Jack came by a little after six to pick up Kate for the art show. She was wearing slim black dress pants, and a cream colored sleeveless silky top that was loose and flattering. She pulled a black cashmere cardigan over it and slipped on her favorite black leather flats. Her one splash of color was a silver necklace with a pretty blue topaz stone. It shimmered and sparkled in the light. She wore matching blue topaz drop earrings and blew her hair out long and straight, so it was soft and shiny.
“You look pretty.” Jack smiled as she held the door open to let him in.
“Thank you. You clean up pretty good too. I’ll just grab my purse.” He was wearing that same cologne again. Kate didn’t know what it was, but she knew that she liked it, a lot. Jack was wearing a deep navy button-down shirt and tan khakis. He looked great.
Downtown was mobbed, and it took them a while to find parking, which was always a challenge in Nantucket. If Kate had been in Boston, she might have worn a cute pair of heels, but with the uneven cobblestone streets of Nantucket, heels weren’t practical. And flats were so much more comfortable, anyway.
They made their way to the gallery, and it was already looking pretty busy. The official show hours were from six to eight, but the gallery itself opened at noon and Kristen’s paintings were available to view all day. Kate saw Kristen as soon as they walked in. She was nodding politely at three older women who were very enthusiastic about whatever they were saying. Kristen looked lovely. Her hair was loose and wavy, and she was wearing a gorgeous flowing dress that was a tangle of bright blues, pinks and greens. She looked exactly like what she was, a creative free-spirit. She smiled when she saw Kate and Jack coming her way.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” she said as the three ladies ran toward the server holding a tray of mini crab cakes.
“How’s it going?” Kate asked.
“It’s just starting to get busy now. It was quiet around six when we started. I think people were at dinner. Did you guys eat yet?”
“No, we thought we’d grab a bite after, maybe head to Easy Street for Mexican.”
“Oh, that sounds good. I love their nachos.”
“Why don’t you come with us? Or meet us over there when you finish up. What time can you leave?”
“I’ll be here until eight. Andrew mentioned getting a drink after, so I’ll see if he wants to head over there.”
“Have you seen Mom yet? She and Sue said they are coming.”
“Not yet. They should be along soon.”
“What kinds of things do people ask you?” Jack asked.
Kristen smiled. “All kinds of things. They’re mostly curious about how I got started and what the meanings of the different paintings are.”
“Do they all have meanings?” Kate had never thought about that before.
“No. Some do, but mostly they represent how I was feeling at any given time. My mood literally. Stormy seas means I was trying to fight through something, to figure things out.”
“That makes sense.” Kate understood exactly what she meant. And it was the reason why the two of them got along so well. They both were creative and sensitive, and both liked to avoid conflict in real life and used their art to sort out their feelings. Unlike Abby and Chase who were more direct and outspoken. They got along well now, but when they were kids Abby and Chase used to butt heads all the time and either Kate or Kristen would play the role of peacemaker.
“There’s Abby and Jeff,” Kate saw them walk in and look around. Their mother walked in right behind them with Sue.
“There’re glasses of champagne in the next room,” Kristen said.
“I’ll go get us a glass. Kristen do you need one?” Jack asked.
“Sure, thanks. I had one earlier, but I took one sip and then set it down and it disappeared.
“There you are!” Their mother, Sue, Abby and Jeff spotted Kristen and came right over.
They all chatted and mingled, walking around sipping champagne and occasionally having one of the bite sized appetizers when they came by. Kate was blown away by Kristen’s newest painting.
“I can’t believe my sister made this. I don’t know how she does it. I can’t even do stick people,” Kate laughed.
“It’s really something,” Jack agreed. “I can’t draw or paint either. At least you can write. Creating stories is pretty cool.”
“Oh, I know! I wasn’t fishing for compliments. I’m just in awe. I always knew she was good, but this is crazy good. It’s like she hit a new level.”
“I agree. And it looks like we’re not the only ones. The bidding has picked up.”
They walked over to the bidding book that was on a table by Kristen’s newest painting. Kate’s jaw dropped when she saw how high the bids already were. The most recent bid was over five thousand dollars.
