Thea had intimidated Sarah during her marriage to Abe. That was before she’d learned how ferociously the other woman protected those who were her own—and also how kind Thea could be. It was Thea who’d taken charge of ensuring Sarah’s security was up-to-date and who’d brought over her things while Sarah was staying with Molly and Fox.
“I’d kill for a latte actually,” Sarah admitted. “I know it’s weird, but I’ve been jonesing for one all afternoon and wasn’t able to get to my favorite coffee place.”
Thea turned to Kit just as Thea’s phone began to ring. “You’re faster at the machine.” She was on her phone seconds later, no doubt ensuring the media hadn’t discovered Molly and Fox’s wedding plans.
As Kit cheerfully used the gleaming coffee machine to make Sarah her latte, Sarah smiled at the last woman in the room aside from Molly—a petite blonde whose silky hair came to an inch or two below her shoulders. Seated at the breakfast counter, she was dressed in a cobalt-blue bikini top and a pair of short black board shorts. Her hazel eyes sparkled in welcome at Sarah behind the clear glass of her wire-rimmed spectacles.
“Hi, Charlie,” Sarah said. “I meant to tell you—I think I put on five pounds after sampling all those cakes.” It had been impossible to resist the deliciousness; Charlotte was one mean baker.
“That was probably her cunning plan all along.” Molly jumped onto a breakfast stool beside her best friend. “To make us all burst the seams of our dresses while she remains tiny and adorable.”
Charlotte elbowed Molly. “I would kill for your curves,” she said before returning her gaze to Sarah. “And yours are seriously dangerous.”
Confidence boosted by the friendly atmosphere and the fact all the other women were different sizes and shapes, Sarah smiled. “Thanks. Let me go get into my suit so we can head out to the pool.”
It only took her a few minutes to change into the bronze two-piece that was her favorite. The top cupped her generous breasts firmly, then hugged her body to the waist. It also had small ties that caused pretty ruching along the curve of her waist on either side. The bottoms were simple and not too high cut.
Pulling on a floaty beach top similar to Thea’s over the outfit, she walked back upstairs just in time to hear one of the women say, “…worried about fitting into the dress?”
Molly’s laughter was open warmth. “My dress isn’t formfitting, but even if it was, I could still gorge on dessert to my heart’s content.” She glanced over at Sarah, filled her in. “They’re teasing me about the dessert bar I had the caterers come in and set up by the pool.”
Taking a sip of the divine latte Kit had made for her, Sarah smiled her thanks at the amber-eyed woman whose skin held a natural bronze glow thanks to her Venezuelan ancestry on her mother’s side. “I guess we’re all used to brides freaking out about their weight.” Sarah certainly had prior to her own wedding—and all it had gotten her was the urge to binge-eat chocolate. “It’s nice that you’re not.” Not that Molly needed to worry—she had a beautiful body, all soft curves and lush sexiness.
“I actually lost a few pounds without trying,” Molly admitted. “When Fox and I went on that hiking trip.”
“Yes.” Charlotte grinned, her gaze wicked. “I’m sure it was the hiking that made you sweat, Miss Molly.”
Pretending to strangle her best friend, Molly blushed. Which only made everyone laugh and fueled further teasing until Molly ordered them all out to the pool.
CHAPTER 10
FORTY MINUTES LATER, after a swim in the clear blue waters of the infinity pool lit from below, Sarah took a seat on a lounger under the night sky that had eclipsed the last of the sunlight and tried one of the triple chocolate fudge brownies Charlotte had whipped up and added to the catered items. She groaned. “These are the devil’s work.”
Charlotte looked over from the neighboring lounger where she was sipping a cocktail. Her face dead serious, she said, “Thank you.” Then she set aside her cocktail and used her fingers to make tiny horns on top of her head.
Sarah burst out laughing. And that set the tone for the rest of the evening. She’d never had a night like this, with women who were all close friends with each other… and who’d pulled her firmly into that circle.
Not once did she feel like an outsider.
The conversation flowed freely, as did the desserts and cocktails and food, though Sarah stuck to nonalcoholic drinks. Her stomach was a touch unsettled. Not enough to really bother her, but enough that she didn’t want to aggravate it with alcohol.