“Stelly, this is their job! We’re not exploiting them. I bet most of them make more money than you do!”
“Thanks, Jules.”
If only she knew how true her statement was.
“You know what I mean. Look, it was weird for me the first time, too. Spending time with the Warrens takes some gettingused to. The last time Harry and I visited his parents, they had a quartet flown in from Vienna to accompany our dinner. I legitimately thought I was on some Cinderella-style reality show.”
“Casual.”
She grabs my hand and gives me the familiar look she’s been giving me all my life. The one that says, stop overthinking this and justrelax.
“Stella. I realize that glitz and glamour is not your scene. It isn’t mine, either, or even Harry’s to be honest.”
I very much doubt that last statement.
“But look where we are!”
She points to the porthole, where we have a perfect view of the passing mangroves.
“We have free reign of asuperyachtin theSouth Pacific.Do you realize how insane that is? You’ve always dreamed of living on a boat!”
“Boat!” I emphasize. “As in, sailboat? Little scrubby white thing that smells like sea lions? This isn’t a boat—it’s a cruise ship! There’s a freaking movie theater on board!”
“My god, Stella, you sound like Dad. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. The least you could do is try to have fun!”
I sigh, because she’s right. Even if I’m not comfortable living like a celebrity, I’m not going to help anyone by being miserable. Haven’t I always wanted to go to the south pacific? Haven’t I always dreamed of swimming freely with manta rays and tropical fish? I made my bed by agreeing to come here. The least I can do is have a little fun in it.
But first, I need to tell Jules about my suspension.
“Jules—”
“Oh, Stelly,” she interrupts me, pulling me into a big hug as she squeals. “I’m so glad you’re here. Not just because I want you to get to know Harry, which I really do—he’s so kind. Andfunny as hell—honestly, sometimes his sense of humor reminds me of yours.”
But I’m barely even listening. What’s the most innocuous way to say suspension? Forced vacation days? Involuntary sabbatical?
“But also… because I’m scared.”
“Scared?” I repeat incredulously, the speech I’m forming in my head tumbling over like jenga bricks. Jules is brave to the point of recklessness. As far as I’m aware, theonlythings she’s afraid of are sharks and Velcro sneakers.
“Harryswearshis family loves me. And I know he doesn’t care that we have different backgrounds. But sometimes I get the sense that Patricia doesn’t think I’m good enough for him.”
“I’msurethat’s not true, Jules.”
“Stella, in LA, the Warrens are likeroyalty. I think Patricia was expecting her son to marry a Vanderbilt, not some hairstylist college drop-out.”
I’ve never heard Jules talk about herself like that. She’s never been anything but happy with her decision to drop out of school—something she reminds me of every time I facetime her in near tears when grades are due.
“Jules, if that woman said anything to you that makes you feel bad about yourself, I swear to God?—”
“No!” My sister backtracks. “She’s too tactful—she would never say it out loud. What I mean to say is, I’m just really grateful you’re here. Not just for emotional support, but because maybe seeing how brilliant and successful you are will help Harry’s family realize we’re not just a couple of brainless country bumpkins.”
I swallow. Did Jules bring me on this trip so she couldshow me off?Me? Whose life is circling the drain faster than yesterday’s coffee grounds?
“Jules, I’m not successful.”
“Oh please, Stella. You put yourself through collegeandgrad school. You’re a fellow at one of the most competitive art history programs in the country. Soon we’ll all be running around calling youDoctor Olsen.”
My stomach sinks like it just hit an iceberg. Jules and I have never kept secrets from each other, but I can’t tell her about the suspension now—not when she’s relying on me to help her gain credibility with her mother-in-law. Would it be so terrible for me to wait just a few more days?
