Lucky Charm (Lucky 1)

“I really don’t think you’re giving Richard enough credit. A man who loves you as much as he does will do anything to keep you.”

Sharon shook her head and laughed. “You’re a good friend.” She inhaled a shaky breath. “Listen, let’s get through tonight and I’ll think about telling Richard. Okay?”

Gabrielle nodded with a short jerk of her head. “Okay.”

“Hey, ladies, you’re both looking exceptionally beautiful tonight,” Derek said as he strode up to their table.

Despite her position facing the front door, Sharon had been so engrossed in conversation, she hadn’t even seen Derek come in.

“What are you doing here?” Realization dawned and Sharon looked from Derek to Gabrielle. “You promised to keep this between us,” Sharon said, feeling betrayed.

Gabrielle’s cheeks flushed red. “No, I promised to keep it from Richard. I never said I wouldn’t tell Derek.”

Sharon closed her eyes and shook her head.

“Come on. Don’t tell me you aren’t more comfortable knowing we have backup in case it’s necessary,” Gabrielle said, her voice close to Sharon’s ear.

She exhaled slowly and forced herself to think. “You’re right,” she said at last. “I feel better knowing we’re not alone,” she admitted. She lifted her head and faced her friends.

Derek placed his hand on the back of her chair and leaned in close. “Your secret’s safe with me. And so are you.” Since there were no empty chairs, he stood beside Gabrielle and gestured to the cocktail waitress weaving between tables and crowds. “We’ll get you through this,” Derek promised her.

She wanted to believe him.

“Ladies? Drinks?” Derek asked.

“I’m fine.” Sharon pointed to the half-empty glass on the table. It was already watered down from the ice and she wasn’t interested in another. She just wanted this night to be over with.

She glanced at her watch. Another fifteen minutes to go and even then she didn’t have any sort of plan.

She rose from her seat. “I have to go to the bathroom.”

“Do you want me to go with you?” Gabrielle pushed back her chair, ready to be Sharon’s shadow.

“No.” Sharon waved her hand. “Sit back down and relax. I’ll be fine. Derek, take my chair, please,” she said, walking away.

“Hurry back,” Sharon heard Gabrielle call to her.

Sharon headed through the crowd, which was marginally younger than she was, and definitely hipper. She found the ladies’ room down a long hallway and was about to push open the door when someone jostled into her.

She whirled around, her heart beating hard in her chest, and bumped into a woman exiting.

“I’m sorry. I tripped,” the woman said as she righted herself.

“No problem. Are you okay?” Sharon asked.

“I’m fine.”

Sharon walked inside, heading for the mirror and sink area.

Alone, she leaned both hands against the counter and blew out a long stream of air. God, she had to calm down. She consoled herself with the thought that soon enough, this would all be over.

She just wished she knew when.

GABRIELLE KNEW SHE HAD just a small window of time alone with Derek before Sharon returned, the drama of the evening with her.

“I appreciate you being here. So does Sharon despite how she’s acting. She’s a nervous wreck,” Gabrielle said.

“I can’t say I blame her. I’m just glad you don’t have to face it alone.”