“Thanks. From what I’ve seen, they’re not interested, although Henry did seem a little subdued. He didn’t even have two glasses of champagne that I can recall.”
“Huh. You’re right. It would take the pressure off André if he knew he could count on Henry.”
Dottie came out with more bowls, Bianca trailing at her heels, followed by Henry and Kyle.
“It’s so nice to have all you young people here.”
“Well, except for Kyle.” Spencer snorted, and Chess kicked him under the table when Kyle glared at him.
“He’s only a few years older than André. Shut up.”
Bianca, looking fresh and well-rested in a pink sundress, smiled brightly at him. “I had fun last night. I hope you don’t mind, but I invited Quentin to your party.”
At the slight blush tinting her cheeks, Chess surmised she had more than a passing interest in the man. The entire family wished for her to stop running around partying, so Chess was more than happy to encourage her interest in a potentially stable relationship.
“Of course not. He seemed very nice.”
“He is. His family makes luxury yachts. That’s how we met last summer, at a party on one of his boats. They’re at their house out here for the summer, and Quentin is thinking about staying in New York.”
“I hope we get a chance to talk with him more at the party.” He began eating, enjoying the cool, refreshing salad and the crunch of red peppers. When he was a little kid, one of his biggest treats was his mother bringing home shrimp salad from the supermarket. For some reason, that dish had made him feel grown up and rich.
Long lashes fanned down on Bianca’s cheeks. “I hope so too. I think André will like him. They can talk business together.”
“Your brother is interested in more than just the business. He wants to take a little hiatus from the day-to-day operations. He’s young and wants to enjoy his life. He loves to go out on the boat, so they have that in common as well. I think it would be wonderful for them to get to know each other.”
Bianca reached across the table, and he took her hand with its baby-pink polished nails. “Thank you. I don’t know what it is, but seeing Quentin again last night…it was nice, you know? I’d forgotten how much fun we had when we met in Saint Moritz. He was so sweet, and we had such a good time simply talking. I didn’t have to pretend to have fun. It was all so natural.”
He squeezed her hand. “That’s when you know it’s special. And it doesn’t hurt that he’s really good-looking.” His grin brought fire to her face.
“Chess.” She giggled. “Anyway, we’re going to meet up later, but I told him to stop by the house first for a drink.”
“Good. We can all grill him. Spencer and I can stand in as big brothers.”
“I can do that.What are your intentions?” Spencer pretend-growled and folded his arms.
Chess burst out laughing. “Hearing that coming from your lips is too funny.”
“When is André coming home?” Henry helped himself to the shrimp salad and began eating, his head down. It was unusual for him to be so quiet.
Chess smiled. “Tomorrow, I believe, or I should say, hope.” His smile faded. “The hotel was more damaged than they’d initially thought. They have to replace everything on the top two floors due to water damage and potential mold, so they’re redoing the spa and fitness center as well. He’s planning on giving his input to the design team, so he figured he might as well stay to oversee. He told me it was your father’s favorite hotel.”
“Yeah. I used to go with him when I was little.” Henry stared off into the distance. “Have you two set a date yet?”
“For the wedding? Not really. I was thinking of the fall because it’s so beautiful then. We’d like to have the wedding here, if it’s okay with your mother.”
Henry shrugged. “Shouldn’t be a problem.” He took another bite of his food. “What about your family?” He turned on him the full force of those intensely blue, penetrating eyes, so much like André’s. “Are they coming?”
All his enjoyment of the delicious food faded, and his stomach twisted as Henry continued his direct, unblinking stare-down.
“M-my family? I don’t have anyone. My mother’s dead.”
Spencer put a hand on his leg and squeezed tight, but he didn’t pay attention.
“You’ve never spoken of anyone else. What about your dad? No aunts or uncles…cousins?” There was no malice in Henry’s voice or expression, but Chess’s throat tightened until it was painful to take a breath.
When he was picked up and brought to children’s services and the social worker had told him there was no one who’d offered to take him in, he’d asked about his father. The social worker had put her hand over his and said,“Your mother didn’t put anyone on your birth certificate, Chester. Legally, he’s not your father and has no responsibility to you.”
A horrible memory popped up, and he could hear his mother pleading with his uncle for help after his father left, and how it was thrown back in her face:“I’m not about to help some druggie when my brother didn’t even know if the kid was his. Keep away from us.”
