Not His Bride Anymore novel · Chapter 11 of 24

Chapter 11: The Gala

Saturday night, the Netherland Hotel ballroom was gold and crowded and loud.

I wore the dark green velvet again.

Elliot walked in beside me with his hand at the small of my back, and this time the room was watching, and I let it.

I had put off my mother's birthday lunch until Sunday.

I would get to her after this.

Hartigan Design's five-year banner hung above the stage.

A hundred and twenty people held champagne glasses.

I saw Caleb's mother in a silver dress, her mouth set hard.

I saw the builder and the banker from Aldo's, and a table of men who bought houses from Caleb.

I saw Savannah at the front, in a navy dress that did not hide her stomach anymore, holding a glass of water.

She saw me, and she looked away.

At nine o'clock, the music stopped and Caleb climbed the steps.

He wore a good suit and the grin he used on clients.

"Friends," he said into the microphone. "Thank you for five years."

The room cheered.

"I built this firm with my hands and one very patient woman, and I want to be honest tonight."

He found Savannah in the crowd and held out a hand.

She climbed the steps.

He put his arm around her waist.

"Savannah and I are expecting a baby in the summer."

A gasp ran through the ballroom, and then scattered applause.

His mother put her glass down so hard it rang.

"I know it's a surprise," Caleb said. "Some of you know my history with another woman in this room. It was a hard chapter. I made mistakes. But Savannah is the person who stood by me."

He lifted his glass.

"To honesty."

I put down my champagne.

"Ainsley," Elliot murmured.

"I'm going up."

"I know. I'll be right behind you."

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