“And it’s early still. It will be interesting to see how high it goes,” Jack said.
“I’m thrilled for her.” They made their way over to where their mother was chatting with Abby and Jeff and Sue was talking to a woman who looked vaguely familiar but Kate couldn’t quite place her. Andrew was chatting with Kristen and Kate saw him introduce her to a well dressed older couple. Kristen seemed comfortable now that she was surrounded by people she knew, and everyone was interested in talking to her about her art. Kate was glad to see it.
“Two of my favorite people, Kate and Jack! Kristen is your sister right? Now it makes sense. Andrew called and said we had to come by for tonight’s show.” Philippe Gaston had arrived. He gave Kate a quick kiss on the cheek and nodded at Jack. “Oh, my friend Sophie is visiting from LA. She’s an actress in my new show.”
“It’s so nice to meet you!” Sophie was stunning. Tall, thin, and blonde with impossibly high cheekbones and pouty lips. She looked like a supermodel.
“It’s Sophie’s first acting job. She’s mostly done modeling,” Philippe said. “I have two other friends in town this weekend too. They’ve never been to Nantucket, can you imagine? Dylan did some work on our show too and his lovely fiancee, Ellie. Guys, this is Kate and Jack. They’re Nantucket natives.”
Kate felt suddenly lightheaded. She hadn’t expected to see Dylan again, certainly not on Nantucket of all places.
“Hi Kate, you look well.”
“Hi Kate,” Ellie said softly. Kate noticed with horror that one of her hands kept drifting to her slightly swollen stomach. Her eyes met Dylan’s, and he looked uncomfortable for a moment then forced a smile. “We’re engaged and expecting.”
“That’s great.”
“Is that who I think it is?” Jack whispered softly.
Kate nodded. She wasn’t upset, just shocked.
“Kate, do you know Amelia? Abby, this is the woman that runs the yarn shop where Sue and I started taking lessons.” Kate tried to focus on what her mother was saying. So that was why the woman looked familiar.
“Abby, you’re the one who’s pregnant, right? Congratulations.”
Kate watched in horror as Abby turned deathly pale and Jeff looked all kinds of confused.
“You’re pregnant?” he snapped.
She nodded miserably.
“Is it mine?” His voice was uncomfortably loud and the room suddenly fell silent.
“Of course it is,” Abby hissed. “How can you even ask me that?”
Jeff laughed. “You’re kidding right? What do you expect me to think when my wife tells everyone except me that she’s pregnant? I’m out of here. You can drive home. I’ll get an Uber to my brother’s.”
Jeff stalked off, and Abby ran after him.
“Well, this is turning into quite the night,” Jack said. “I think I need a refill on the champagne. Anyone else?”’
While Jack went off for champagne, Philippe pulled Kate aside as Dylan and Ellie wandered into the next room.
“Kate, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know or I never would have brought them here.”
Kate laughed. “It’s fine, really. How could you know? And I’m truly over Dylan, it just took me by surprise.”
“Okay, good.”
“Sophie seems sweet.” Kate wondered how old she was, she looked very young.
“She is a sweetheart and mature for her age. She’s been modeling for ten years, started when she was fourteen.” Kate couldn’t imagine. It was such a different world. Philippe seemed happy though, Sophie too.
“How’s the writing going? Will you have anything to send me soon? I’m looking forward to reading when you’re done.”
“It’s going well. I’m near the end now, and it’s going so fast. I can barely keep up.”
He smiled. “That’s my favorite part—when the ideas are flowing so fast and furious. It happens like that at the end for me too. Wish it was that way all the way through. Sometimes it’s like pulling teeth, trying to get words to come that won’t budge.”
Kate laughed. “That’s exactly what it’s like. I should be done with my first draft sometime next week. I’ll go over it again, clean it up and then email it to you. I really appreciate that you’re willing to read.”
“People helped me when I was starting out. I’m just paying it forward. Plus, I like your writing and am sort of in between projects for a few weeks. So I have time to kill.”
Jack returned and handed Kate a new glass of champagne.
