“It still seems new to me.” Christy shook her head. Until she’d met Tom, she’d thought she was the most career-driven person she knew. “David and I haven’t even been seen out together as a couple yet.”
“Being seen out on the town is always good.” Tom’s expression grew thoughtful. “But it’s not enough. We need something more. Something newsworthy.”
“Hmm.” She tried to remember the invitations David had mentioned when she’d called to discuss the furniture delivery. “Let’s see. His aunt Dorothy invited us to dinner. The St. Louis Chamber of Commerce is hosting some kind of black-tie event. And, oh yes, his friend Sara Michaels recently got married and is having a party at her home.”
“Sara Michaels?” Tom sat up straight in his seat. “The Christian singer?”
Christy nodded. “That’s the one.”
“You’re going.”
“I can’t,” Christy said. “The party is tomorrow night.”
“So?”
“You’ve obviously forgotten I have an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times on Monday.” Christy couldn’t hide her surprise. The interview was for a feature story. It wasn’t like Tom to forget something that important. “That’s the whole reason I’m staying until next Tuesday.”
“The interview can be done over Zoom,” Tom said.
“It’s just a party,” Christy said. “What’s the big deal?”
“Sara Michaels is red-hot in the music industry right now,” Tom said. “At the very least it’ll be a good photo op. But I’m going to do my best to see if we can get some air time, too.”
“But what if the media isn’t interested?”
“Leave that to me.” Tom pulled his cell phone from his pocket and handed it to Christy. “Call your husband and tell him your plans have changed. Tell him you wouldn’t miss his friend’s party for the world.”
“Anything else?” Christy asked dryly.
“Yeah, give him a kiss for me.” Tom grinned. “This guy is the best thing that ever happened to your career.”
Christy stared at the scrap of paper in her hand and glanced at the numbers on the house in front of her.
“Do you want me to wait?” The cabdriver watched Christy in the rearview mirror.
“No, thank you.” Christy handed him a couple of bills and opened the door. “I’m meeting my husband. I’ll ride home with him.”
The man watched Christy straighten her dress and smooth her hair. “Lucky guy.”
Though the words were said so softly she wasn’t sure the driver even meant her to hear, they bolstered her sagging confidence and she shot him a brilliant smile. “I’ll be sure and tell him you said so.”
She squared her shoulders and headed up the walk, praying that David was there and that he’d be glad to see her.
Though Tom had urged her to call David, Christy hadn’t wanted to promise something she couldn’t deliver. She’d waited until she was actually on the plane to call him. Unfortunately she’d gotten his voicemail and discovered it was full. She was going to text, then decided to surprise him.
After she’d landed, Christy checked in to a hotel and gone shopping for a new dress.
Now she stood in front of a strange house breathing in the cool night air, more scared than excited. Though she and David had attended lots of parties together in high school, this was different. Tonight she felt like a schoolgirl on her first date.
Christy took a deep breath and raised her hand. The door opened before she had a chance to knock.
A ruggedly handsome man with thick dark hair and watchful brown eyes stood in the doorway. “Sara thought she heard someone drive up.”
His gaze searched her face. Even before he spoke again Christy could see him trying to place her and coming up short. “I’m Sal Tucci, Sara’s husband. I’m sorry, but I don’t believe we’ve met?”
“I’m Christy Fairchild, I mean, Christy Warner. David’s wife.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He smiled and opened the door wide. “Come on in. Last I saw your husband he was over by the fireplace talking to my wife. I’ll take you to him.”
Christy stepped inside the foyer and glanced around. A cozy blend of contemporary and country, the inside of the home was a marriage of several styles and periods. From the flagstone floor beneath her feet to the hand-stenciled wall treatment reminiscent of Ottoman motifs it all served to give the home an aesthetic lift that Christy found very appealing. “You have a beautiful place.”
“Thanks. We haven’t even lived here very long, but it already seems like home,” Sal said. “Of course, I think I could live anywhere with Sara and it would feel like home.”
“That’s what it’s like when you’re in love,” Christy said lightly.
“By the way, congratulations on your marriage. I have to tell you it took us by surprise,” Sal said. “But we’re happy for both of you. And we’re happy you could join us tonight.”
“I’m glad I was able to make it.” Christy smiled and walked with him to an arched doorway.
The long living room was divided into two distinct areas, one a comfortable contemporary arrangement by a fireplace, the second a similar grouping at the opposite end of the space. Between the two areas sat an oak center table.
“Sara.” The man at her side called to an angelic-looking blonde standing by the fireplace and motioned for her to come.
The woman smiled a goodbye to her companions and slipped quickly through the crowd to stand beside her husband. He slipped his arm around her and kissed the top of her head.
Christy’s heart lurched at the loving gesture.
“I’m Sara Michaels.” The blonde extended her hand, not waiting for her husband to perform the introductions.
“Christy Fair—” She stopped herself. “Christy Warner. David’s wife.”
“Christy!” Sara squealed and gave Christy a quick hug. “I’m so glad you made it. I can’t tell you how disappointed I was when David told me you weren’t coming. The whole reason I had the party was to welcome you to St. Louis.”
Men. Christy returned the hug and swallowed her irritation. David had made this sound like just another party invitation. If she’d known the situation, she would have changed her plans when he’d first asked. And not waited until Entertainment Today agreed to send a camera crew.
“Everything fell into place at the last minute,” Christy said simply.
“I’m so glad.” Sara glanced up at her husband, her face shining. “Can you believe it? David’s new wife.”
“I know.” His smile was indulgent and Christy could tell these two had what she’d always wanted in a marriage. She still hoped that one day her own husband would look at her with eyes brimming with love.
“By the way, where is David?” Sal said.
Christy had just been thinking the same thing. She’d quickly scanned the room when she’d first walked in, but David had been nowhere in sight.
Sara laughed. “I hate to admit this, but he and Lauren are in the kitchen whipping up some of his famous vegetable dip.”