“That necklace looks beautiful on you, Ally,” Mia Hamilton said sincerely, her eyes staring at Ally across the table of the casual family restaurant.
All four sets of female eyes at the table flew to Ally, murmuring their agreement appreciatively. “Where did you get it?” Maddie asked curiously.
Ally squirmed in her seat, fingering the lovely unicorn necklace that she hadn’t removed since the day Travis had given it to her. The last week had been the happiest of her life, and not a night had gone by that Travis hadn’t been in her bed. He’d gone to work late every single day for the last week, grumbling that he couldn’t wait until she came back to work on Thursday. Travis filled her days with laughter with his naughty and thoughtful antics, and her nights with dark desire that never went unsated.
“It was a gift from Travis,” Mia answered for Ally before she could decide what to say.
“Wow. It’s beautiful.” Asha reached out, brushing Ally’s fingers aside to examine the small unicorn.
“It was a birthday gift,” Ally murmured. Looking at Mia, she asked, “How did you know?”
Mia took a sip of her water and set it back down before answering. “Because I made it. Travis picked the stones and what I needed to craft it. And he gave me very little time to do it because he wanted you to have it that day.”
Ally gaped at Mia. The necklace she was wearing was a Mia Hamilton design? “I thought he just picked it up somewhere.”
Mia chuckled. “He did. My studio. He couldn’t find exactly what he wanted, so I had to make it for him. Those are the finest quality gems available. And he drew exactly what he wanted, so it wasn’t difficult to design since he did most of the work for me. He knew exactly how it needed to be. It’s unique. The unicorn must have significance. Why?”
Ally’s heart raced, the thought of Travis going to all that trouble and expense just to get her an exact replica of her fantasy unicorn making the piece of jewelry just that much more precious to her. “I write as a hobby. He liked the first story and the unicorn is one of the characters. He wants me to finish the books.”
“And will you?” Kara Hudson asked from her seat next to Asha. “It’s a very romantic gesture.”
“Definitely.” Maddie nodded from across the table.
“Travis has been different lately. He actually kissed me back on the cheek when I kissed him good-bye yesterday. And he’s smiling. Not that cynical, obnoxious expression he gets, but actually smiling. I was thinking he must be getting laid.” Asha gave Ally a sly look. “Am I right?”
“Oh my God!” Mia squealed. “You and Travis have been burning up the sheets? I should have known when he was in such a panic about the necklace. But I thought you were engaged?”
Ally hadn’t really had a chance to tell any of the women that she wasn’t engaged anymore. Only Asha knew. She explained what had happened with Rick and that she was no longer engaged, but she didn’t mention Travis. Maybe because the relationship was so new that she couldn’t really explain what they were to each other.
“Snake!”
“Asshole!”
“Slimy bastard!”
“Dickhead!”
Each woman interjected a derogatory name for Rick as Ally explained.
“So you’re free, and Travis pounced. Smart man, my brother,” Mia said with a smile as she took a huge bite of her club sandwich.
Ally shook her head. “I wouldn’t say he pounced exactly.”
“How long did it take him to get you into bed?” Asha asked, amused. “He’s had it bad for you for years.”
“Who says I slept with him?” Ally said with false indignation. “Maybe we’re just becoming friends.”
“Bullshit,” Kara remarked as she popped a fry into her mouth. “You haven’t denied it, so that means you definitely did him.”
“Travis is hot, but he’s always been so dark and broody. But I bet that makes him good in the sack?” Maddie said thoughtfully.
“Stop!” Mia held up her hand. “There’s an ‘ick’ factor for me here. He’s my brother. I absolutely do not want to know if he’s a good lay.”
All the women laughed uproariously, and Ally smiled.
Mia lowered her hand and leaned slightly across the table and asked in a loud whisper, “But did you do him?”
There was something really embarrassing about being questioned about her sex life by the sister of the man who rocked her world every time he touched her, so she merely nodded reluctantly.
“Oh, thank God,” Mia answered, straightening up to continue her lunch. “No wonder he’s smiling.”