Chapter Four
Covington’s gaze bounced around the room taking in the mismatched tablecloths, the shelves covered in knickknacks and the varied photo frames hanging on the walls. In spite of the cold wind that followed them inside she felt instantly warm, as though someone had walked over and wrapped her up in a welcoming hug.
The place had so much character. So much life. There were plenty of places in Miami with both of those but Covington had never felt so at home before. Not even in her apartment had she felt this instantly relaxed.
Smiling, she turned to Tris. “I love it! It’s so…comfortable.”
“You want comfort? Wait until you taste the food.” Putting a hand on her lower back he steered her toward a table near the window. “Nothing and nobody beats Sue Ann’s Café for comfort food.”
She slid into the chair Tris pulled out as a grandmotherly woman with a beaming smile hurried their way. “Good to see you, Tristan. And who do we have here?” she asked when she arrived at the table and handed Covington a menu.
Tris smiled and made the introductions. “Sue Ann this is Covington. Cov, Sue Ann.”
The older woman smiled at her and said, “She’s prettier than your usual companion, Tristan.”
“I have to agree with you, Sue Ann.” Tris grinned. “Although perhaps we shouldn’t tell Dylan. Wouldn’t want to bruise his fragile ego.”
Sue Ann laughed. “That boy’s ego could do with a little bruising if you ask me.”
Tris held up his hands. “I’m not getting into that discussion.”
The door opened with a whoosh of cold air drawing Sue Ann’s gaze. “Oh. I’ll be right back. My grandson and his wife just came in.”
Covington watched as Sue Ann expertly wove her way through tables to the front door where the two people who had entered were removing their bulky jackets and scarves. They were easily recognizable in spite of their winter layers.
Karina Black and Ryan Perkins.
“Ryan Perkins is her grandson?” Cov leaned forward and whispered in disbelief.
“Yes. Do you know him?”
Her gaze swung back to Tris. “Know him? Everyone knows who Ryan Perkins is. And don’t get me started on how legendary Karina Black is.”
“Oh, right, you mean because they’re famous. I always forget that. They’re just Ryan and Karina around here.”
“They’re just…” She stared at Tris, her mouth hanging open.
To prove his point, Tris lifted his hand and waved. “Hey Ryan. Karina.”
Covington snapped her mouth closed and gripped the edges of her seat.
“Hi, Tristan. You get that furnace at Ms. Jane’s fixed yet?” Ryan asked.
“Yeah, I ripped it out. Decided not to risk another breakdown and installed a new one instead of repairing the outdated model.”
“Probably wise. I remember when Jane had that old one put in,” Sue Ann added. “Joe Pattinson did the job the year before he had his heart attack. Gosh, that must be a good twenty years ago now.”
“Do I know you from somewhere?”
Covington’s gaze zipped to the side, her eyes going wide and her stomach dipping low when she found Karina Black looking at her with interest. “I…um…”
“Karina, Ryan, this is Covington Valenti.”
Ryan smiled down at her. “Nice to meet you.”
“Covington’s an unusual name. I’d remember that if we’d met before. I could swear I know you though.” Karina offered her hand. “Welcome to Hope Falls.”
Reflexes had Covington taking the superstar singer’s hand. “T-thank you.”
“Cov’s a dancer. Maybe you two have worked together before,” Tris offered.
“No!” Covington shook her head. “We haven’t worked together.”
A strained silence followed her outburst and the comfort she’d felt moments ago vanished under a wave of embarrassment.
Ryan broke the awkward moment. “Well, we’ll let you get back to it.”
Karina smiled and said, “Enjoy your lunch,” before Ryan took her elbow and guided her toward the doorway at the back of the café.
“See. Just Ryan and Karina,” Tris said with a grin.
Covington pulled her eyes away from the disappearing duo and shook her head. “Sorry. There isn’t anything just about either one of them.”
“You two need a few more minutes to decide what you want,” Sue Ann asked.
“Oh.” Covington jumped. She’d forgotten the other woman was there.
Her mind had been taken over by two of the countries most famous singers. One of who was this woman’s grandson. Way to make an impression.
In an attempt to appear less like a star-struck idiot and more like a completely sane customer, she asked. “What would you recommend?”
