“How’s business?” Gillian asked.
“It’s been steady. Holidays are always good—Christmas gifts and all.”
“That’s good to hear,” Delphine said. “It’s the same for the gallery. I’ve been thinking about hosting a party at the gallery one night in December—see if I can lure people in with wine and cheese.”
“We could team up,” Dorian said.
“Pardon me?” Delphine asked.
“I mean, my shop and the gallery. Like an art walk type of thing—they start at the bookstore and then head to the gallery.”
Delphine, always serious, nodded. “That’s an interesting idea. We should talk.”
“Yeah, great.”
A server appeared with a tray of champagne flutes and oysters on the half shell, breaking the spell.
“First pairing,” Vance announced. “Champagne and oysters—we’re on the coast. Some combinations are simply meant to be. Like Lila and me.”
A ripple of laughter went through the room. Everyone reached for glasses for the first toast of the night.
Throughout the next hour, servers circulated with new pairings—sauvignon blanc with goat cheese and fig crostini, pinot noir with bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with manchego.
The kids had taken over the living room, sprawled on the floor with plates of mac and cheese and sliders.
The doorbell rang one last time, and, when I opened it, Hunter stood on the porch, dressed in jeans, a T-shirt, and a leather jacket.
“I’m sorry I’m late. The bar was crowded tonight, and I couldn’t get out of there.”
“I’m just glad you came,” I said.
He handed me a bouquet of flowers—gorgeous fall blooms in oranges and deep reds. “Congratulations. On everything. Vance and I haven’t been friends that long, but it seems you’ve made a huge difference in his life.”
“He has in mine too. And thank you for the flowers.”
His attention had already drifted past me, into the house. Following his gaze, I saw Seraphina in the hallway talking with Alex, nodding at something he said.
Hunter’s expression softened before he seemed to realize he was staring. He blinked, pulling his attention back to me. “It smells wonderful in here. And your home is exquisite.”
“Thank you. I hope you’re hungry. Vance went a little overboard.”
He smiled faintly. “Can’t wait. Where should I start? Vance said this was a wine and food pairing thing.”
“Dining room. Cheese table. Servers are bringing around the different food and wine pairings, but start with the cheese.”
He nodded and moved past me, but I caught the way his eyes tracked Seraphina as he walked through—and the way she glanced up when he passed, color rising in her cheeks before she looked away quickly.
I knew it.
By eight o’clock, everyone had sampled every pairing, the kids were contentedly full, and Vance gathered us all in the living room.
“Speech time,” Gillian said, settling onto the couch with Alex’s arm around her.
Everyone found seats—on sofas, chairs, the floor. Esme and Grady ended up side by side on the loveseat, not quite touching but close enough that I saw Seraphina and Delphine exchange knowing looks.
Vance stood by the fireplace, pulling me up with him.
“Thank you all for coming,” he said, his hand warm in mine. “Lila and I wanted to celebrate with the people who mean so much to us. Some of you have known Lila a long time—loved her a long time—and I want to thank you for embracing me. Being part of this crew has been a gift to Margot and me.” His voice caught, and I squeezed his hand.
