Playing to Win

She pointed him out in a group of teens across the room.
    “He’s so handsome,” Savannah said.
    Tara grinned. “Thank you. He’s seventeen and mortified that his mother is—how did he put it?—oh, yes. ‘Knocked up when you’re so old, Mom.’ ” She laughed.
    “Anyway, after having Nathan so long ago, it’s like starting all over again.” Tara looked at both of them, then shrugged. “Hell, it is starting all over again. What was I thinking?”
    “That you love Mick and want to have his babies?” Elizabeth asked.
    She sighed. “Yes. That’s what I was thinking. And I’m so happy to be doing it all again.”
    Savannah pulled out a chair. “Sit. Tell me all about babies and doing this twice.”
    “Thank you. I like this spot in the corner. I can hide from my husband and my son.”
    “I doubt for long. I imagine Mick is very protective of you.”
    Tara grimaced. “It’s horrible. He watches what I eat, monitors where I go, what I lift. He treats me like I’m fragile and I’m going to break. I’m glad football season’s starting and I can get him out of my hair. Though Nathan is just as bad keeping his eagle eye on me. You’d think this was the first time in history that a woman had been pregnant. I’m hardly an egg. I’m very healthy, the doctor says everything’s fine and I can go about my business like normal as long as I don’t plan on doing any bungee jumping, which wasn’t on my upcoming agenda anyway.”
    Liz laughed. “Damn. And I was so going to get you that for your birthday.”
    “Har-har. Soon I’ll be as big as a house. I got huge right away with Nathan, and his father—though tall—wasn’t nearly the size of Mick. I’m doomed.”
    “I can’t believe you’re all hiding out here.” Jenna came over and pulled an empty chair over. “No one told me we were having a girl meeting.”
    “It’s impromptu,” Liz said. “I’m resting my feet.”
    “I told you those were going to hurt,” Jenna said, pointing to Liz’s shoes. “But no. You insisted they were gorgeous.”
    Liz lifted her dress. “They’re not just gorgeous—they’re fucking gorgeous and I’ll deal with sore feet. But right now I’m taking a few sit-down minutes with the girls.”
    “They are beautiful shoes,” Savannah said, admiring the silvery stilettos adorned with Swarovski crystals. “Well worth a few blisters.”
    Liz lifted her chin and glared at Jenna. “See?”
    Jenna rolled her eyes. “I’d rather be barefoot.”
    “You would. You’ll probably get married at some park, or in a meadow, or something disgustingly bohemian,” Liz said with grimace.
    “Likely. I’ll be sure to add ‘barefoot’ to my wedding list, knowing how much you’ll love that.”
    “Bitch.”
    Savannah laughed. This must be what it was like to have sisters and a close-knit family. She ached for the camaraderie, the sharing of secrets, and the familial bond she’d never had. It must be a pure thrill for Tara, Liz, and Jenna to have this.
    “Come on, wife. Time to dance.” Gavin came over and dragged Liz out of the chair.
    She rolled her eyes. “Look how he thinks he owns me now.” She might have voiced a complaint, but the warmth and love in her eyes was obvious. She grinned and slid into his arms, gliding out onto the dance floor as a slow song played and the photographer snapped pictures.
    “God, they’re so perfect for each other,” Jenna said. “I’m all teary-eyed.”
    “Your day is coming.”
    A tall, gorgeous dark-haired man kissed the back of Jenna’s neck. She turned around and grinned. “Not soon enough.”
    Jenna introduced Savannah to her fiancé, Tyler, who Jenna said played for the St. Louis Ice hockey team.
    “Sports must be in the Riley family blood,” Savannah said. “You even marry into it.”
    Jenna laughed. “Believe me. I tried my best to avoid it.”
    “True, but I wore her down with my charm,” Tyler said. He pulled Jenna from her chair. “Let’s dance.”
    Mick found his way over and grabbed Tara. “Feel like showing the rest of them how it’s done?”
    “What? You’re going to allow me to dance? Are you sure it isn’t against your mountainous list of things I’m not supposed to do?”
    “Hey, I’m only taking care of your precious cargo.”
    “The precious cargo is fine. And I’d love to dance with you, as long as you don’t try to carry me around the dance floor.” She walked away with her arm in Mick’s, winking at Savannah.
    Savannah sighed