Steele 05 - Irresistible Forces

was shining bright in the sky.
    “I received a call this morning from Marcello and Megan. They are on their way and should be arriving later today,” Franco said, intruding into Taylor’s thoughts.
    She nodded as butterflies went off in her stomach at the thought of meeting Dominic’s parents. She couldn’t help wondering what he’d told them about their now-defunct relationship.
    She had been surprised when she had received a call from Franco inviting her to his birthday gala. Since she hadn’t been sure if Dominic was still in the D.C. area or had returned to New York, she hadn’t wanted to run the risk of a chance meeting with him—especially while her heart was still hurting—and had jumped at the opportunity to leave the city for a few days. The last thing she had to worry about was running into Dominic here.
    The one thing she was certain about was that she truly liked Dominic’s grandfather. She believed that deep in Franco’s heart he knew that he had made a mistake in the way he had handled his son’s love for an American woman, a mistake that had cost him the love of his grandson. And from their argument the last time she and Dominic were together, she wasn’t sure if he would ever forgive his grandfather. Dominic took being stubborn to all-new heights.
    After their meal, she and Franco went into one of the game rooms to play checkers, something the older man seemed to enjoy. She was glad that her cousin Sebastian had taught her how to play years ago.
    They had just ended one game and had started on another when one of Franco’s servants approached to let him know that Marcello and Megan had arrived.
    * * *
    “Why, you’re simply beautiful, just as Dominic said,” his mother exclaimed, smiling at her.
    Taylor wondered if Dominic had actually said that, or whether his mother was just being kind. Either way she decided to take the compliment. “Thank you.”
    They were standing together in the receiving line, greeting the guests arriving at Franco’s party. Franco had asked her to be there and as far as she knew, no one seemed to question it. When introducing her, he merely said that she was a close friend of his grandson. Considering how things were between her and Dominic, Taylor thought that was really stretching it a bit.
    “We certainly have a crowd here tonight.”
    Megan’s words broke into Taylor’s thoughts. “Yes, there are a number of people here, but everything is beautiful. And speaking of beautiful…”
    The first thing Taylor had thought when she’d seen Megan Saxon was that any picture she’d seen of her in a magazine hadn’t done her justice. She was a beautiful woman and it only took a few seconds in the Saxons’ company to know that Marcello simply adored his wife. Dominic had once commented on what a loving relationship his mother and father had. Now she saw firsthand just how true that statement had been.
    “And your outfit is divine. That color looks good on you,” the older woman added.
    Suddenly a deep appreciation for Megan Saxon blossomed to life inside her. That compliment meant a lot coming from a person who was considered an expert on fashion. But that wasn’t the only reason she liked Dominic’s mother so much. From the moment Franco had introduced them earlier that day, she had felt a connection. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that Megan was the woman who had given birth to the man who had captured Taylor’s heart, or possibly the fact that Taylor was carrying inside her this woman’s grandchild. Whatever the reason, she felt an accord with Megan, a closeness to her that she couldn’t explain and wouldn’t bother dissecting. It was enough that knowing how Dominic felt about his grandfather, they didn’t have a problem with her being here or feel she was being disloyal to Dominic for doing so.
    “Yes, I can see why Nicky loves you so much.”
    A flicker of panic went off inside Taylor. She knew Megan’s statement was based on assumption rather than fact. Would it be the proper thing to do to correct her, let her know she was not the object of Dominic’s affections?
    At that moment it seemed the entire room got quiet and as Taylor glanced around to see what had everyone’s attention, she heard Marcello Saxon, who was standing beside Megan, say, “Look who’s here, Megan. I never thought I would live to see the day.” Deep emotion was in the man’s voice.
    Taylor turned her head to see what the Saxons were talking about and