Now she had a chance to relax, to chill out with the girls tonight before heading out to Atlanta tomorrow. She was actually looking forward to it after several days of hard work.
She took a shower and chose a skirt and a black-and-white button-down sweater over a tank, then slid into her wedged heels. She did her hair and makeup and headed downstairs, just in time for the doorbell to ring.
Alicia was at the door, looking gorgeous in jeans, black boots, and a leather jacket.
“You look stunning,” Haven said. “Maybe I should change clothes.”
Alicia laughed. “Are you kidding? You look fabulous. Let’s go.”
She climbed into the backseat of the car. Liz was in front, applying lipstick.
“Hey,” Liz said from behind the wheel. “You ready for this night?”
“Absolutely. How about you?”
“You have no idea. The baby was a terror for the past few days. She had shots.”
“Aww, the poor thing.”
“I know. My mother-in-law is keeping her tonight and will love on her and not mind at all that she’s a screaming banshee. Me? I need a freaking break, especially with Gavin being out of town the next few days on a road trip.”
“You know what I love about you, Liz?” Alicia asked as they pulled through the gate and onto the street.
“What’s that?”
“That you’re not one of those, ‘Oooh, my baby is the most perfect thing I’ve ever created, sleeps all through the night and never cries’ type of moms.”
Liz snorted. “Girl, please. That baby has a set of lungs on her. She poops. She vomits. She doesn’t sleep. Sometimes I think she’s possessed. It’s a good thing Gavin and I love her to pieces. Otherwise she’d end up in a basket on someone’s doorstep.”
Haven laughed. “She sounds like a normal baby to me.”
“Oh, she totally is,” Liz said, pulling onto the highway. “But she’s hardly the type of baby you see on television. No one tells you about all the screaming. And the throw-up.”
“I consider myself warned,” Alicia said. “How about you, Haven?”
“Totally.” Though Haven doubted she’d have to worry about having a baby anytime soon.
But the thought entered her head. She was approaching thirty, and hadn’t had a serious enough relationship—talking marriage and having children—in her entire life. Maybe it was time she started getting that kind of serious with someone, consider settling down and having some babies.
Then again, this wasn’t really the right time. She was embarking on the career she’d always wanted. She wasn’t in a committed relationship. Hell, she wasn’t even dating anyone. She was having sex with Trevor, and even though he’d played a part in her dreams and fantasies for so many years, he was hardly the guy she was going to marry and have children with.
He was way too busy with his career as well, and, like her, he hadn’t ever had that kind of a relationship, either.
Besides, she wasn’t ready yet. She was totally a career woman now. Life in the big city, traveling all over the country.
This was her dream, and she was living her dream.
Right?
They started out at Kemoll’s downtown, a place Liz assured her was one of the best Italian restaurants in the city.
It sounded fabulous to Haven. One, because she was starving, and two, because she loved Italian food.
Once inside, where Liz had made a reservation, they were met by Jenna, Gavin’s sister, and Tara, Liz’s sister-in-law. Tara was married to Gavin’s brother, Mick, who was currently playing football for San Francisco. Jenna’s husband, Tyler, played hockey for the St. Louis Ice.
“Savannah can’t make it tonight. She’s out of town working a consulting gig for some big-shot Hollywood star,” Liz explained as they got to their seats. “Savannah is married to Alicia’s brother, Cole, who plays for the Traders.”
Haven blinked. “You all make my head spin. And I’m sorry I won’t get to meet Savannah tonight.”
“Some other time,” Jenna said with a grin. “I think there are enough of us here that we’ll make a party of it.”
“Who’s minding your club tonight, Jenna?” Alicia asked.
“My assistant manager. She’s doing a great job, so I can take a few days off now and then.” Jenna turned to Haven. “I have a music club that I started up last year. It’s doing pretty well.”
“I heard about it,” Haven said. “It sounds amazing. And congratulations.”