Fifteen minutes later, Bree reached for Elle’s hand. “Oh, my God. How terrible. Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked. “I would have helped. You know I have the money.”
“I couldn’t,” Elle said. “And I felt so trapped and afraid. Every day looking in the mirror, I just hated myself more and more. And then when Brock and I got involved—” Elle felt her voice break again.
Bree looked at her in sympathy. “Gavin told me Brock looked devastated when he got the news from the P.I.”
Even though deep down, Elle had suspected that Brock would have been hurt by the news, part of her had wondered if it might have stabbed his ego more than his heart. Now, she couldn’t be sure.
“Well, the good news is that you and Brock are married, so everything is fixed,” Bree said cheerfully.
Elle didn’t say anything, but Bree must have read her expression.
“What’s wrong? Brock must have forgiven you, right?”
“It’s not that easy,” Elle said. “We’re working on things.” She bit her lip. “I’m pregnant,” she whispered.
Bree’s eyes rounded. “Oh, my goodness. Are you excited? Is he? I mean, I know it’s been a muddy swim getting here, but a baby.”
Elle realized more than ever how much she had missed Bree during the last few weeks. “I’m getting there,” she said. “I’m just getting over morning sickness.”
“As someone whose marriage didn’t start out perfectly, the only thing I can say is hold on. Things can change for the better. They certainly did for me. For a while there, I never believed Gavin would love me, but I wouldn’t doubt it for a second now.”
“I’m so glad. You really do deserve happiness,” Elle said.
Bree shot her a sympathetic smile. “You do, too, Elle.”
“Do you think you can ever forgive me?” Elle asked.
“It’s already done. But you’re going to need to forgive yourself, too.”
Elle felt a slight easing in her chest. She’d carried around the tight feeling so long it had become a part of her. To have Bree forgive her so freely gave her hope that maybe she and Brock could make their family work after all.
“Thank you so much, Bree,” she said. “And now I have a favor to ask. You remember how I helped you with your little makeover?”
Bree nodded. “You definitely don’t need a makeover.”
“Brock’s den needs a makeover. You have a wonderful eye. I was hoping you wouldn’t mind helping me.”
“I’m flattered,” Bree said. “Of course I’ll help.”
After taking photographs of the den and talking about ideas, Elle and Bree decided to go shopping and found the perfect couch, a recliner for Brock and a sofa table. Unaccustomed to having things delivered at the drop of a dime, Elle blinked at how Bree arranged to get the furniture delivered immediately. Bree left with a hug and Elle went to an electronics store to purchase a huge television. As soon as she mentioned her address, the store manager agreed to deliver and set it up immediately.
By seven thirty, she was propped on the new sofa, watching a chick flick on the new television while she ate roasted chicken, green beans and macaroni and cheese. The sad thing was that Brock still hadn’t come home. Elle consoled herself with the macaroni and cheese, even though she knew she would rue the effect later.
Just before eight o’clock, Brock strode into the room, glancing around in surprise. “Where’d the furniture go?”
“You told me to redo a room,” she said. “This is the room I’ve chosen.”
He glanced at the television. “That’s a great picture. I bet you would feel like you’re at the game when you’re watching baseball,” he said.
“That’s the idea,” she said, pleased with her purchase. “Do you mind trying out your new chair?” she asked, waving her hand toward the recliner.
He gave a short laugh and moved to the chair, sitting down and easing back. He let out a sigh. “Perfect,” he said.
Elle beamed. “I think I sat in fifty chairs before I chose that one.”
“I like the couch, too,” he said. “The room looks totally different.”
“I’m not done with it yet, but I think I’ve made a good start.”
He shot her an inquisitive glance. “You’ve been a busy girl.”
She nodded. “Yes, I have.”
He glanced at her plate. “And you’re eating well, too. I’m glad to see it.”
Elle sighed, looking at her mostly empty plate. “I’m craving carbs. Heaven help me when it’s all over.”