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been seriously amazing. I might, just might, have to break down and get myself some when I was replacing everything. It seemed ridiculously decadent to spend that much money on linens, but it was sorely tempting.
    I padded naked to the bedroom area and stared down at the clothes I’d chosen for the day. I’d picked plain blue jeans and a peach-colored polo style shirt. Nothing fancy. From what I’d been able to drag out of Tom his grandparents were “simple folks.” His mother’s parents, they were fully human. They hadn’t really approved of her choice to be a surrogate, but they’d loved her, and their grandchildren, desperately. It had nearly destroyed them to lose everyone but Tom to the fire.
    While pulling on my clothes I remembered the conversation Tom and I had when he’d asked if I’d be willing to have the Vegas wedding. He’d been so sad, so earnest.
    “Why didn’t they come with you to Denver? I mean, you’re all the family they have left. Why stay?”
    His eyes had grown shadowed. His body language changed ever so slightly. I’d had a flash of insight that had nothing to do with psychic talent, and everything to do with knowing the man I loved. They’d said no. He’d wanted them, asked them. They’d refused.
    “Vegas is their home. But more than that, my mom’s grave is there. They won’t leave. Ever.”
    I’m not a big one for visiting graves. To me, the body is just the shell. The soul, the essence that made the body a person, has moved on to something better. But there are people to whom it matters a lot. Apparently Tom’s grandparents were among them.
    “But we could fly them out for the wedding at least.”
    “Gramps won’t fly, and neither of them passed their last driver’s test.”
    I could tell it meant the world to him. I could also tell he was nervous about it. He swore up and down that it wasn’t fear of my meeting his family, but he wouldn’t say what the problem was. Which made me nervous. I pulled on tube socks and a pair of running shoes and went to check my reflection in the full-length mirror. The clothes fit well, looked good in fact. My face, however, needed some work. I was pale, and not in a good way, my eyes seriously bloodshot. Thank God for eye drops. If I was lucky they’d actually live up to their commercials. Because I wanted to make a good impression.
    My stomach lurched. I wished Tom was here. It wasn’t fair for me to have to do this without him. But it was snowing again in Denver. The news said it would be at least one more day, maybe two or three, before they’d be reopening the airport. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas had made it very clear (in the most amazingly polite way) that they would be hurt and insulted if I canceled our breakfast just because Tom couldn’t join us. I’d caved.
    A quick glance at the clock told me I’d better get moving. I didn’t want to be late. Late would be bad. Oh hell, why couldn’t Tom be here? This just sucked. I hurried into the bathroom and grabbed makeup from the case. Blush I could manage; a little eyeshadow. I didn’t trust myself with eyeliner. My hands were shaking too much to draw a straight line. I’d probably just end up poking myself in the eye—which would totally negate the positive effects of the eye drops. I put my hair in a simple braid that hung in a thick rope down the middle of my back. Wearing it loose is more flattering, but is a pain to deal with. It blows around, getting in the way. Almost the only times I wear it down is when Tom specifically asks me to.
    I took deep breaths, counting slowly to calm my nerves. I was being ridiculous. This was Tom’s family. It made no sense for me to be afraid of them.
    But what if they don’t like me? What if they believe everything the press has been saying? What if—
    I gave myself an actual, physical shake. That kind of thinking would just make things worse. I love Tom. Tom loves me. They love Tom. He loves them. I could get through this. Really.
    I kept