swapped seats with Molly so she could sit next to Sarah.
Sarah had always been intimidated by Thea, wasn’t quite over it even now they were so much closer. Not only was the other woman sleekly beautiful, she had a cutting intelligence and fierce confidence. It was rumored she ate paparazzi for breakfast, then crunched their bones for a midmorning snack.
Sarah could well believe it.
But as with Lola, Thea had an incredibly kind heart under her battle armor and was ferocious in protecting her own.
“Hi.” Sarah held up her flute of sparkling water.
Thea clinked it with her champagne flute. “No taste for grape juice? I made sure the limo was stocked with your favorite kind.”
“I’m scared I’ll spill it, and then there goes this dress.” Sarah petted the fabric. “I’d probably burst out crying.”
“Remind me to tell you about the time I all but poured coffee on myself fifteen minutes before a meeting while wearing a white sheath dress,” Thea said dryly. “I had to send my poor intern on a clothing run to the nearest boutique that knew my size and style. The girl was so terrified she’d make the wrong choice that she talked the boutique owner into giving her ten dresses for me to choose from.”
“I can’t imagine you spilling coffee on yourself,” Sarah admitted. “It’s like asking me to believe that you’re a mere mortal.”
Thea burst out laughing, the gorgeous golden hue of her skin flushed with delight. “Excellent,” she said afterward. “That means my campaign to convince people I’m a shark who sleeps with one eye open continues to be a success.”
Sarah grinned. “I’m glad you’re on my side.”
“Always.”
Sarah thought of the portfolio Thea had built on Jeremy, digging up things Sarah hadn’t even known existed and that could get Jeremy blacklisted within his industry. “It’s insurance,” Thea had told her. “I want you to have all this so that if he ever threatens you, you can quietly slip one of these pieces of information into your response—and make sure he knows the proof is held elsewhere and will be released if he doesn’t back off.”
“Thank you.” Sarah’s words came from the heart. “For everything you’ve done for me.”
Thea nudged her gently with her shoulder. “It’s what friends do.”
Sarah didn’t point out that they hadn’t been friends back when the violence happened. Thea, she’d learned, had trouble with overt acknowledgement of her kindness. “How’re the wedding plans coming along?” she asked instead, grateful she had so many wonderful women in her life.
Thea’s gaze softened, her eyes going to David before she glanced back at Sarah. “I can’t wait to be married to him,” she said. “I want to put a damn ring on his finger so the entire world knows he’s mine.”
Sarah smiled. “I’m pretty sure that isn’t in question. He’s crazy about you, and he doesn’t care who knows.” Just like Abe made no effort to hide his love for Sarah.
It made her breathless each time he took her hand, or put his on her lower back, or laughingly stole a kiss on the beach. He’d figured out pretty quick that while Sarah was shy about public displays of affection, she liked what he did to her.
In front of her, Thea’s expression was open, unshielded, exposing a very private side to this strong, powerful woman. “David’s my North Star,” she said quietly.
Sarah’s eyes stung at the simple, passionate declaration.
Taking a shaky breath, Thea sipped from her champagne before continuing. “My parents and David’s parents are as thick as thieves, and they’re lining everything up for a big wedding.” Her face glowed. “I don’t care as long as I get to marry my man.”
Sarah could already almost see Thea’s tall and svelte body in an elegant wedding dress, her hand on her father’s arm as they walked down the aisle. “Have you chosen your gown yet?”
Thea had just parted her lips to answer when the limo came to a halt. Putting down her champagne flute, she said, “We’re here,” then snapped her fingers. “Foxy, you exit first. Everyone’s gaga to see you at your first formal event post-wedding.”
“Do you ever take the night off?” Fox asked, picking up Molly’s hand to press a kiss to the back of it.
David was the one who answered. “Yes. I have to use rope and hide all her gadgets, and unplug the Wi-Fi modem so she can’t use my gadgets, but yes.”
Pointing a finger at the drummer while everyone else grinned, Thea said, “You are in trouble.”
“I love being in