“Right, Alex isn’t the talkative type, so don’t take any offense to her not gabbing it up,” he announced. “She’s hell on wheels with listening. And Blake’s nervous. Dair said she did her hair at least three times before we left the house. She’s been dying to meet you and gave Ned hell we didn’t do it at our wedding. Now we see you, and you’re all class and shit, and this is obviously more serious than we thought, when we knew it was serious. So both Ned’s girls are freaking out. Silently. Don’t hold it against them. They’ll snap out of it soon enough.”
Dair couldn’t help but like the guy, and his brutal honesty and ability to communicate it without being an arsehole was part of why he did.
After he spoke, everyone started laughing, including Marlo, who seemed visibly relieved by this explanation.
Aye.
The dinner had gone that way, and it was not a good way.
“Is that an Alaïa blouse?” Blake asked Marlo.
“Good eye,” Marlo replied.
“It’s scrumptious,” Blake oozed.
“Thank you,” Marlo replied, and even though she likely knew it was a great top, Blake’s comment openly pleased her. “Your outfit is stunning.”
“Dair picked it out.”
Marlo tipped her wineglass his way. “Your man has a good eye too.”
“Don’t listen, Dad,” Blake commanded.
Ned looked to the ceiling.
Blake leaned into the table toward Marlo and stage-whispered, “It was sexier than the other one.”
Marlo did the lean thing and whispered back, “I bet.”
“I’m not really into designers,” Alex admitted after they sat back.
“You could have fooled me. That’s the perfect outfit for you,” Marlo told her.
Alex colored with pleasure.
Rix tossed an arm around the back of her chair and beamed.
“And congratulations to you both. I hope you don’t mind…”
Marlo placed her hand on Ned’s, who turned it immediately so they could link fingers.
Oh, aye.
Dair was happy for the man.
“Ned told me your happy news,” Marlo finished.
“It’s out there,” Rix said.
“He’s been wanting to hire a sky writer since I showed him the stick,” Alex shared.
Marlo laughed. “I can see why. It’s news worthy of skywriting.” She subtly drew her shoulders back before she said, “But I’m very sorry you two lost your mom.”
“I’m sure Dad’s told you about her as well,” Blake replied, digging into her mushroom wellington.
“We’ve spoken about Helena,” Ned remarked.
“So I guess you know it’s all been not only sudden, but confusing,” Alex said.
