“Lila’s been a great help,” I said. “Mia too.”
He glanced at Gillian with obvious affection. “That sounds familiar.” He squeezed his wife’s hand. “My wife was a saint when Bella was giving us trouble.”
Gillian blushed. “It was hard for Bella to adjust to all the changes so quickly. We fell head over heels. The kids could barely keep up with the pace.”
“Head over heels for the second time,” Alex said. “We knew each other a long time ago.”
“And reconnected because of that app. The kids can’t stop congratulating themselves,” Gillian said.
“I’m a fan of the kids’ decision,” I said, chuckling. “Otherwise I wouldn’t have met Lila.”
“How are you feeling?” Mama asked Gillian. “Lila mentioned you were expecting. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. The first few weeks were rough, but I’m past the worst of it now.” Gillian touched her still-flat stomach. “We’re thrilled. Terrified, but thrilled.”
“Four kids,” Alex said, shaking his head with a grin. “It’s going to be a zoo.”
“Yes, but we have Sonya,” Gillian said. “She’s our live-in housekeeper. We’d be lost without her.”
Lila appeared through the crowd. My heart gave a hard thump. She looked stunning tonight. She wore a pale champagne-colored dress that caught the light every time she moved, the silky fabric swaying gently around her calves in the ocean breeze. Strappy sandals showed off her toned legs. Her hair was down in soft waves, and gold hoop earrings flashed beneath it. Layered necklaces at her collarbone caught the candlelight.
As if sensing my gaze, she turned—and, when her eyes met mine, her face lit up, making me feel like a rock star. I strolled over, took her hands, and kissed her on the cheek. “Hi, gorgeous.”
“Hi back. Did you have a good day?” Lila asked, slipping her hand into mine.
“It was pretty good. We had lunch with my mom at the clubhouse. Margot’s warming up to her.”
“That’s great.”
I led her over to my mother, who was still chatting with Alex and Gillian.
“Irene, I’m thrilled you came,” Lila said, before turning to Gillian and Alex. “How are my favorite newlyweds?”
“Blissfully happy,” Gillian said, sneaking another loving look at her husband.
Lila’s gaze shifted to me. “Where’s Margot?”
“Mia and Grace took her down to the beach with the other kids.”
“How’s she doing?” Lila asked.
“They swarmed like locusts,” Gillian said. “Hopefully they won’t overwhelm the poor child.”
“Come meet everyone else,” Lila said, touching my arm briefly.
She led us into a large kitchen, where three women were huddled together, looking at something on a laptop screen. They broke apart when they saw us. Lila introduced them to my mother and me.
Lila had already told me all about them. Esme—the blonde with a vivacious smile and a halter-style dress—owned the flower shop. Delphine, tall with long brown hair, was a potter and owned the art gallery. She wore a fitted dark blue cocktail dress that showed off her slender figure and muscular legs. Intense eyes flickered in my direction, taking me in. I wonderedwhat she saw. Lastly was Seraphina, the writer. Even without Lila’s description, I would have recognized her from the display at Dorian’s. It was hard to miss those thick, copper tresses.
Bangles clinked on both wrists when Esme shook my hand. “Mia talks about you constantly. She’s over the moon about you and Lila.”
“I’m pretty over the moon myself,” I said.
“I’m a huge fan of your books,” Mama said to Seraphina shyly.
“That’s so kind,” Seraphina said warmly.
“I’m halfway throughThe Garden of Good Intentions, and I don’t want it to end,” Mama said.
