Happily This Christmas (Happily Inc #6) - Susan Mallery Page 0,89
Wynn checked the contents. There were dozens of small scones in four different flavors, along with an equal number of petit fours.
“Garrick got the sandwiches this morning,” Wynn said. “I was about to take them out of the refrigerator so they can warm up a little. We can put the petit fours in their place.”
“Good idea.”
Carol helped her take the sandwiches out and put in the little desserts, then they unpacked the small terra-cotta pots filled with chocolate and vanilla cupcakes topped with a little beehive of frosting.
“Too cute,” Carol said, setting them on the kitchen table. “Her guests are going to love these. What about drinks?”
“Already done. I put out the two drink servers we borrowed from Silver. One has lemonade and one has a sparkling fruit punch. It’s Silver’s recipe.”
“But nonalcoholic,” Carol said.
Wynn nodded. “I think a little vodka would be a nice touch, but of course we’re not going to do that.” Although if there was any left over, spiking a glass of punch would be a fun reward for the long day.
The doorbell rang. Wynn excused herself to answer it. She opened the door to find a beautiful blonde in her late thirties standing on the porch.
She was well-dressed in black trousers and a deep purple twinset. Diamond studs flashed at her ears. They were about the biggest diamonds Wynn had ever seen in real life, or so she thought until she caught a glimpse of the woman’s wedding set.
“You must be Alisha,” she said, hoping her tone was warm rather than resentful. Really? Did Garrick’s ex have to be gorgeous, well-dressed and perfectly made-up? Couldn’t she be just a little frumpy? “I’m Wynn. It’s nice to meet you.”
Alisha smiled warmly. “I’ve heard so much about you from Garrick. Thank you for all you’ve done for my daughter. I hope she hasn’t been too...difficult.”
“Pregnancy is hard,” Wynn said, stepping back to let the other woman inside. Carol joined them and introduced herself.
“The party is just getting started,” Carol said. “Why don’t I walk you back to the pool area?”
“Thank you.” Alisha looked around the living room. “This is very nice. I see Garrick has finally gotten to the place in his life where he wants more than just a sofa and a giant TV. Good for him.”
Wynn smiled rather than comment, then returned to the kitchen. There wasn’t much for her to do, but it beat watching the reunion between mother and daughter. Not that she cared that Joylyn would be happy to see her mom. And it was nice of Alisha to make the drive. And Wynn really didn’t care about her opinion about anything. It was just Alisha was a lot more impressive than she’d imagined.
Garrick walked into the kitchen. “Everything is under control out on the patio. I came to see how I could help you with the food and stuff.”
“Alisha’s here.”
“I saw.” He looked at her. “Wait a second. Was that an observation, or was it one of those short sentences loaded with a ton of meaning and I’m about five seconds away from being in serious trouble?”
She drew in a breath. “You’re not in trouble. I just thought she would be different.”
“How?”
“Less amazing.”
He frowned. “How is she amazing? I’m not saying anything bad about her but she’s just, you know, a girl I dated in high school.”
Wynn appreciated the words and knew he was right, but somehow she’d never expected Alisha to surprise her.
“She’s very put together,” she said.
He looked confused. “What does that mean?”
“Her clothes.”
The confusion grew. “She has on pants and a top thing.”
Wynn held in a smile. “It’s a twinset and it’s lovely.”
“But you look better.”
Wynn glanced down at her cropped pants and the boat neck T-shirt she’d put on. A step up from her usual at-home uniform of jeans, but not by much.
“Did you see her diamond earrings?” she asked.
“No. Is she wearing earrings?” He shifted uncomfortably. “Wynn, I’m lost here. What’s going on?”
She was being ridiculous. Alisha was nothing to Garrick—she hadn’t been for decades. There was absolutely no reason to get riled up about her. So what if she was perfectly dressed and more than pretty?
“Sorry,” Wynn said, stepping close and putting her hands on his chest. “I had a moment of insecurity. It’ll pass.”
He drew her against him. “You are the last person who should ever be insecure. You’re perfect.”
She laughed. “I wish that were true, but I think we both know it’s not.”