Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 85135 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85135 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
“Carole, this is Vivian Cross.”
“She’s our guest and no matter who she is, she deserves a little space,” Carole says. “Jacob, can you do everyone a round of teas and coffees and wine if people wish?”
“I would love a glass of wine,” I say. Usually, when I’m around new people, I don’t drink. But here, with these people, there’s no need to be on my guard. They are kind and loving and despite Sutton’s fangirling, not here to document my misdeeds or record my mistakes.
“Good afternoon!” a fellow American voice booms in the kitchen. I turn to see a huge, handsome man filling the door.
“Vincent, love, where’s Kate?”
He points in front of him and through the throng of people, a shorter, gorgeous lady comes toward us, circling her hand on her stomach. There’s a cacophony of hugging and back-slapping. Amid the chaos, I greet Kate and then Vincent.
“Where in the States are you from?” I ask Vincent.
“I live in the UK now. But the last place I lived was New York.”
“You miss it?” I ask as he hands me a glass of wine.
“This Malbec is fantastic. Better be—I own the vineyard. And no, I don’t miss New York. You won’t either. There are differences, sure, but why would you want to be too far from this?” He circles his finger in the air.
“Oh, I’m not moving to the UK permanently,” I say. “I just came for a bit of a break from the tabloids.”
He chuckles. “And you met Beau.” Beau joins us in the increasingly full kitchen and Vincent slaps him in the back. “You look happy.”
“I’m always happy,” Beau says, but there’s something in his smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
“It’s true,” Carole interrupts. “Beau is the most positive person you’ll ever meet. He always cheers me up. He just sees the good in everything.”
“In too bloody much,” John mutters as he holds up his wineglass, full of red. “He needs to focus a bit more.”
“Who says?” Carole says. “Beau is happy going between practicing and experiencing what the world has to offer. Just because it wouldn’t be our choice, doesn’t mean it’s the wrong choice.”
“You’re the one who bleats on about grandchildren. Beau never stays still long enough to impregnate anyone.”
Carole holds up a hand. “It will happen when it happens.” She glances at me. “It just takes the right woman. If Vincent is about to be a father, anything is possible.”
They both laugh conspiratorially, and I exhale as Carole skillfully shifts the attention away from me. I’m not quite sure what Beau has told his parents about us, but I’m pretty sure it’s not that we’re about to start a family together.
Sutton’s focus has also shifted. As promised, after her initial excitement, she’s now fully immersed in a conversation with Kate, who’s smelling Sutton’s wine with a look of longing.
“You okay?” Beau snakes his arm around my waist, and I nod.
“I’m happy I came.”
He booms with laughter. “Don’t speak too soon. The rate we’re going, we’re not even going to get apple pie, and that’s the only reason I’m here.”
But that’s not true. He’s here for the same reason all of us are—to feel a sense of belonging. To revel in what looks like unshakeable bonds of trust and friendship, where no one’s a star yet everyone feels special.
Beau’s wrong—no matter what else happens, I’ll be pleased I saw all this.
TWENTY-ONE
Beau
Sitting across from me at the dining table, Vivian laughs at one of my dad’s terrible stories and I can’t help but smile. I can tell by the way she grabs his arm and tips her head back, she isn’t simply being polite. He must have said something that really amused her.
I knew that the Cove family wouldn’t stand on ceremony, but I had a sliver of concern that Vivian might be so used to being on show or at the center of everything that she might not feel comfortable.
I didn’t need to be worried.
Our gazes meet and I don’t—can’t—look away. She’s beautiful. There’s no glam team here, no designer dresses, and she looks as gorgeous as she ever has.
“Right,” Dad says. “I’m off to bed. Dog will be up at six no doubt.” He slaps his thighs and stands. Vincent and Kate have already gone to bed because Kate’s constantly tired, and Nathan and Madison have gone back to their place.
“You two up for a game of Codenames?” Jacob asks.
“I’m not,” Sutton says. “It’s time for me to turn into a pumpkin.” She turns to Vivian. “It’s a gruesome process and I don’t want you to have to witness it. Growing the stalk is the worst part.”
“You’re weird,” Vivian says. “But I like you.”
“You should be weirder than you are, given you’re Vivian Cross, but it’s nice that you’re not.”
“I’m going to take that as a compliment,” Vivian says. They exchange hugs like they’ve known each other for years.