Page 68 of Kiss Me Forever

Thankfully, I had cleaned the dirt out from under my nails, but I still looked like I played in the garden all day. Because that’s what I did.

And here we were, heading towards the same neighborhood that Duke’s family lived in. The homes were huge, on large swaths of land, and could easily be a few million dollars each. I was so far out of my depth it wasn’t even funny. But then Reece squeezed my hand, and I realized that I wasn’t the only one nervous.

We pulled up to the mid-century Gothic home, with an actual honest-to-God turret, and I blinked.

“Is that a turret?” I asked, my voice dry.

“Yep. Grandma won’t let me use it. It was for her office, and the front sitting room. Although I don’t think anyone actually sits in it.” With a dramatic sigh Bella got out of the SUV, and I gave Reece a look before I scrambled to follow her.

Reece was out of the SUV and by Bella’s side before I could blink, and I went to Bella’s other side, showing that we were a team.

We might look like a family, but I didn’t want to confuse Bella, her grandparents, or even me for that matter.

We were Bella’s team and that was all that mattered.

The door opened and a man who could only be labeled as a butler stood there, with his thin nose in the air. “Bella. It’s good to see you are well.”

“Hi Henry. Are Grandmother and Grandfather here?” she asked.

I knew she was trying to sound as if she was strong and unworried, but I heard the unease in her tone. I squeezed her hand, and she leaned her shoulder against mine for just a bare moment. The butler however saw the action, and his eyes narrowed.

“They are in the dining room, waiting for you. As it is summer you do not have coats, but is there anything I could take from you?”

I didn’t know if I was supposed to give him my purse or not, but I kind of didn’t want to give it up. Instead I just smiled awkwardly, and Reece shook his head.

“No, thank you.”

“Bella knows the way.”

I wasn’t sure if he was rude or not that he wasn’t showing us, but then again, I had only been in a few homes that had a butler. Duke’s family had one, but I had always been with Duke, or Chelsea. Then again, I hadn’t been back since the funeral.

I pushed those odd memories from my mind because they didn’t matter anymore, and followed Bella into the dining room. There was a full spread of silver platters laid out on the mahogany table, as both grandparents stood by the window, a drink in hand. He had an Old Fashioned, she a Dirty Martini, and I tried not to smile.

Duke’s parents had always said those who went dirty with their martinis must be dirty in morals, and I had thought it was a joke at the time. Perhaps the upper echelons had their own pretentious ways to judge each other. I myself loved a Dirty Martini, and an Old Fashioned. Right then and there, I could use either one of those. I had no idea what I was doing here other than being here for Bella, and yet, I felt like I needed to go home. It was a little too much for me.

“Grandmother, Grandfather. We’re here.”

“You do not need to announce yourself like a ragamuffin, Bella.” Bella’s grandmother shook her head and set her glass on the side table. Her grandfather did the same, before leaning on his cane. He didn’t move towards us, and I had a feeling he probably shouldn’t be standing as he was. Then again, I didn’t know the recovery time for a hip replacement. It had been over two months now, but I hadn’t seen these people since before the surgery. I knew Bella had only once, so maybe this was normal now.

“Thank you for your text by the way that you would be bringing another person. Thankfully you did it ahead of time so we had a place setting. But texting, Bella. Really?”

“I’m sorry,” I blurted. “That’s my fault. It’s good to see you both again, Mr. and Mrs. Long.”

“Ms. Montgomery. I didn’t realize that coworkers came to family events,” Mrs. Long practically snarled.

“Barbara, dear. Don’t you see the connection? It seems that Reece is spending no time trying to replace our dear Cassandra.”

The blood drained from my face as Bella let out a soft squeaking sound, but then Reece was there in front of us.

“Reginald, Barbara. Thank you for the place setting, but if this is going to be how you both act, we’re not staying.”

“Do you think you can dictate how we are around our granddaughter?” Barbara asked.

“Please stop fighting. I’m sorry. I just wanted Brooklyn here. She’s my friend.”

“Is that what she calls herself?” Mrs. Long sneered. I had no idea how many martinis this woman was on, but it had to be more than a few.

“You know what, let’s just call this a wash, and I’ll be out in the car.” I squeezed Bella’s hand, but she refused to let go.