“I should go find Sophie and the others. Kate, just email when you’re ready.”
“I will.”
Jack raised his eyebrows as Philippe walked away. “The way tonight has gone so far, do I dare ask what you might be ready for with Philippe?”
Kate laughed and almost spit out the champagne she’d just swallowed.
“He’s going to read my manuscript when it’s done and ready.”
Jack laughed. “Good, that I fully approve of! I ran into Andrew and he said that he and Kristen will meet us at Easy Street. It’s almost eight now. I’m going to go check the bidding.”
“Oh, fun. Let me know how crazy high it’s getting. I’m going to find my mother and say goodbye.”
Kate found her mother and Sue just outside the door trying to calm down a nearly hysterical Abby. She wasn’t usually so emotional, but Kate figured the pregnancy hormones and keeping the secret for too long was too much for her.
“Why didn’t you tell him sooner?” Kate asked, once Abby had calmed down.
“I should have, I know. I just didn’t want to rock the boat. We were getting along so well, and I’d already waited too long. I knew it was going to be an issue that I didn’t tell him sooner, so I put it off, which just made it worse.”
“You can get past this,” their mother assured her.
“I hope so. He’s furious now, but I’ll go see him tomorrow and talk to him.”
“We’re going for Mexican, do you want to join us?” Kate thought maybe it would help to get her mind off everything, but Abby shook her head.
“No, thank you. My stomach can’t handle Mexican right now. But I do have an unopened carton of mint chocolate chip waiting for me.”
Kate went back inside and found Jack who was chatting with Kristen and Andrew. The gallery had emptied out as it was a few minutes past eight.
“We’ll head over there and grab a table,” Jack said.
“We’re maybe ten minutes behind you,” Andrew said.
When they reached Easy Street Cantina, there were plenty of tables open as the dinner rush was over. They were seated at a table for four. Jack ordered a beer and Kate got a frozen raspberry margarita. Their server set down a basket of hot tortilla chips and salsa when she delivered their drinks.
“Is your sister okay?” Jack asked.
“She will be. She and Jeff hit a rough patch, but they’d been working things out. They had a hard time getting pregnant which is probably why he took it even harder.”
“And that was Dylan. What did you ever see in that guy, anyway? He’s not worthy.”
That made Kate smile. And she agreed. “He was charming and fun, and ridiculously handsome. I never really trusted that it would last, to be honest.”
“Well, he’s an idiot. But you are so much better off. And so am I.” Jack took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Kate felt an initial jolt when Jack touched her, but it also felt right, and sweet. She relaxed as the tension she’d been holding since seeing Dylan ebbed away. They both turned, and Jack pulled his hand away as Kristen and Andrew came through the door and joined them.
“Hey good news. Guess who was the top bidder for Kristen’s painting?” Andrew asked.
“Who?” Kate asked.
Andrew grinned. “Jack.”
“Really? Cool. I wasn’t sure if I’d still be standing.” Jack looked happy and surprised. But not as surprised as Kate and Kristen.
“You were the top bidder? Wow.” Kate was curious what the final bid was but knew it would be rude to ask.
“I wanted it the minute I saw it. I could picture it in my living room, above my sofa, facing the ocean.”
“That’s awesome.”
“And all of her other ones sold too. If you have anymore you’d like to give me, I’m sure they’ll go quickly,” Andrew said.
Kristen looked overwhelmed but in a good way. “Of course. You saw my studio. I can definitely give you more. Do you want to pick them out?”
“You pick. I’ll take whatever you want to bring me. Maybe three next week?”
Kristen nodded. “I’ll bring them by.”
Kristen and Andrew both ordered margaritas on the rocks and they all decided to split an order of smoked spiced chicken nachos and a box of fish tacos.
The food was great, and they talked and laughed over dinner. Kate wasn’t sure how Kristen felt about Andrew, but she thought they seemed really comfortable together, and they definitely had a lot in common. And Andrew was unattached, which was a huge improvement over Sean. She was so glad that he hadn’t decided to drop by the show tonight. They’d had enough drama for one night.
