Page 85 of Carrying Your Lies
“Please excuse their childish banter. Malcolm,” he says, offering a handshake.
I take his hand and introduce myself again. “I’m so glad you could make it. Please help yourself to refreshments.”
“All your practice at the office is paying off.”
“Has he always been so annoying?” I ask Hadley.
“Yes! Finally, someone who doesn’t worship the ground he walks on,” Hadley screams. “If you need help getting rid of the body, call me.”
Huxley scoffs at us. “As if you could lift my body.”
I shrug my shoulders. “Who said anything about lifting? I’d take an axe and hack away.”
Hadley lifts her hand for a high-five. My hand meets hers with a laugh.
“I hate you guys. I thought it was my birthday?” The childlike pout is so unlike Huxley. His family clearly brings out a softer side to him. His eyes have a playful gleam, and he stands taller. He’shappy.
I step forward and wrap my arms around his neck. I don’t pay attention to all the eyes on us. Huxley reciprocates the hug by settling his hands on my waist. His sigh of bliss is felt in my heart. I place a soft kiss on his cheek.
“Happy birthday, sunshine.” I wipe away the red lipstick that stains his skin.
In front of all the guests, Huxley gets down to the floor and kneels in front of me. With a wide grin, he says, “Thank you for throwing a spectacular birthday party, sweetheart.”
My chuckle is echoed by his family and the other guests. “Stand up. You’re embarrassing me.” Under my makeup, my cheeks flush with heat. I look around the room with a shake of my head. My smile fades as Xavier leans against the wall with a hurt look. I divert my gaze away from him.
I had nothing to worry about because Huxley’s family are welcoming. They share stories of Huxley as a child, and my heart warms at them. Huxley doesn’t enjoy story time as much as I do, which makes me smile more. It’s easy to see how much he loves his family. When he thinks the world isn’t watching, I see the small smile that graces his lips as his parents talk. His eyes soften when Hadley throws her head back with laughter.
Huxley and I drift closer as time passes until his suit brushes against my bare arm. I look up at him while he looks at me with a smile. I look away, but a few moments later, his arm loosely rests on my waist. The touch ignites something in me, but it isn’t the fire of arousal I’m used to. This is something much more profound.
“Don’t they make a lovely couple?” Emery says as she joins the circle.
His mum has a knowing smile. “I would say perfect.” She looks past Emery at Xavier, who is walking over. “As perfect as you and your husband.”
Like the perfect gentleman, Xavier wraps his arms around Emery tight. He places a kiss on the side of her head. “Thank you.”
“We heard you’re having a baby,” Malcolm gushes.
Xavier’s piercing blue eyes land on me, but Emery answers. “All thanks to Savannah!”
“What a selfless thing!” his mum adds.
Hadley takes a sip of her champagne with a shake of her head. “I’m sorry, but I wouldn’t push a baby out of my lady parts for nobody except myself.”
Huxley narrows his eyes. “Not a worry for you because no man will ever get close enough.”
Hadley scoffs at him. “Just because you don’t have sex doesn’t mean every man is the same. Tell me, Sav, is it his choice, or does he repel women?”
I laugh at his annoyance. “I thought he was gay?”
All three women splutter on their drinks.
He glowers down at me. “Gay? Maybe I need to put a baby in you,” he mutters. Not quietly enough because everyone hears. They all bear a smirk except the man opposite me.
“She already has a baby in her,” Xavier remarks.
“Maybe after this one,” Emery jokes.
“I’d love to build the nursery.” Malcolm shared his passion for carpentry. He built most of the furniture in his house.
