“Sorry.” Her mouth works, no words immediately available until she whispers, “Is this a joke?”
“Why would you say that?” Lavender’s response takes me by surprise. I’d expected fireworks and attitude. What’s with the sad-sounding voice? “I’m old enough to get married.”
“Yes, of course. But you never even mentioned you were seeing someone.”
“Because I wasn’t,” she retorts. “And then I was. And you know, sometimes shit just happens.” She slants me a look that speaks volumes. Hardly a ringing endorsement.
“But what about—” Polly’s startled gaze bounces briefly my way.
She doesn’t say Tod’s name, but it’s ridiculous how pissed off I am anyway.
“I only saw you on Friday. How did you go from single to married in the space of three days?”
“I’m afraid that’s my fault,” I add, drawing all eyes my way.
“Only because he swept me off my feet,” Lavender says in the kind of wooden tone that wouldn’t win her any acting awards.
I suppose it must feel fast to them both. Meanwhile, I’ve been planning this for months.
“Buthowdid it happen?” She takes her daughter’s hand, ignoring the ring, her words almost beseeching.
Lavender looks… conflicted. I cross the kitchen to stand beside her, linking my fingers through hers. “Your daughter is a rare gem.” My hand tightens on hers in solidarity rather than a warning. “I asked her to marry me because my life has not been the same since I met her.”
“So you didn’tjustmeet?”
Lavender’s expression twists into a sneer. “Ew, Mum, no! I did not just marry my one-night stand.”
“No, of course not.”
“I walked into Lavender’s gallery exactly six weeks ago.” I gaze adoringly down at her, which isn’t hard. She averts her gaze, but I guess coy works just as well as adoration. “I walked in a whole man and walked out having left my heart.” Lifting her hand, I press a kiss to the backs of her fingers. It surprises the fuck out of me as she tips onto her toes and throws her arms around me.
“You haven’t got a heart,” she whispers hotly in my ear.
As she begins to pull back, I hold her for a second longer than appropriate in a nonverbalbehave.
“Oh. You’ve been dating?”
“I just didn’t mention it because there are way too many opinions in this house.”
“That’s true of most large families who love each other.” Polly’s reply makes it sound as though this is a common refrain.
“Raif asked me to marry him, and I said yes. We’re really happy, and neither of us wanted to wait. So we took his jet and flew to Gibraltar. It’s where Raif is from.”
“Oh.” Polly reaches out, sliding Lavender’s hair over her shoulder. “How lovely.” Her eyes seem to glisten as they flit my way again. “You had family at the ceremony?”
“No. It was just the two of us. Lavender insisted we get back for lunch today to share our happy news.”
“Yeah,” she replies without much conviction. “To tell you all.”
“Oh, well. Lovely,” Polly musters. “I’m sure your brothers will be—”
“I don’t care what they say,” Lavender retorts. “I’m twenty-four, not twelve. I get to make my own life choices. Raif has his own private jet,” hurricane Lavender says, veering the conversation away. “Not like Whit. He uses a company jet,” she adds for my benefit. “And he hassucha beautiful house in Gibraltar, Mum. It’s huge! All white, and all clean lines, overlooking the ocean. Isn’t that right, Raify bear?
“It has a pool and tennis courts, and Raify baby says we can all spend the summer there. All of us,” she adds with malicious glee. “Kids, partners, and Granny. Isn’t that right, honey?”
“Of course.” It doesn’t mean I’ll be there. “But I think you should pick a pet name and stick with it, princess.”
“Do you, pookie?” This time, her smile is all teeth. “Well, I have to choose. I suppose it will have to be Rita.”
