“You got over it pretty quickly. I saw you in the papers with Allen Wainwright the other day.”
“I had to do something to get rid of the pain.” She sipped water and eyed her friend. “I need you to help me get him back.”
Talia looked at her, startled. “What?”
“Darling, you and I both know that she isn't his type and not the right fit for him. He's mine.”
“He isn't a possession, Caroline,” Talia pointed out. “And I think he's going to stay married to Donna.”
“You've switched sides?”
“I had no idea it was a competition.”
“We both wanted her out of his life!”
“That was before I realized that she's actually good for him. She's changed him and is starting to grow on me.”
Caroline glared at her accusingly. “How could you betray me like that?”
Talia waited until their meals had been set before them and the waiter left before she spoke. “My brother has moved on and I have to respect that.”
“He married her because of some silly clause his father put in his will. It's supposed to last one year. He promised me that he would get rid of her as soon as that was completed. He's now CEO of the company; I think he needs to get rid of her now!”
“When was the last time you spoke to Thomas?”
“I've been trying to get him to come by the apartment and he keeps putting me off,” she said with a pout. “He left that function the last time and I didn't get to talk to him, all because of her.”
“I think he's moved on and I suggest you do the same,” Talia told her gently. “Pick up your pride and find someone else. You're a beautiful woman, and a very wealthy one. A lot of men would be thrilled to be with you.”
“I want Thomas!” she hissed. “He owes me.”
Talia looked at her, puzzled. “Darling, just because you opened your legs to him a few times doesn't mean he owes you a damn thing. Where on earth are you getting that from?”
“I invested time in the relationship, and he led me to believe that there would be more. That he was going to eventually offer me marriage,” she said bitterly.
“And you know why that didn't happen.” Talia put away her orange juice and gave the girl her full attention. “It isn't the end of the world; Thomas might be a very good catch but there are others. I haven't been in a relationship in months and I've never felt more liberated. You should try it.”
“I am not you!” Caroline hissed, her lips curling. “I need a man in my bed to keep me warm, someone to be with me when I attend functions. Do you know how you appear when you go out to dinner alone? Pathetic! I don’t want to be that kind of woman and your brother owes me for making me think that he was going to offer me marriage.”
“I'm sorry to hear that.” Talia realized slowly that she did not know the woman seated across from her at all. “But there's nothing I can do. He's made his choice.”
“I befriended you so that I could get close to him. I went on all those silly trips to the theatre with you and when you were hauled into lockup for that cocaine that was found in your car, I was the one you called, and I came and bailed you out.”
“I was twenty years old! That was six years ago, and I told you thanks and bought you that lovely designer bag you wanted at Romano’s. Isn’t that payment enough?”
“I'm not giving up on him, Talia,” she warned tightly. “He was all mine and that bitch came and pushed herself into our relationship and now she thinks that she can stay married to him? I don’t think so!”
“Technically, it wasn't her fault. She was drawn into this because of a clause my dad put in the will,” Talia pointed out in a reasonable tone.
“You're taking her side? Do you spend nights braiding each other’s hair and having pillow fights as well?” Caroline asked her furiously.
“I don’t do braids, darling,” Talia said coolly. “And I'll stand up for whomever I want. My advice to you? Move on with your life, because my brother is taken. I've seen them together and he told me the other night that he's fallen in love with her. You lost Caroline, accept your defeat gracefully and move on.”
“We'll see about that.” She got to her feet and threw her napkin onto the table. “You pay the bill,” she added coldly. “I didn't get to enjoy my lunch.”
Talia watched her march away with a thoughtful look on her face. She was going to have to warn her brother.
*****
“We have an announcement, but I wanted to wait until after we finished eating.” Thomas glanced at Donna as he spoke. It was almost the end of February and she was now two months pregnant. The pregnancy was starting to show in her breasts and very soon, it was going to be evident to everyone that she was carrying a baby, so the decision had been made.
“I already told Mother that you plan on staying together,” Talia told him. She'd warned him about Caroline, but he'd shrugged it off.
“And she hasn't come to me and accused me of trapping her son?” Donna said mildly as she sipped her water and stared at the woman at the head of the table. Talia had started behaving differently and she'd felt a thawing where Rosalee was concerned, but she was still wary.
“Donna,” Thomas sent her a warning look.
She held up one hand. “I have to behave. I know.”
A smile played around his lips and he shook his head before continuing. “Donna and I are going to have a baby.”
Donna watched both women’s faces closely to gauge their reactions. After the initial look of shock, Talia’s smile came brightly and she jumped to her feet and went to hug her brother, kissing him on the cheek. She approached Donna warily and both women stared at each other. Talia spoke first. “I know we haven't been on the best terms—”
“That’s because you don't like me,” Donna pointed out.
“Would you please allow me to finish?” Talia asked in exasperation. “God, you're difficult!” Taking a deep breath, she continued. “I'm glad you're married to my brother and now expecting a child. I'm psyched that I will now have a niece or nephew to spoil.”
“You aren't buying my child designer clothes,” Donna warned her with a faint smile.
“As soon as we know the sex. Straight to Romano’s!” Talia said with a grin as she rushed forward and to Donna’s surprise gave her a tight hug.
“Would you get off me?”
Thomas looked at them, pleased, and then at his mother. “You haven't said anything.”
“I'm still trying to process.” She looked at her son and then at Donna, staring at her for a moment. “Congratulations.”
“That’s it?”
“Donna,” Thomas looked at her with a frown.
“She's right darling.” His mother said. “Would you mind giving us a few minutes? I'll tell Gina to serve dessert in the small dining room.”
“Mother—”“It’s fine Thomas,” Donna interrupted him. “I think Rosalee and I are due for a talk, and as you know by now, I can take care of myself.”