“Oh yes,” she says, nodding dramatically. “A helicopter. Like—an actual, legit helicopter. Just touched down like it was no big deal. Apparently, he had to clear it with the county. His assistant coordinated everything. I mean, who even does that?”
I laugh, picturing it.
“I was still clipping my earrings when the house started vibrating.”
I blink. “You’re joking.”
“Do I look like I’m joking?” she blurts out. “You didn’t feel it?”
“No, I—”
“That must’ve been one heck of a make-out sesh,” she exclaims, popping me with a throw pillow.
I smile. “It was incredible. He makes me feel special. Wanted. Loved.”
“Wow,” she says, then looks away, as if considering something she hadn’t thought of before. "I wonder if Cal and his brother have more in common than ridiculously good looks.”
“There’s only one way to find out,” I tease.
“No, no,” she says, shaking her head. “Right now, I’m all about Vince. I mean, what happened today was like something out of a movie—wind blowing, trees swaying. My date with Vince included a twin-engine chopper and champagne on board.”
I laugh. “Where did he take you? The moon?”
“Close.” She grins. “We landed on a private pad atop an exclusive restaurant in Indianapolis, where we were met by a man in a white tuxedo. I’m not kidding, Elle—he looked like he’d walked off the set of a Bond movie. Then they escorted us to a private dining room. With a string quartet. And a sommelier. And gold-leafed menus.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “Gold-leafed? Like... edible gold?”
“Oh, don’t worry, that came later. On the dessert. But yes, actual gold on the menu. I couldn’t even read it. I just said ‘yes’ to everything and prayed for no shellfish.”
I grin. “And was he charming, or did he just throw money at everything?”
She hesitates, twirling a loose strand of hair. “Both. I mean, yeah, he has the charisma of someone who knows the world would bend for him if he asked—but also, he’s sharp. Confident without being cocky. He listens—really listens. And he’s got this way of making you feel like you’re the only person in the room. He knew the name of our pilot, complimented the sommelier in French, and tipped everyone like he was born to do it. I’m telling you, Elle, he’s magnetic.”
“Are you sure we’re talking about the same Vincent Fletcher?” I ask, genuinely perplexed.
She nods. “Yes, absolutely. He talked about Meghan and the granddaughter he never gets to see.”
“What?” I blink, unable to hide my surprise.
“Yeah,” she says. “According to Vince, Cal and Meghan’s divorce was ugly. He doesn’t blame Cal—he even admits how difficult Meghan can be. He said the only time he saw Meghan was when she was dropping off Hannah. They were never close, and he was hoping history wouldn’t repeat itself. He wanted a relationship with Hannah, but after the divorce, he lost all contact.”
“Does he not know how to use a phone?” I ask, doubtful. “I can’t imagine Cal ever keeping Hannah from him.”
“Oh, don't worry. I asked him the same thing,” Tina says. “He said he was never close to Cal, and admits that’s mostly his fault. Apparently, he tried to push Cal into a career move that only created distance between them. After the divorce, he assumed Cal wouldn’t let him see Hannah—and I think Meghan might’ve confirmed that.”
“Are you sure?” I ask, still struggling to understand how anyone could justify staying away from their granddaughter.
“He didn’t say it outright,” she says, “but there was a lot of regret in the way he talked. Like he knew he’d let it happen.”
“Those are just excuses,” I say. “That’s exactly what my grandfather used. Excuses for why he couldn’t keep us. Bottom line—he didn’t want us.”
“Elle.” Tina’s voice softens. “This is different. Vince was forming a bond with Hannah when everything fell apart. It was hard on him too.”
“I don’t know,” I murmur. “I don’t know the man, so I’ll keep my opinion to myself.” I pause, then glance at her. “So… was that it? The date, I mean?”
She stretches her legs and sighs. “Oh, honey. I didn’t say that. There’s still the wine, the dessert sprinkled with actual gold flakes, and the violinist.”
I groan. “Oh, is that all?”