“Depends on how hungry you are. Tristan here always has the pot roast with extra potato and gravy.”
Tris chuckled. “You know me well.”
“That sounds good. I’ll have that too.” Covington smiled and held out the menu. “And a glass of milk.”
“Your usual iced tea, Tristan?” At his nod Sue Ann took the menu from Covington and confirmed their order. “Glass of milk, iced tea and two roasts coming right up.”
After Sue Ann walked away Covington bent over and pressed her forehead against the table. Barely resisted the urge to thump her head on the hard surface. “Oh my god, I’m a complete idiot,” she muttered into the tablecloth.
“What makes you say that?” Tris wedged his hand between her head and the table.
Tipping her face up, she gazed at him with astonishment. “Are you serious? I just made a fool of myself because I couldn’t get over the fact Karina Black and Ryan Perkins weren’t just breathing the same air as me, they were talking to me.”
Tris laughed. “I’m sure you’re not the first to get a little tongue tied.”
“I wish my tongue had been tied.”
“You weren’t that bad.” He chucked her under the chin. “Don’t worry about it. Here come our drinks.”
At the mention of fluid a spasm gripped her bladder and she sat up straight, squeezing her legs together. “Oh.”
Tris frowned at her. “What?”
“I have to pee.”
Grinning, he pointed in the direction Karina and Ryan had gone. “That way.”
“Thanks.” Tightening her muscles, Covington waited until she was sure there would be no risk of leakage before she stood and dashed between tables and into the hallway.
She found the restroom and pushed inside almost taking out the woman coming out. “Sorry,” she called out as she rushed into the cubicle without looking back.
There were many things about being pregnant that Covington had discovered weren’t all glowing. One was her new toileting habit. No warning and no time to wait. In the beginning she’d been caught out a number of times. Even had to go so far as to carry a spare pair of panties in her handbag. Although she’d managed to avoid using them up until now, but you could bet the minute she stopped carrying them around she’d be back to peeing her pants.
The information leaflets might have mentioned the whole need-to-pee-every-other-second phenomenon, but they failed to explain the embarrassing side effects. Those she’d learned about first hand, and after having to purchase new underwear twice Covington had wised-up and come prepared from then on.
Relief flowed through her as coiled muscle unwound and the call of nature was answered. God. In the last few weeks peeing had taken the place of sex on the top of her list of best feelings ever. Except that one night with Tris. That was the best feeling ever. Which was sad when she thought about it. Sad that she’d only had one night and sad that before him she’d actually believed she knew what good sex was.
“You okay?”
Jolting on the seat, she threw out her hands, palms flat on the walls either side of her and was thankful her naked ass didn’t end up on the floor.
Karina Black wanted to know if she was okay? Had it been Karina she’d almost bowled over coming in here?
“Are you sick? Do you need help?” Karina asked.
“N-no. I’m fine.” What was with all these women asking her if she needed help to pee? Okay, fine, two women, but still, did she look as out of control as she felt?
Covington waited for the sound of footsteps or a door opening but heard nothing except her own harsh breathing. Why was she freaking out? Sure she’d idolized Karina Black for years, tried twice to get on the troop of dancers who toured with the singer and had dreamed about meeting her in Hope Falls with the purpose of getting some work but it wasn’t like she was auditioning now.
Except first impressions and all that…
She sighed.
She’d be forever known as the crazy pregnant woman in Karina’s grandmother-in-law’s café restroom.
Necessities taken care of, Covington tugged up her pants and thanked the cold weather for requiring bulky sweaters. The one she’d borrowed from Tris came to mid-thigh and hid the fact the pants she had on no longer reached around her middle and therefore sat precariously low on her hips. Good thing she’d grown an ass as well as a belly. That extra booty gave her pants something to hang on to.
“Going to have to bite the bullet and buy new clothes,” she muttered as she opened the stall door.
“What was that?”
“Argh!” Covington stumbled backwards, lost her footing and landed on the toilet. Thank god she’d closed the lid.
“Sorry.” Karina reached out a hand. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Oh, you didn’t…” She smiled. “Okay, you did.”
Taking the offered hand, Covington got to her feet and tried to pretend it wasn’t the Karina Black helping her up.
