Blair took one last steadying breath before opening the terrace doors and stepping back into the house. She plastered a smile on her face and made her way back into the room. She didn’t look in Luca’s direction.
She felt a little like Keira–she wanted to hurt him for what he had done to their sister.
“There you are.” Roman appeared at her side almost immediately, concern creasing his features. “I got your text. Is Sutton okay?”
“Just feeling a bit nauseous,” Blair said, the lie coming easier than she’d expected. “Pregnancy stuff. Keira took her home so she could rest.”
“Should we leave too? Go check on her? Everyone will understand that you’re worried about your sister. We can-”
“No, it’s fine,” Blair interrupted quickly. “She insisted we stay. Said she’d never forgive herself if she ruined our celebration.”
Roman studied her face for a moment, and Blair forced herself to maintain eye contact. No more secrets, they’d promised
each other.
But this wasn’t her secret to tell. This was Sutton’s business, and she had every right to decide when and if she told anyone that Roman’s friend Luca was the father of her baby.
Luca didn’t have any rights as far as she was concerned. Not after the way he had treated Sutton. Used her, then gone off to marry his little Italian bride his father had picked out for him.
She was justified in keeping this to herself. She had to be.
“If you’re sure,” Roman said, though he still looked worried.
“I’m sure. Besides, your dad will never forgive us if we leave before he’s finished embarrassing you.”
That earned her a smile. “True. He’s just getting started.”
They rejoined the main group, and Blair tried to focus on the conversations around her. Roman’s aunt was telling a story about his childhood obsession with dinosaurs, and everyone was laughing at the mental image of eight–year–old Roman correcting museum tour guides.
“He was insufferable,” Rose chimed in. “He’d stand there with his little clipboard, making notes about everything they got wrong.”
“I was thorough,” Roman protested. “There’s a difference.”
“You made a museum tour guide question his career choice,” James added helpfully.
Blair found herself genuinely smiling for the first time since they’d come back inside. Roman’s family was exactly what she’d always remembered a true family should be. Their family had been like this until Peter had killed her parents. It made what had just happened with Sutton feel even more unfair. She had been through so much. The only reason she had been modeling in Europe was to put Keira and her through university. Then Luca had used her and left her pregnant and alone. Without even a backwards glance.
“Roman! Blair!”
Blair turned to see Luca approaching them. Talk about the devil himself. He had two champagne flutes in one hand and a third in the other. He was wearing a broad smile. Her stomach immediately clenched. She wanted to take that champagne from him and throw it in his face.
“Congratulations,” he said warmly, handing them each a glass. “I’m really happy for you both.”
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“Thanks, Luca,” Roman said, clapping his friend on the shoulder. “I’m glad you could make it.”
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“Wouldn’t have missed it. Though I have to say, I never thought I’d see the day Roman Kingston would willingly give up his bachelor status.”
Blair forced a laugh, but it sounded hollow to her own ears. Looking at Luca now–really looking at him–she could see why Sutton had been attracted to him. He was undeniably handsome, with an easy charm that probably made women feel like they were the only person in the room.
Right up until he called them liars and accused them of trying to trap him. Blair was sure there was more to the story that was just too painful for Sutton to share.
“Blair’s a very persuasive woman,” Roman said, his arm tightening around her waist.
“I can see that,” Luca said, raising his glass. “To Roman and Blair–may you be as happy as you deserve.”
“Thank you,” she said stiffly, barely touching the champagne to her lips.
Luca seemed to notice her cool response. His brow furrowed slightly, and he glanced between her and Roman. “Blair, is everything okay?”
“Yes… fine,” Blair said. But it sounded off and not her normal friendly self. She just couldn’t help it.
An awkward silence stretched between them. Blair could feel Roman’s questioning gaze, but she couldn’t bring herself to be welcoming to Luca. Every time she looked at him, she thought about Sutton crying herself to sleep, facing pregnancy alone because this man couldn’t be bothered to take responsibility. And now here he was, acting like he was such a good friend, such a wonderful person.
“Well,” Luca said finally, clearly sensing the tension. “I should let you get back to your other guests. Again, congratulations.”
As he started to move away, Roman caught his arm. “Hey, before you go. Any luck with that thing we talked about?”
Blair looked between them. What thing?
Luca’s expression shifted, becoming more serious. “Still looking. It’s harder than I expected to find exactly what I’m looking for. The right one, you know?”
“Good. You shouldn’t settle. You know I’m here if you need anything.”
“I appreciate that. Really. Your support means the world. I will find it if it’s the last thing I do.”
They exchanged a look that seemed loaded with meaning Blair couldn’t understand. Then Luca nodded to both of them and walked back into the crowd.
“What was that about?” Blair asked once he was gone.
“Nothing important,” Roman said. “Just something he’s working on.”
Blair wanted to press, but she was keeping her own secrets. She couldn’t exactly demand honesty when she was lying to his face about why Sutton had really left.
But as the evening went on, she found herself watching Luca. He seemed so relaxed, so charming with everyone. There was no sign that he was carrying guilt about a woman he’d abandoned. No hint that he ever thought about the consequences of his actions. He was just having a good time at a party while somewhere across town, the mother of his child was probably crying.
She should have asked him where his wife was. Blair had noticed he didn’t wear a ring, but some men didn’t. Maybe it allowed him to cheat on his good little wife. She hated him.
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The worst part was that Roman clearly liked him. They’d been friends for years. Roman trusted him enough to offer help with whatever he was looking for.
How was she supposed to tell Roman that his friend was the kind of man who used women and threw them away? How could she explain that without betraying Sutton’s trust?
She felt sick thinking about it.
“You’re quiet,” Roman said, pulling her aside near the fireplace. “Are you sure you’re okay? You’ve seemed off since you came back inside.”
“I’m fine. Just worried about Sutton.”
Roman studied her face. “Blair, what’s really going on? And don’t tell me it’s just pregnancy nausea. I know you better than
that.”
Blair’s heart raced. He could read her so easily. Too easily.
“It’s nothing I can talk about,” she said carefully. “Not without breaking a confidence.”
“Whose confidence?”
“Roman, please. Can we just enjoy the rest of the evening?”
He looked like he wanted to argue, but Eleanor chose that moment to announce that dinner was being served. The moment passed, but Blair could feel Roman’s eyes on her for the rest of the night.
She was going to have to figure out what to tell him. Because keeping this secret was already eating her alive. But she needed to keep Sutton’s secret. Because it truly wasn’t up to her who knew about the father of the baby. If she went against that, it would hurt her sister.
Sutton’s pain was real. Her fear was real. And until her sister was ready to deal with Luca, Blair would protect her secret.
Even if it meant lying to the man she loved.
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