Page 81 of Can't Win 'Em All
Opal pulled out her phone. “I’ve got this. Just take a breath and work on your makeup. Leave the rest to us.”
REX SHOWED UP FIVE MINUTES EARLY.Thankfully, I was dressed and somewhat calmer than I had been. Opal came through with a dress. One of the local maternity stores delivered a simple black sheath that fit me perfectly and managed to be flattering. Olivia had helped me with a pair of thigh-highs but since my feet were still swollen, I’d opted for flats instead of heels. I’d pulled my hair back and went with minimal makeup, spending more time on my eyes than anything else. The pregnancy vitamins had given me the sort of glow I always coveted. I figured I might as well take advantage of it.
“Hey.” I felt awkward when I opened the door.
Rex, dressed in a nice suit with his hair perfectly in place, offered up a soft smile as he looked me over. “Hey.” His voice was husky. “You look really nice.”
I smoothed down the front of my dress. It was simple, which made it elegant. “Thank you. You look nice too.”
He nodded, a tempest flitting through his eyes. “Damn, Ruby, you look really good.” He stepped into the suite far enough to plant a kiss on my cheek. His smile was easygoing, but his eyes were curious as they roamed the living room. “Have you been drinking?” His tone wasn’t accusatory as much as curious.
“What?” I followed his gaze to the empty wine glasses. “Oh, no.” I shook my head and giggled. “I needed help getting ready. Your sister and my sisters swooped in.”
“And they helped by drinking? That doesn’t seem very nice since you can’t drink.”
“I know, right?” I shook my head. “They did help me get a dress that fits, so I can’t be too angry at them.”
“The dress is beautiful,” Rex agreed. “You’re even more beautiful, though.”
I thought my cheeks were going to catch fire. “Thank you.”
His gaze was seeking, as if he was looking for something specific. Then he straightened. “So, it’s cold out. It isn’t much of a walk, but I still don’t want you freezing. Do you have a coat?”
“Are you asking if I have a coat that will fit?” I teased.
“That hadn’t even occurred to me.”
“You don’t think of me as fat?” I was honestly curious.
His eyes narrowed. “No. You’d better not be thinking of yourself as fat either. I don’t like that.”
“I can’t help it.” I was rueful. “When you go into your closet and none of your clothes fit, it’s kind of like a slap upside the head.”
“Is that why you’re the way you are with snacks?”
I shrugged. “I’ve heard stories about women who put on a hundred pounds when they’re pregnant. At my age?—”
“Stop with the age thing.” Rex was firm. “You’re thirty-five. You’re still young. And, Ruby, you’re beautiful. You’ve always been beautiful. Don’t let your doubts get in the way of the truth.”
“I can’t help it. My body doesn’t feel like my own right now.” I shrugged. “I’m self-conscious and I don’t understand why anybody could look at me and see anything other than a fat woman.”
“Ruby…” Annoyance ran roughshod over Rex’s features. “You don’t see yourself as you really are. I guess I can understand why you don’t feel as if your body belongs to you right now. I get that part. You are sharing space with our little alien.”
I smirked.
“You’re beautiful, though,” he continued. “Everybody who sees you feels it. I wish you could feel it.”
“Me too.”
“Well, I’ll just have to keep telling you.” He dragged his gaze away from my face, although it looked as if it took effort. “Get your coat, then we’ll be on our way. They’re expecting us at seven-thirty.”
“I still can’t believe you got reservations at the Eiffel Tower.” It made me laugh. “There’s nothing more Vegas than that.”
“Just wait.” His tone was charming. “You haven’t seen anything yet.”
REX HADN’T JUST MADE RESERVATIONS ATthe Eiffel Tower. He’d secured one of the best tables in the restaurant. We were up against the glass, a clear view of the Bellagio fountains. The way the table was set up, we were basically sitting next to one another rather than across from each other. It was weird, and yet comfortable all the same.
“Wow.” My breath clogged in my throat when the fountains began their inevitable illuminated dance. “You forget when you live here and see something all the time.”