Kristen was yawning by the time they finished eating. Kate guessed that she’d suddenly hit a wall. She knew how much it took out of her to be around that many people and to be ‘on’. Kate was feeling tired herself. It was almost ten, and she was full and ready for bed.
They said their goodbyes, and Jack drove them home and walked her to her door.
“I’d invite you in, but I’m afraid I might fall asleep on you,” she admitted.
He laughed. “No worries. I’m pretty tired too. But not too tired for a quick goodnight kiss?”
She nodded as he leaned in and lightly touched his lips to hers. The touch woke her as her senses went on high alert and she kissed him back. When he pulled away, they were both smiling.
“Thank you for a memorable night. Let’s do it again soon?”
“I’d like that.”
Abby tossed and turned all night. The ice cream hadn’t helped as she’d hoped. It only gave her an upset stomach and heartburn, which made it harder to sleep. When she’d run after Jeff, he’d been too mad to listen. She’d tried to talk to him, to explain, but he wasn’t having it. She knew he needed to cool down and process what he’d learned. She hoped after sleeping on it, that he’d calm down and be excited.
She called first thing the next morning when she woke up, but his cell phone was off. She left a message, asking him to call her as soon as he got up. But he waited all day until almost four in the afternoon to call. She’d stayed home, skipping her mother’s usual Sunday dinner because she didn’t want to miss his call, and she wasn’t in the mood to be around anyone.
“Where are you?” she asked when he finally called.
“At my brothers. I told you that last night.” He was still in a bad mood and wasn’t making it easy for her.
“I’m sorry, so sorry. Can I come see you, so I can explain, in person?” She needed to look in his eyes, hold his hands to see him in order to reach him. She didn’t want to plead her case on the phone.
“I guess you could come over.”
“I’ll see you in fifteen minutes.”
Abby quickly brushed her teeth and her hair and headed out the door. She made one stop along the way and arrived at Jeff’s brother’s house exactly fifteen minutes later. A very grumpy and tired looking Jeff opened the door when she rang the bell. He glanced at the bag she was holding.
“What’s that?”
“Our ice cream. I picked up a fresh carton. It worked when you came to see me, so I figured it couldn’t hurt.”
A slight smile came and went as Jeff turned and walked into the kitchen and got two bowls and spoons.
“Ice cream first. We can talk while we eat.”
That sounded fine to her. Jeff scooped out two generous servings and put the container in the freezer. They carried their bowls into the living room and sat on opposite ends of the sofa.
“So go ahead. Explain why you didn’t tell me about our baby. When did you find out, by the way?”
Abby took a deep breath. He wasn’t going to like her answer. “The day I asked you to leave.”
“Are you serious? You could have told me then. I never would have had to leave.”
Abby tried to explain. “I didn’t want you to change because of the baby. I wanted you to do it for me, because we were important enough.”
“Okay. So then why not tell me when I moved back in?”
“I wanted to make sure the change was real, that it would last. You’ve done that before you know. Changed for a few weeks then gone back to the long hours again. I just wanted to wait until I was sure.”
“So, you’re saying all this time you still haven’t been sure?” He sounded frustrated, and she didn’t blame him.
“No. The longer I waited, the harder it was to tell you, so I put it off. I wanted to tell you. I would have soon, I swear. I was just waiting for the right moment.”
“So, you’re not still unsure about us?” Jeff’s spoon clanged in his empty bowl as he set it on the coffee table.
“I’m completely sure. And I’m so glad that you know now. Are you excited about the baby?”
“Of course I am. I was just completely shocked. Especially since the IVF didn’t work. So I wasn’t expecting that we could do it naturally. Did the doctor explain why it happened now?”
“She said that sometimes that just happens when people stop trying and the pressure is off. So, are we okay now? Will you come home?” Abby needed him to come home. She was so relieved that he knew, finally. But she couldn’t relax until they were okay again.
“I guess I could come home.” He smiled. “Do you know what we’re having yet?”
“No, but we can find out in about six weeks. You can come with me then for the ultrasound, if you want to?”
“I want to.”