She grinned. “I love him to bits—even when I want to strangle him. But that’s how you know. Enjoy the ride. Love being in love.”
“I’m not in love,” I said.
Cici snickered. “Maybe not yet—or maybe you’re just not ready to admit it. But your reaction? You’re invested, woman.”
I was. I couldn’t deny how much it hurt me to think about Mary boarding a plane and never seeing me again.
“We’re going to try,” I said. “But… we want to wait until everything settles after UniVox… if we’re even together.”
“I have hope.”
“You don’t even know?—”
“Betty, I have seen you go home with a lot of people, but I’ve never seen you react quite so violently to what happened. Nor have I ever felt so guilty about ribbing you like my kid sister. I realize it was shitty because itmeantsomething. I think waiting is good for a variety of reasons, but when you’re ready, I’m here.”
“You’re busy playing protomonarch.”
“I’m also your big cousin and you’re doing me a favor or five, sweetheart. I’m here. And if you’re worried about the future? Well, it’s mine to own. I won’t tolerate any backlash,” Cici said. “Do you trust me?”
“Do I have a choice?”
“Not a chance, Bets.”
Part Two
The EP
Chapter 22
Unofficial Duties
BETTY
“Hello!” I entered the palatial Regents Park estate my cousin Leah shared with her wife Lourdes.
Tonight was the big Royal Albert Hall event, hosted by Leah and Ingrid. After several weeks apart, I would finally see Mary in her element. Once more, I worried that the spark would fizzle. Even though we talked nonstop on the road, it wasn’t the same. Things hadn’t ended on a particularly stable note. And with the documentary team following us, I was worried we might never get a moment truly alone.
Two adorable sets of eyes. Leah and Lou’s toddler twins—Victoria and Bobby—faced me. Bobby was shy, but Victoria had no qualms greeting me as the driver deposited my one small suitcase.
“Betty!” Victoria buried her face in my hip.
“Hi, my love,” I dropped to her level. “And hello, Bobby.”
He gave a shy wave as his mother appeared, looking effortlessly chic in a short magenta dress. She always looked perfect in a way I would have hated if I didn’t love her so much.
“Lou will be down shortly,” Leah said. “She’s still getting ready. And I assume you want to get changed.”
“Yeah. I put on makeup on the plane. Does it look okay?”
I stood, letting Leah inspect me.
“Oh, sweetie, go ask Lou. I am hopeless with that, you know? She’s always the one who gives me the once-over.”
It never occurred to me that could be a fringe benefit of marriage to a woman with better beauty skills. I suspected that wasn’t really Mary’s thing.
Leah stepped back. “To me, it’s fine. You’re not going to be on stage. I had to do it up big. But before you scurry, what are you doing here? Are you, Ingrid, and Keir okay? She didn’t mention anything other than you snubbed them.”
I rolled my eyes. “It’s not that. I… I have reasons. Like I said, I wanted to come to see everyone.”
