“I-I hadn’t thought of that actually.” That didn’t sound like a bad idea. It wasn’t my dream career but it could be lucrative while I got my shit together.
“You should offer to make something for your sister’s wedding. No time like now to start building your portfolio. Added bonus, your sister seems nice enough not to give you hell if something goes wrong.” She passed the phone back and wavedher fingers. “Promise me you’ll consider it? Your television project is almost over, correct? That should give you a few weeks between when that finishes and the wedding to make something happen? Let’s talk to Natalie and Martha, see what they both think.” Martha was the wedding planner that apparently was now assigned to us. Grace was a woman who made things happen. Quickly.
I chuckled and Grace gave me a quizzical look. “I’m sorry. We’ve been here less than two hours and Natalie has a wedding planner and I have a new job.”
“I’m overstepping?” To my surprise, she actually seemed worried that she was doing too much.
“No! No. You remind me of your brother. If your brother had better manners.” We shared a laugh but hers didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“So, how was my mother? Did she make it through lunch?” She pulled a mock shock expression. “Did she actually eat something?”
“Um…she ordered a salad. I can’t remember if she ate it though.” She laughed, with each smile I was more at my ease around her. I wasn’t usually so nervous around strangers, no matter how rich and beautiful they were, but I'd been bitten by the Tells enough times to be on my guard. “I’m sorry you weren’t invited, I feel like I put my foot in my mouth.”
“Don’t worry about it.” She waved a hand. “I can have an awkward lunch with my mother anytime.”
So, they weren’t as thick as thieves as Alfie had thought.
“You and your sister seem close, that’s nice. I’m shocked you didn’t grow up together. I would have thought you’d known each other your whole lives.”
“Did Carolyn fill you in on that?” Grace seemed to know a lot more about me than I’d told her.
“Mmm. She told me that your sister had a child out of wedlock.Scary. Our family history is of course completely without fault or scandal. It’s not like my brother owns a sex club or anything.”
I stared at her. This woman couldn’t be less like her mother if she tried.
“At least he doesn’t run it anymore.”
“True. Have you been? To the club, I mean. I tried to go once when I turned eighteen. Alfie had me barred for life.”
“Yes, I’ve been a few times. Honestly, I’m not sure how I feel about it.” It was her turn to stare at me. I changed the subject. “Maybe you and Alfie could spend time together now he’s more…settled.”
“Is he more settled? He’s been neck deep in that company since our father died.”
“He won’t be for much longer if I have anything to do with it,” I muttered.
“Good for you. I never thought it was good for him.”
Natalie reappeared in a princess dress, off-the-shoulder with long sleeves. I took photos and sent them to Keira who immediately said absolutely not, which Grace seconded. She disappeared again to try a backless halter. A daring garment that I knew Natalie would never wear in a million years but it was fun to try it on.
“Lola.” Grace put down her champagne and turned to me. Suddenly, I felt like I was in a business meeting. “It’s a habit of my family to never talk about an issue and skirt around it forever.”
“I’ve noticed,” I said, wondering where she was going with this.
“With my husband’s encouragement, it’s a habit I’ve broken. Do you love my brother? What is this?” She waved her fingers at me again, as if I embodied our entire relationship.
“What is this? Well, it’s not me after his money if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“I should hope not. He doesn’t seem to be spoiling you.” She looked over my outfit. Of course she’d noticed the spot on my waist where it had been mended. Alfie had chosen it for that very reason.
“Alfie would spoil me rotten if I let him and I do sometimes.”
“Is he happy?” she asked earnestly. “Does he say he loves you?”
“He wore Hawaiian shorts just to make me laugh because I made a joke about them once. I tied a piece of blue ribbon around his wrist three years ago and he’s still wearing it. He had my engagement ring designed in the shape of my favourite flower because it reminds me of my mother and he knows how much I miss her. He loves me.”
She stared at me for one long moment. I wondered if she thought I was making it up. “And you? Do you love him?”
“I agreed to have lunch with your mother, what do you think?” She didn’t laugh at my joke. “I love him more than it’s been good for me at times.”
