Page 5 of Embrace Me

“I’m meeting Jamie and Evelyn,” I say. “So very much pleasure.”

He tells me to say hi to them both, and I promise I will. Then I gather my things and take a ride share to The Patio, a new restaurant in Santa Monica on the Pacific Coast Highway near the Pier. I’d come to work in the Town Car, with Edward—Damien’s favorite driver—chauffeuring me, and during this ride, I shoot him a text to let him know I’ll need to be picked up at the restaurant in an hour or two.

Soon, I’m settled at a table with my best friend, Jamie Archer Hunter, and Evelyn Dodge, who was one of the first people I met when I moved to Los Angeles. Bold and brassy, Evelyn can always be counted on to say her mind and not pull her punches. And I absolutely love her for that.

Over the years, she’s become almost a surrogate mother. A welcome thing, considering the woman whose call I declined this morning never excelled in that role.

“It is so great to see you both,” I say after we exchange hugs.

“You, too, Texas,” Evelyn says. “And you look amazing. You’re glowing. But you also look like you’re ready to pop. Are you sure you’re okay about tonight?”

“She’s the star attraction,” Jamie says. “Of course, she’ll be there.”

I wave the words away. “My part’s just a short speech,” I say. “You’re the one explaining the news. Which is fine,” I add with a grin, “since you love the spotlight so much.”

“I do,” she says. “I really do.” She leans back and fluffs her dark hair as she flashes a camera-ready grin. I’m girl-next-door pretty, but Jamie has always had those movie star good looks, and even now that she’s no longer the young ingénue, she has a spark that shines on camera.

“Well, both of you will do great tonight,” Evelyn assures us. “After all, this project is your baby.”

She glances down at my belly again. “Your other baby.” She grins. “Speaking of, how are those two little girls?”

“They’re doing great.” I can feel myself smiling.

Jamie runs her finger over the rim of her wineglass. “Great is an understatement. Those girls are so adorable. Almost makes me want one of my very own.” She cocks her head, making a show of thinking, then shakes it. “Actually no. I’m happy to just be able to borrow yours when I feel that maternal urge come on.”

One of these days, I’d like to see Jamie and Ryan with a baby. But I have a feeling that day isn’t coming any time soon.

“I never thought I wanted kids,” Evelyn says. “And honestly, I don’t have any regrets. But every once in a while, there’s a little ping.” She leans across the table and takes my hands. “That’s only one of the many reasons I’m happy that you’re in my life, Texas. Playing Grandma, I mean.”

“There are a lot of reasons I’m happy you’re in my life,” I say honestly, then make my expression bland. “Babysitting is definitely on the list.”

Evelyn chuckles, then lifts her glass of wine in a toast. We clink, and we all drink. Them with their wine and me with sparkling water.

”Speaking of built-in family babysitters,” I add, “you and Frank coming together tonight, right?”

Frank is my father, but he left my mother—and me—when I was a child. A few years ago, he re-appeared, and though it was rocky early on, he’s now fully in my life again. I even call him Dad on occasion, but I tend to default to Frank around other people. Especially around Evelyn.

They’ve been dating for a while, and the truth is, if I call him Dad, that makes her Mom. That’s not a bad thing. Not at all. After all, my biological mother is a piece of work, and someone who had—at least until this morning—completely disappeared from my life after I firmly kicked her to the curb after years of abuse and harassment.

So with Evelyn, it’s not as if I already have a mom I don’t want replaced. In fact, it’s just the opposite. Evelyn already feels like a mother to me, but since I don’t know where this thing with my father is going, I don’t want to get my hopes up.

Of course, Evelyn has been in Damien’s life since his earliest tennis days, and she’s remained a lifelong friend. I know she’ll always be around, but I can’t deny the fantasy that one day she’ll play a bigger role. And, honestly, I can only hope that my father understands what he has in her and has the guts to make it permanent. He might not. After being married to Elizabeth Fairchild, I can definitely imagine that he’d be gun-shy.

I’m saved from my meandering thoughts by the arrival of the waiter, and I order a light chicken salad even though I’m not hungry. Lately, there’s barely been enough room in my stomach for food. Jamie orders the burrito plate, but Evelyn sticks with her wine and a side salad.

“I’m saving up for tonight,” she says. “Your father and I are going out to dinner before we head to the foundation.”

“Perfect,” I say, before we move the conversation away from my dad and my pregnancy and on to more mundane catching up. Evelyn has gotten back into agenting, and she shares some great stories about the ridiculous hurdles that she has to jump to navigate Hollywood. And, as a plus, she represents Jamie, and they both gush about a new job that Jamie is up for, apologizing for not being able to give me the details about the hush-hush project.

“I’m just happy something’s in the works,” I tell them both. “You know me. Hollywood details just whoosh right over my head.”

“Unless we’re talking classic movies,” Jamie says sagely. “Then she’s all over it.”

We all laugh. My lack of knowledge about the business isn’t a secret, though I do try to pay attention more since it’s now the bread and butter for two of my favorite people. I’m especially happy for Jamie, who’s always wanted to be on camera, and is now living her dream, both as an actress and as an on-camera entertainment correspondent.

She’s been my best friend since Texas, and though she used to be a wild child piece of work, she’s calmed down considerably since she married Damien’s best friend and business partner, Ryan Hunter. He’s a perfect match for her, since he not only keeps her in check, but he doesn’t deny her that bit of wildness that makes Jamie Jamie.

Ryan took over at the Stark Security Agency when Damien founded it after Anne’s kidnapping. Thinking about that usually makes me shiver, but I’ve gotten to the point where I can handle the memories. And I’m so proud of what my husband has accomplished with that organization.