The Arrangement .(30)

“The food is ready, and the band’s setting up,” Clarissa continued.

The hotel had made an exception and allowed Xander’s bakery to donate the dessert for the event. It hadn’t been easy, but somehow Clarissa managed to convince them to do it. Alexa was very grateful because it not only cut down on costs, but it would give Xander’s business exposure, as well.

“You’ve done such an exceptional job,” Alexa said. “The room looks great.”

Her eyes swept over the round tables of six. Each one held a small floral centerpiece and place cards for the invitees. There was a microphone and stand on the floor below the stage.

Grinning from ear to ear, Clarissa motioned with her hand and led Alexa and Xander to a table at the front.

“This is where you’ll be seated with Edna and the volunteers from Second Chance Closet.” Clarissa twisted her wrist to look at her watch again.

“I’m going to the back to make sure we’re still on schedule. If you need anything—anything at all—just tell one of the servers, and they’ll find me, okay?”

“I will, but I’m not worried. I know I can be a bit anal, but I trust you, and I know the evening will go well.”

“Well, you shouldn’t be concerning yourself with trivialities anyway. You don’t want all that negative energy going into the baby.”

Alexa nodded her agreement. She slid her hand slowly over her five-months belly, which protruded just below the Empire waist of the black evening gown.

Two months after leaving Leonardo, she found out she was pregnant. It had been a shock because she was still on the Pill. However, her doctor reminded her the Pill was 99.9 percent effective when taken correctly, and she happened to fall into the very rare smaller percentage this time.

After Clarissa walked away, Alexa turned to Xander, who was now seated at the table, his ankle resting on his knee.

“Let Clarissa do her job,” he said. “She’s good at what she does, and that way you can relax.”

“I will, but you know how I get. I can’t help myself.” She sat down next to him.

“How are you holding up?” Xander asked, concern in his soft brown eyes.

Alexa glanced away. Whenever he looked at her like that, she would get choked up. “I’m a grown woman. You should stop worrying about me.”

“You’re my sister. Just like you worry about me, I worry about you.”

She reached for his hand on the table. “I’m healthy. My baby is healthy.

My charity is successful. What more could I ask for?”

Xander shook his head, signifying his disapproval. “Come on, Lexie. This is me. You shouldn’t do this on your own. It’s not right, and it’s not fair to Leo.”

“I’m not doing it on my own.” She withdrew from him. This conversation was a repeat of one they’d had several times since she found out about her pregnancy.

“Yes, you are!” He leaned forward. “You haven’t even told him you’re pregnant. I couldn’t imagine what that would feel like to find out my wife was pregnant and she didn’t tell me.”

“Your relationship is different.”

“How?”

“You two love each other. Leo and I … Leo doesn’t love me.” When he looked about to argue, she rushed on. “I know I have to tell him, and I will. I promise you, I won’t keep it from him indefinitely.”

“It’ll hurt him when he finds out,” Xander said reproachfully. She knew from past discussions he couldn’t understand her hesitation.

Listening to him talk about how hurt Leonardo would be almost made Alexa smile. He made it sound as if Leonardo experienced the same emotions as the rest of the mere mortals. Little did he know, Leonardo didn’t need anyone, and whatever he may feel when he found out she was pregnant, it wouldn’t be hurt.

He might want to wring her neck, but he would refrain for the sake of the unborn child he’d tried in the past to convince her to carry. She knew she should tell him about the baby, but she was worried he would try to resume their marriage. That wasn’t what she wanted—at least, not for that reason.

She wanted him to reach out to her because he loved her, not because she was having his child.

“I’ll tell him when the time is right.”

Xander looked skeptical. “The time was right three months ago when you found out for sure.”

Alexa sighed and rested her hand on her stomach. “I know.” This was the first instance since they were kids that Xander had been so displeased with her, and it made her unhappy.

She knew she should tell Leonardo. She just didn’t have the guts to face him. Plus, she had been so busy with Second Chance Closet, the fundraiser, checkups, and morning sickness, that before she knew it, three months had passed and she hadn’t contacted Leonardo.