

Lexi managed a smile before he ushered her inside, followed closely by Lily. “Um, Lexi? Let’s go to the ladies’ room so you can freshen up.” she said before she turned to Tyler, “I'll take it from here, okay?”

Without a word, Lexi and Lily walked away and Tyler watched as Lexi did that struggle-to-take-a-breath thing again.

As if he needed anything to make this situation worse.