all of this, ladies. I’ll certainly keep it in mind.”
Not waiting for their responses, she turned and strode across the small crowd of women until she reached Everly and Sierra. Sierra stood out in the crowd thanks to her magenta-streaked hair, but her bold magenta gown drew even more attention. Beside her, Everly looked like a statuesque goddess in her black dress, her vibrant red hair swept up in an elegant style that looked stunning on her. Jasmine swore her belly had gotten bigger just in the couple weeks since her last PT appointment.
“Hi, ladies,” she greeted them.
“Jasmine,” Sierra said with sincere pleasure in her voice. “It’s so nice to see you.”
Jasmine wasn’t surprised when Sierra drew her into a hug despite them being virtual strangers. Sierra had struck her as the hugger type.
“It’s nice to see you too. How is little Noah?”
“Oh, don’t get me started,” Sierra said with a laugh. “I’ll have you looking at photos and videos on my phone for an hour. I’ll just say that he’s an absolute doll, and motherhood is both more exhausting and more rewarding than I ever thought it would be.”
“That sounds lovely.”
“It really is. I have to admit that while this event is fun and I’m happy to support Aunt Caroline, I miss him terribly. This is my first time away from him for this long.”
Jasmine reached out to pat her arm. “I’m sure he’s fine. You’ll be home and snuggling with him in no time.”
“That’s such a sweet image! Thanks.”
Nodding and turning to Everly, Jasmine asked, “And how are you feeling, Doc?”
“Good, thanks. I actually used the gift certificate you gave me earlier today. I really needed it too. Aiden’s been pressing on a nerve I didn’t even know I had. That massage made me feel like a new woman.”
“I’m so glad to hear it.” Thinking about what she said, she asked, “Is Aiden what you’re naming the baby?”
“Yes. It was my brother’s name.”
Jasmine caught the use of the past tense and suspected there was a story there. This wasn’t the time or place for that kind of conversation though.
“That’s nice,” she said. “Hopefully the baby pressing on your nerve now isn’t a sign of things to come.”
Everly and Sierra laughed.
“If he’s anything like his uncle, we’ll be just fine,” Everly said. When the band cued up a new song, she moved closer so she didn’t have to shout. “Are you enjoying yourself tonight?”
“I am. Will is quite entertaining and I’ve met some fascinating people.”
“Like Alexis and crew?” Everly murmured with a subtle glance in their direction.
“You mean The Girlfriends? Oh, yeah…that was quite fascinating.” Turning to Sierra, Jasmine said, “Did you know they said Evan married you because you got pregnant?”
Sierra shrugged. “That’s true enough.”
When Jasmine’s lips parted, Everly chuckled and gave her friend a light smack on the arm. “She’s being deliberately obtuse, which is why such rumors got started in the first place. Sierra feels, much as I do, that our personal lives are our business. The truth is that she and Evan were engaged for months before the pregnancy. They just changed their plans from a big wedding to an elopement once they found out.”
“Oh.” Finding that perfectly understandable, Jasmine dismissed everything The Girlfriends had told her. “I happen to think elopements are romantic. Where did you go for the wedding?”
“The coast of Mexico,” Sierra replied. “It was absolutely gorgeous. If you ever have a day on your hands, I’d love to show you photos.” Snapping her fingers, she said, “That reminds me. I’m ready to schedule a photoshoot with you. Let me get your phone number so I can text you with some dates.”
“Sure.”
They pulled their phones out of their purses and exchanged numbers. As Jasmine returned her phone to her purse, she happened to glance up and saw The Girlfriends giving her the stare-down. She deliberately ignored them.
“Would you like to meet the other wives?” Sierra asked.
“You mean I’m allowed?” Jasmine joked. “I was told this is The Wives’ Club. I’m just a mere One-Timer.”
Everly shook her head and guided Jasmine over toward a couple of the wives. “That’s all nonsense created by…what did you call them? The Girlfriends? That seems a fitting name.”
“We try to include the dates in these things,” Sierra explained, “but none of them seem comfortable talking to us.”
Jasmine figured that was due to The Girlfriends’ rousing orientation speech.
Her attention was turned as she met the other wives and made small talk. The photos of the team ended about