“Not night,” Penny adds. “Because she knows I’m exhausted at night, and it will sound fishy.”
“You arrive, and we’ll give you the privacy you require.”
“In case she tries to unalive you,” Penny adds with a pointed look.
I wouldn’t put it past her.
“I’ll save you a table in the restaurant in a corner. We’re not as busy as Bloom.” Zara looks at Penny and then back to me. “If it goes sideways, you leave immediately.”
“Maybe I could book a room.”
“That’s a no,” Penny snaps. “You two leave because thatwill send Byron over the edge when he finds out. Dinner is harmless. A room for the night, not so much. We owe Byron that much.”
Penny’s and Zara’s phones ding.
“Speak of the devil.” Penny looks at Zara. “Byron wants a family meeting tomorrow night.”
21
CHARLOTTE
Byron and Giana’shome offers a panoramic view of the sprawling light of LA to the ocean, and I always enjoy coming here. It inspired me to buy my home in Bel Air.
I came here straight from the office and still in my white suit. Taking a glass of wine with me, I head outside.
Zara comes to stand beside me, and like me, she is wearing a navy business skirt and jacket. “Do you know why we’re here?”
I shake my head. “Not a clue. Is Jobe still in London?”
“Yeah, he returns Sunday night.”
Penny and Franklin arrive, and Summer runs ahead of them, wearing a pretty pink dress. My mother scoops Summer into her arms. My father picks up Carson Jr. who toddles behind. Dad takes him to Byron, who is sitting on the ground, playing with his son, Leo. I watch them play happy families together and laugh as Byron scoops Leo intohis arms and chases after Summer in a game of tag. When Byron catches Summer, she screams in a high pitch.
“My God.” Zara cowers and covers her ears. “That girl has a set of lungs on her.”
I laugh. “So does Carson Jr.”
Byron jogs into the kitchen and takes Giana’s hand, leading her out to the covered area overlooking the pool. He presses a button, and a large television screen emerges from the other side of the infinity pool. “That’s new,” I tell Zara.
“Summer, do you want to watchBluey?”
“What’sBluey?” I ask.
“An animated television series about a dog Down Under. It’s worth checking out,” Byron says enthusiastically, not realizing he has triggered me just by mentioning the wordsDown Under.
“I’m not into children’s shows.”
“It’s actually good,” Zara whispers. “I’ve watched it with Summer. It’s the only series she sits still long enough to watch.”
The catchy introduction gains our attention until Byron gathers us in a circle. He takes Giana’s hand. “Thank you all for joining Gigi and me tonight.” He lifts her hand and kisses it. “Now that the children are distracted, we can share our news. We wanted you to hear it from us when you were all together.” He smiles at Giana and nods for her to continue.
“We’re excited to announce I’m sixteen weeks pregnant with our second child.” As soon as she finishes the last word, Byron picks her up in the air and swings her around.”
My family all cheer, and I am very happy for them. I point my wine glass to him. “I’m glad the baby is due after finals.” I know their lives are not centered around basketball, like mine, but player happiness and focus are mybusiness, especially with the team so close to being in the playoffs.
“Yeah. And we didn’t even plan it that way,” Giana says and smiles. “It’s funny how things fall into place.”
For some.
