After a minute, Dad clears his throat and pulls back. “Now, I haven't got anyone to run the cruise lines yet, and as my newest child, I thought I would give you the first option.”
“Isn’t it Jaxon’s?” she sputters.
Jaxon shrugs. “Meh, I don’t have time to run that as well. We had always intended to hire someone to do it.”
Hope looks to Holden, and I can see a multitude of things being said through their eye contact.
“Thank you, but no. I am really happy where I am and have no desire to spend most of my life on cruise ships, which is what I’m assuming that job will entail.”
Dad smiles. “We assumed that’s what you would say, given you and Holden are a dynamic team, but I had to offer.” He claps his hands together. “So I guess we’re looking for someone to run both Couture and Cruise Lines.”
“Did you know that both Molly and Emma majored in business? Molly actually has a minor in fashion. They’d be a good option if you’re still going the student route. They could mentor whoever you choose until they were ready to take over. That way, you can still help kickstart someone’s career, but you’d also be putting a little less on Grace’s plate. If things kick off with her gentleman friend, she might appreciate some of the extra free time.” Melinda drops a verbal bomb as she pushes her way into our circle, and I see the two other women try to shush her. Dad looks at the two women who’ve suddenly sobered up, at least a little anyway, something like hurt flashing in his eyes.
“Why didn't you tell me?” he asks quietly, and they push us out of the way to get to him.
“Oh, honey bear, we didn't want you to think that’s why we’re with you,” Emma coos, stroking his chest as Molly fusses with his tie.
“Peachy bum, I’m happy with my job at the boutique, so I’m perfectly content where I am. It’s only recently that we’ve had to think about Emma’s future. Until we found out about the count’s legacy, she’d been fully committed to her caretaker duties. This is a new change in our lives.”
“Nonsense.” Nana steps out from behind Dad, scaring us all. Where did she come from? “It’s the perfect solution. Sorry, I was heading for the bathroom, and I overheard what you were saying. I’ll leave you be now that I’ve added my two cents. I have an old friend to re-friend.” She waggles her eyes, and the boys’ groans nearly drown out the women’s giggles.
“Agreed,” Jacinta says firmly, beyond settled and, simply put, happier than I’ve seen her in a long time. “So we’ll still advertise at some schools and make it an internship. We could even turn this into a yearly thing. In fact, maybe we could trial this sort of program through Couture and then develop it into an internship experience in each branch of Neighpalm Industries. A pay it forward kind of thing. Not to mention good networking for us in case there are some rising stars out there who simply need a chance to shine.”
“Holy shit! Who are you, and what have you done to my sister?” Jaxon’s mostly teasing, but there’s enough skepticism in there for her to flip him off immediately.
“My therapist has helped me see how wrong I was in the way I treated Harlow and how neither she nor Molly and Emma are to blame for what has happened to us over the years. Your happiness just makes me want to see everyone happy, and I can see how happy Molly and Emma make Dad, so it is the perfect solution.”
The two women are fussing with Dad, not paying any attention to the surrounding conversation. Tucked into Chuck’s side, Melinda looks awfully pleased with herself.
“I’m going to leave you to it. I have another sister to track down, one who has done her very best to avoid me all evening,” I announce to my family, giving each of my men a kiss.
“We’ll come with you.” Jacinta grabs Hope’s arm in the kind of death grip that only she can make look like sisterly affection. “I want Max to meet Hope! They haven’t been introduced yet. We aresogoing to be the awesome foursome. LA isn’t going to know what hit it.”
It’s a real pleasure to see Jacinta so happy, and that, more than anything, is proof that her therapy is making a difference. With the way her feelings are written across her face, it’s impossible to ignore how brightly she’s shining now that she has a unified family around her.
As we make our way through the crowded ballroom, I flinch when I hearslutcoughs a couple of times, but I hold my head high. They can think what they want. I’m the one getting all the good dick, not them, so they can suck it.
“Now, what in the world has put such a fearsome look on your gorgeous face?” Alex intercepts us, his attention fully on Jacinta even though he greets both me and Hope with a kiss.
We exchange grins as Shane and Jace also appear. All three of them look delicious and are the perfect diversion. Jacinta’s fury flows away as she melts under their attention, and we easily leave her behind.
“My sisters are dropping like flies. You and Max will be next.” And, like the universe somehow heard me, there she is! She’s with Cayden Storm, Jarred Reed, and Sean Walsh, the lead actors and director we’d met when Declan and I dropped off the Bostons’ horses.
I wave to try to get her attention, but she seems to be in a heated discussion, so wrapped up in them that she doesn’t see me. More women approach the three men, cozying up to them, and Max promptly storms off in the other direction.
“Fuck. I’m not letting her get away this time. Come on!” I tell Hope.
“Hey, will you introduce me to those delicious men?” She nods in the direction of the stars.
“Sure can, but do you really want to meet them, or are you just avoiding a certain someone?”
I’ve caught sight of Parker McCallister watching her all night. He and his brothers haven’t really approached, I don't think they’re completely comfortable with our family yet, but that will change. Nana won't allow them to be outsiders, and I’ve asked my guys to make an effort too. We’ve just all been so busy trying to catch up on everything that happened while we were away.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she mutters, not looking at me.
“Come on. Holden told me what happened, and I see the way he looks at you. Even if nothing comes of it, you should let him apologize. Don't leave it and end up regretting it.”
“I’ll think about it,” she hedges, not willing to give in, but Iwillwear her down.
