“If you need time to prepare to take custody—”
“That won’t be necessary,” she replied to John with a little more bite to her response than she’d expected. Felicia needed her family desperately. She turned to Ms. Ellen, who was now holding a sleepy Alyia over her shoulder. “Are you prepared to continue your role as Alyia’s nanny, even if that means leaving Atlanta?”
“Ms. Felicia, I’m a widow with three grown sons who aren’t married. So until they decide to give me grandchildren—” she kissed Alyia’s cheek “—I’m at this little angel’s disposal, no matter where it takes me.”
“Good. Please pack your things. We’re heading to Texas.”
Felicia exited the limousine, stopping long enough to admire the picturesque lighting display marking the beginning of the holiday season before walking into the lobby of the Mandarin Oriental, one of Atlanta’s premier hotels, known for its irresistible Southern charm. Felicia wound her way through its immaculately decorated lobby, when a life-size photo of the only man she’d ever desired stopped her in her tracks...again.
“Griffin,” Felicia whispered, staring up at the image.
A beautiful, more confident version of herself came and stood at Felicia’s side and looked up at the picture. “Really?” her sister Farrah asked, the sarcasm coming through loud and clear. “I get that Griffin is some big shot now, but is this really necessary?”
“I guess so,” Felicia replied, shrugging.
“You okay?”
“I can’t believe I’m doing this, and in this dress, too,” Felicia said looking down at the sparkly red number that left her shoulders bare and not a single curve to the imagination.
“You returned to Texas nearly a month ago with a beautiful bundle of scrumptiousness in the form of my new niece, determined to do the right thing. Since Dr. Big Deal—” Farrah used her head to gesture toward Griffin’s picture “—refused to reach back out to you after all the attempts you made to contact him, we’re forced to return to Atlanta and confront him in person.”
“We?”
“Yes, we. You know I wasn’t going to let you do this by yourself.”
Felicia sighed. “I guess you’re right.”
“Of course I am. Besides, it’s either here or the hospital. And what’s wrong with that dress?” Farrah grimaced, causing her brow to rumple.
“I look like you,” Felicia replied, her eyebrows standing at attention.
“Of course you do,” she said, admiring her reflection in the wall of mirrors leading toward a bank of elevators. “You’re one-third of a fabulous set of identical triplets...well, almost identical. What do you expect?”
“I meant the dress,” Felicia amended on a weary sigh. “This is more your style, not mine.”
“I hate to break it to you, baby sister,” Farrah said, shaking her head and patting Felicia on the shoulder. “You have no style.” Felicia parted her lips to protest but wasn’t given the chance as her sister added, “Multicolored scrubs and white lab coats don’t count.”
In her world, fashion was a distant third to family and focusing on her career, since so many of the diseases she chased could wipe out entire cities within mere days. Felicia glared at her sister, even though she knew she was right.
“That dress looks fabulous on you,” Farrah reassured.
“It has all these glittery stones,” she said, picking at her dress. “And it’s strapless.”
“First off, they’re Swarovski crystals. And of course the dress is strapless. You have the body to pull it off and it’s about time you flaunted it. Besides...” She paused to fix a wayward strand of Felicia’s hair and then flashed a look at the poster once again. “You can’t see your long-held crush after all these years to tell him that you both have a beautiful nine-month-old baby girl looking anything less than magnificent. You weren’t expecting that life-altering news, and neither is he.”
Griffin had been Felicia’s lab and research partner and close friend since her first day of medical school. While she’d nurtured a secret desire for him, Felicia had always known it would never lead to anything, since he only saw her as a smart, good friend. Besides, they had been headed in different directions professionally, Felicia to the CIA and Griffin to a prestigious cardiac fellowship in Georgia.
“But—”
“No buts. You’re a gorgeous woman,” her sister said, flipping over a crystal that was turned upside down. “And it’s time you showcased it and stopped hiding behind your job. Live a little.”
“Like you?” she asked, unable to hide her sarcastic tone while giving her sister’s long, black, low-cut halter dress the once-over.
“Exactly like me.” Farrah smiled, winking at Felicia, showing the more mischievous side that she was known for.
Farrah, the second-born of the Blake triplets, was a no-nonsense corporate attorney for their family’s firm. She also didn’t believe in filters and considered herself a connoisseur of all things fabulous and expensive. Unfortunately her efforts at getting the most subdued of the three of them to follow in her stiletto-covered footsteps was met with constant resistance.
Farrah grabbed her sister’s hand and pulled her forward. “I know why we’re here, but how often do you get to dress up for a night out with your big sister?”
“Almost never.”
“See, killing two birds with one stone.” Farrah offered her a satisfied grin. “I love how this hotel combined contemporary furnishing and artwork with classic luxury.”
“It is lovely,” Felicia agreed. “The red roses and calla lily bouquets placed everywhere smell divine.”
“Those crystal-drop chandeliers at the front of the hotel,” Farrah said, looking over her shoulder, “would look great in our Paris apartment, don’t you think?”
“Yes, but focus, please. You sure about this, Farrah?” Felicia frowned, biting her bottom lip. “I mean, we are crashing the man’s big night.”
“I’m sure, and stop biting your lip,” she admonished, frowning and swiping at her sister’s hand. “We’re not crashing anything. We were invited by a client and family friend,” she reminded, returning all the smiles and waves being sent their way. “Look, you have to give your boss a final answer about the promotion and you have to settle things before you and Alyia make such a big move.” She nodded to a man walking past them. “Don’t be rude. Loosen up and mingle a little.”
Felicia wasn’t oblivious to all the attention they were receiving as they made their way through the lobby. In fact, she was used to it. Only, Felicia rarely found herself the center of that attention and never wanted it, for that matter. She was more comfortable being a background singer in their sisterly trio.
“Farrah, wait,” Felicia said, halting her progress. “I really don’t think this is a good idea. Maybe now isn’t the time or the place to spring this kind of news on him.”
“Look, sis, we’ve tried it your way already and you didn’t get a response. You’ve called and left messages, sent emails... Hell, you even sent those damn flowers.”
“It was a congratulations