Now she had a wedding and a very determined, very possessive werewolf awaiting her arrival. She shuddered, and her stomach heaved again just thinking of Rory’s reaction when he learned of his impending fatherhood. She’d never get away from him now.
This was one time she’d better have her shit together and know what she was doing.
The next day Shayla stopped the rental in front of Kiesha’s house, nervous for the first time in remembrance about seeing her family. Inside were her parents, Kiesha and her fiancé, Alex Wolfe, and who knew whom else. She wiped sweaty palms on her pants as she gazed at the closed front door.
In no rush to see them, she flipped down the visor and took in her appearance. Her thick, silky black hair had grown like weeds, and instead of its usual short, spiked style, she wore it pulled back into a ratty ponytail. Today’s hair gel color was hot pink to go with her black and pink fatigues and hot pink T-shirt. Her complexion was a bit more yellow than normal, and there were dark, raccoonlike circles under her rounded, brown eyes. Usually she wore her African Asian heritage well, garnering a lot of second looks and even a few modeling offers. Today was not one of those days.
Shayla flipped the visor back into position and sighed. She would feel a lot better about facing everyone if she’d been able to devise a plan of action. The best she’d been able to come up with was to get through the weekend without anyone discovering her pregnancy. Oh, and to avoid Rory at all costs.
While she realized she needed to tell him about the baby they’d created, she couldn’t do it right now. She was too raw and still uncertain how she felt about the situation. It wasn’t like she’d planned on being a mother—ever. This was a major blip in her life-map configuration. So ’scuze her if she simply wasn’t ready to factor his feelings into the equation. When she’d had time to adjust and was more in control of herself, well, then they could discuss it.
As she procrastinated, trying to work up the courage to exit the car, the front door opened and Kiesha stepped out. No more lingering. If she stayed in the car any longer, Kee would get suspicious. Planting a smile on her face, Shayla grabbed her overnight bag, laptop case, and purse and opened the car door.
It’s showtime!
“Shayla Nei Morgan! It’s about time you showed up.” Kiesha’s hands were planted on her hips, making her pregnant belly protrude more.
Shayla winced inwardly at the sound of her full name. “Sorry, Kee. The project took longer than I thought or I would have been here sooner. You got everything done? Was Mary Elizabeth able to help you?” While awaiting her answer, she reached into the backseat of the vehicle and pulled out her suitcase, dropping it on the ground and extending the handle so she could roll it to the door.
“Yeah, she was a big help, but it wasn’t the same. She’s my best friend, but you’re family. We’ve been planning this day since we were kids.”
She stopped before Kiesha, dropped her belongings, and gave her cousin a big hug. “Yeah, but when we were kids, we never imagined the groom would be a werewolf,” Shayla said drily.
“True.” Kiesha laughed. “And the wedding was supposed to be a double.”
“Me? Married?” Shayla gave a shudder that was only partially fake, unable to imagine it.
“That’s what I said, and you see what happened to me. Just wait. Your day’s coming.”
At one time she would have agreed. That was before discovering how difficult it was to find a man completely accepting of her, weirdness and all. Letting Kiesha’s statement go without comment, she picked up her things and allowed her cousin to drag her into the house.
The house was amazingly silent considering all the people that were supposed to be here. “Where’s Mom and Dad?”
“Uncle Frank got delayed. Some hush-hush project he’s working on and couldn’t leave. They won’t make it in until tomorrow afternoon, just in time for the wedding.”
Good. Not that she didn’t want to see her parents, but the less people she had to pretend for the better, especially when these were the people who knew her best. “Okay, that’s the ’rents accounted for. Where’s Alex and everyone else?”
“Alex is in the kitchen—”
“Of course,” she interrupted. “Where else would he be?” Kiesha hated cooking. Fortunately for her, Alex loved to cook. It worked well for them. “So I take it the prerehearsal brunch has been changed to something else? What’s our itinerary now?”
“We’re meeting at the church this evening to do a quick run-through, then coming back here for dinner.”
“And my dress?”
“Already in your room, hanging in the closet.” Kiesha laid a hand on Shay’s arm. “You’re sure you want to stay here? Since Shannon moved in with Nikolai, the house is empty.”
Puzzled, Shay asked, “Aren’t Alex’s parents coming for the wedding?”
Kiesha snapped her finger. “That’s right. I forgot, but I’m sure they wouldn’t mind putting you up. You could stay in the basement. Lord knows, with all the stuff Shannon added, it’s like a mini-apartment down there.”
“No! I mean, that’s okay. I’d rather be here with you.” Shay scrambled to catch the bags that slipped from her lax fingers before her cousin noticed her knee-jerk reaction at the mention of the basement where she and Rory had—
She immediately shut down the rest of that thought.
Having already taken steps to lead her to the first-floor guest room where she’d be staying, Kiesha stopped, turned back, and looked at her strangely. “Shay, are you all right?”
“I’m fine. Why do you ask?”
“Why do I ask?” Kiesha looked behind Shayla, then all around her. Turning her piercing, brown-eyed gaze back to Shay and pinning her with a look, she asked, “All right, you imposter. Where’s my cousin and what have you done with her?”
Shayla giggled nervously and fidgeted under the intense scrutiny. “Kee, I’m fine. Really. Just tired. Remember I flew across the country after working around the clock trying to finish in order to make it here in time. A good night’s sleep and I’ll be back to my usual self.” The lie Shay had told Kiesha about why she’d not been able to come early to help with the wedding preparations as planned had turned into a self-fulfilling prophecy. Due to the severe morning sickness she’d been experiencing, she’d gotten seriously behind on her project.
Kiesha leaned in until she was only inches away, causing Shay to draw back and hug her laptop case to her chest. “That explains the dark circles under your eyes. What about the yellow tinge to your skin?”
“Hellooo, I’m half-Japanese. Remember?” She shook her head and went to walk around Kiesha, mentally willing her to let it go.
“Shay…” Kiesha growled as she stepped into her pathway, hands on her hips.
Shayla sighed heavily. Of course Kee wouldn’t. “I picked up some kind of virus while away. I’m over the worst of it, but my stomach’s still a bit unsettled.” She wanted to whoop for joy as the lie rolled off her tongue. Though unplanned, it was perfect. It would explain any sickness she experienced this weekend that couldn’t be hidden.
Kiesha’s eyes narrowed. Whether in concern or because she suspected the falsehood, Shayla couldn’t tell. Just when she was ready to push past her cousin and continue toward the bedroom, Kiesha spoke. “As long as you’re feeling better now.”
“Much. Now let’s go so I can put this stuff down and see my outfit. It had better be as nice as you described. You know how I feel about wearing dresses. Wedding or not, if it’s hellish, I’ll show up in my fatigues. I’m sure I have some that will fit your color scheme.”