“Thanks.” Letting go of the singer’s hand, she moved past her to the basin and cringed at the thought of having touched Karina Black without washing her hands first. Did she point that out? Apologize? Suggest she wash her hands too?
“Blaine Cormack’s White Lace.”
“What?” Covington’s gaze met Karina’s in the mirror.
“You were the lead dancer in the video.”
“Oh. Yes. That was me.”
“I knew it! I never forget a face. I might not have known your name but I definitely remember your moves,” Karina explained.
Covington frowned. She’d worked on that clip the week before she’d found Dirk in bed with another woman.
It was her best work, even if she said so herself, and that lying cheating jerk had ruined it for her by being a douche. They’d wrapped early and she’d headed to Dirk’s to tell him about the bonus she’d gotten only to find him in bed with Steffii—double f, double i—the bulimic chick she’d beaten for the lead part in the video.
She still couldn’t understand why she hadn’t seen Dirk’s true colors before that day. When she looked back now it was like red flashing lights going off the whole time. God. She’d even let him talk her out of suspecting him of anything when she’d found a pair of panties in the wash that weren’t hers. Somehow he’d convinced her she must have scooped them up with her gear at the club she danced at two nights a week.
Can you say gullible? How about stupid?
“Hey. You okay?” Karina moved in beside her, placed a hand on her shoulder. “You’ve gone a little pale.”
“Hmm… Oh, sorry. Bad memories.” At the look of horror on Karina’s face Covington rushed to explain. “Not of Blaine or the video. Other stuff—personal stuff—I’d rather forget about that happened during the shoot.”
“Oh. Sorry I brought it up then.”
“No. No, it’s all right.” She shrugged. “I shouldn’t connect one with the other. It really was a great video and Blaine is a sweetheart.” Not to mention hotter than hot and the country’s latest pin-up hunk.
Although for all his gorgeousness, he hadn’t done it for her. The only one to manage that was Tristan, which said an awful lot about her relationship with Dirk. Something to ponder over at a later time for sure. Right now she should get back to Tris before he sent in a search party or came looking for her himself.
“I should get back to…”
“Oh, right. Your lunch.” Karina smiled. “Listen. This might seem strange but would you be interested in joining me and some of the other women in Hope Falls at a book club? It’s nothing formal or anything. And really, it’s more of a wine and gossip club but it’s fun and I’d love the chance to talk to you more.”
“I, um, really?” Why would Karina Black invite a virtual stranger to her book club?
“Of course. We’re always adding to the ranks and I bet Lily will want to ask questions about the choreographer of the White Lace video.”
“Well…”
“You don’t have to decide now. I’ll write down the details so if you want to come you know where and when. We’re at Amanda’s this week.”
“Amanda?”
“One of the original members of book club and one of my closest BFFs. You’ll like her. Everyone does.” Karina grinned and opened the door. “I’ll duck into the office and scribble down the details for you.”
“Thanks.” What else could she say? It wasn’t every day she got to hang out with Karina Black. Hell, it wasn’t any day. She wanted to laugh at the absurdity of the whole situation. “I’ll think about it and let you know.”
“Sure thing.”
They entered the hallway and paused, Covington’s back to the café. “Thanks again.”
“You’re welcome. How far are you?” Karina asked, gesturing to Covington’s slightly rounded belly.
“Four months.”
“Only four?” Karina’s face scrunched up as she realized what those two words implied. “Ah…I mean…”
Covington laughed. “Don’t worry. It’s twins. I’m told I’ll be bigger than a house before they’re born.”
“Twins? Wow. You’ll have your hands full. Good thing Tristan is more than capable of handling things. He’ll make a great father.”
Smiling, Covington nodded. “Yeah, he’s going to be the best.”
“Cov?”
Air rushed through her lips as she sucked in a breath. Closing her eyes, she whispered, “He’d behind me isn’t he?”
Keeping one eye squeezed shut Covington cracked the other to find Karina nodding at her, a smile of sympathy on her face.
Taking a deep breath, she opened her other eye and smiled. “I’ll let you know about the book club.”
“Sure. No pressure. I’ll bring you the details before you leave.”
Covington watched as Karina turned and walked away, disappearing into what she had to assume was the office. Taking another deep breath, this one filled with fear and shame and hope, she spun around and faced Tristan.