Page 35 of Something Like Shelter

But it seemed like the wheels were already in motion. And I wasn’t sure there was a brake to pull.

Gracie looked to me.

“Yeah. It’s black tie.”

“I know of a place to rent if you—” Gracie started.

“That’s not necessary. I have a tux.”

He did?

Sure, in my circles, a lot of men did have tuxes because black-tie events were relatively common. But normal men didn’t own a tux. I would wager that ninety percent of the men in my family didn’t have one.

“Great then! See? It’s all settled,” Gracie declared. “No need to stress out about it.”

Oh, there were plenty of things to stress about still: my dress, the pumping, being around my boss and coworkers who would be scrutinizing everything I did or said, and, yeah, the whole explaining to Owen about fibbing to work about my ‘spouse,’ and, possibly, the whole story about Adelaide’s biological father.

“Really, I don’t want you to feel put on the spot,” I said as I mentally crafted some story to feed my boss and coworkers about why my ‘significant other’ wasn’t at the gala.

“I don’t. I wouldn’t agree to go if I had some kind of objection to it. Don’t stress out about it. I’m happy to escort you.”

“See? Nothing to freak out about. Everyone’s happy. I think my sweet niece needs a diaper change,” Gracie said, lying through her teeth. Adelaide had just been changed. She just wanted to leave us alone to talk.

Owen moved all the way down the stairs so she could go up, but neither of us spoke until we heard her up in the nursery.

“You still look tense. If she put you on the spot and you don’t want me to take you, that’s fine. You can just tell me that.”

“No! No, that’s not it. I just don’t like that she kind of conned you into it.”

“She didn’t. A gala might not be my usual speed, but it doesn’t sound like the torture event you seem to be making it out to be.”

“No, you’re right. I’ve gone to this every year. The food and music and alcohol are all top-tier. The people can be… a little stuffy, but it’s not too bad.”

“So, we will get dressed up, eat some good food, endure some conversations about who has the biggest yacht, then head out.”

“You’re making it sound a lot more doable.”

“It is doable.”

“You’re right,” I agreed. “Thank you, Owen. Really. I can’t tell you how much I app—”

“Stop. It’s no big deal. But I do have a big deal to discuss with you.”

“Uh-oh.”

“The vanities have to come out. I hate saying that. But when I pulled off the baseboards to do the flooring, I noticed some wetness on the wall.”

“Oh, great.”

“Yeah, not what we wanted to realize at this stage. But it’s better that I noticed before the job was done and you started to get mold growing in the walls.”

“You’re right. That would be a lot worse. Obviously, you need to do whatever you need to. If it’s possible to hold onto the mirrors, that’d be great. But anything else can go.”

I would never admit it, but as we discussed the changed completion timeline, all I could think of was that I was glad to know I could count on having Owen around for a few more weeks.

CHAPTER TEN

Willa