I hesitated. There was so much I could say—about the custody battle, about Nicole, about the years Vance had lost. But that wasn’t my story to tell. Especially not on camera.
“She’s at an age where kids start finding their identity,” I said finally. “So this room needs to grow with her. It’s not a little girl’s room, but it’s not a teenager’s space either. It’s somewhere in between—a place where she can figure out who she is.”
“That’s really thoughtful,” Kenzie said. “You’re not just designing a room—you’re creating a home.”
“Exactly.” I picked up a fabric swatch—soft sage linen. “Every choice matters. The window seat where she can paint in natural light. The gallery wall where her artwork is celebrated. The colors that feel calm and safe. This is her space—where she gets to be herself.” My throat tightened unexpectedly. I blinked back tears.
“Are you okay?” Kenzie asked gently.
“Sorry, I just—” I set down the fabric. “Every child deserves a space that’s truly theirs. A place where they feel safe and valued. That’s what I’m trying to create here.”
Kenzie’s eyes were shining. “That’s beautiful. And I think Vance is very lucky to have you designing this space.” She leaned closer, her voice dropping. “And lucky to have you. Period. The chemistry between you two is obvious. Much more real than anything we could stage with Beau.”
I froze. “What?”
“Oh, come on. We’ve all seen it.” Kenzie smiled. “The way you look at each other—it’s sweet. But …” Her voice hardened almost imperceptibly. “The network’s invested a lot in the Beau angle. They’re not going to be happy if that narrative gets complicated.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Just … be careful. That’s all I’m saying.” Kenzie stood, signaling to Sam to cut. “Great footage today. Really emotional. The viewers are going to eat this up.”
After they left, I stood in my studio, feeling cold despite the warm sun streaming through the windows.
Something felt off. Way off.
I’d texted my girlfriends before I left the studio, asking if they could come over for wine and cheese. I wanted to fill them in one what was going on with Vance and the television shoot. And to just be with the people who knew me best and loved me unconditionally.
As they always did, they said they’d be right over, arriving just as the sun was dipping low in the sky. The days were already growing shorter. Soon, fall would be here. But for now, the weather remained warm.
Annie, Grace and Bella were with them but didn’t stick around, giggling about something as Mia led them upstairs to her room.
I opened wine and a bottle of bubbly water for Gillian. I’d thrown a charcuterie board together at the last minute, full of cheeses, crackers, fruit, and pistachios. We all sat outside in my garden terrace.
“We’re all dying to know what’s going on with everything,” Gillian said. She was looking so much better the last few weeks. Her morning sickness had been an all day sickness but had lessened considerably.
“Where do I start?” I asked, chuckling. “First off, Vance is my first client on the show.”
Mouths dropped, knives clattered.
“Wait, what?” Esme said.
“Yep. First day of shooting I walk in and there he is,” I said. “We both felt kind of dumb that we hadn’t figured it out before.”
“Was it awkward?” Gillian asked, sounding sympathetic.
“I thought it would be but it wasn’t. There’s something about him that puts me at ease.”
“How interesting,” Gillian said, eyes twinkling. “That sounds familiar.”
“Gah, now we’re going to have two of you mooning around, all blissed out and in love,” Delphine said.
“It’s wonderful,” Esme said. “I’m jealous though.”
“I’m surprised to say, so am I,” Seraphina said. “The kids have caused us all a lot of trouble with that dating app stunt.”
“Not trouble,” Esme said dreamily. “True love.”
“Is it true what Mia told us?” Delphine asked. “He’s wealthy? From the wine app?”
