Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 109608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
That act of purposeful change, selling the house in Rhode Island and putting my designer wardrobe I wore as Céline up for auction, gave me the fresh start I wanted. The money raised from the clothes, shoes, and handbags all went to the shelter I stood before when I thought I had nothing.
I had the profit from the house invested in the olive oil company. My parents gave it to me, but after a settled deal to pay the taxes with interest, just as Loch had suggested, I didn’t want the company to go under. The Rhode Island house saved it. It was unoccupied these days anyway. They called it an investment in our family for generations to come. That I could turn tragedy into something good means the world to me.
The day I turned over the keys, I found the Christmas present from Carter still there—a blank check to my own account. How thoughtful of him . . .
The door opens, and Allison peeks in. “Get out of bed, you sex fiend. Everyone’s almost here.”
I’m fisting the sheet at my neck. “Aren’t we past knocking at this point in our relationship?”
“Yeah, we stopped doing that around age six.” Her fire-orange curls bounce as she flops onto the end of the bed. Looking at me, she adds, “Do you guys ever get tired of doing it all the time?”
I smirk. “No.”
“I figured that would be your answer. I broke up with Matt.”
“What?” The shock spins my head. “Why?”
“It took Matt years to see me as someone worthy of his love, but that’s when I only had you and Carter as role models. You and Loch made me realize I deserve better than to be treated as a last option simply because I’m still hanging around.”
Sitting up, I rub her shoulder. “I’m sorry. You deserve better, though.”
She slides off the bed and stands at the foot of it. Dusting down the wrinkles of her dress, she adds, “It’s for the best. It feels good to make a fresh start.” Two peas in a pod, like always. “I’m a New York girl now, so let the dating begin.” Heading for the door, she opens it, then turns back and whispers, “Just a heads-up, Loch’s mom and sister are already here.”
“Thanks.”
As soon as the door closes, I get up. It was fun while it lasted and much needed, but no more lounging allowed. I’m ready to see everyone. I take a quick shower and get ready before heading into the living room.
“Hi,” I say as soon as I see Delta.
She immediately cuts from her conversation with Marina and Allison to hug me. “It’s so good to see you, Tuesday. Oh, do you want me to call you Céline?”
“I’m good with either, but I’m quite fond of Tuesday. It’s like I’ve been given a do-over. This time, I’m going to get my life right.”
Stepping back, she nods. “We’ve got to take those second chances when the opportunity arises. How are you feeling?”
“Honestly, never better. I give the mugging, concussions, and amnesia zero stars. But the life thereafter has been nothing short of spectacular.”
We laugh together as she wraps her arm around mine, including me in the conversation the group was having. Marina and I do a quick hug before she says, “If I’m an adult—and by every standard of society, except in my parents’ and brothers’ eyes, I am at twenty-one—age doesn’t matter when it comes to dating.”
I slowly back away from that conversation. Talk about a hot-button issue for not only her parents but her three older brothers. I think I’ll leave that one for them to weigh in on. I overhear Allison say, “I don’t see the issue.”
Quickstepping to the bar we set up earlier on the far end of the island, I pour a glass of champagne my parents sent over for not being able to fly back for the weekend. They’ve come so many other times over the past few months that I have no right to be upset. They’re just missed, is all. The Westcotts will keep me busy, though.
The day gets more boisterous as the rest of the family arrives from different places—Lark and Harbor from Manhattan. Noah, Port, and Lark’s dad arrive from Beacon. The grill is going on the deck, the drinks are flowing, and the laughter fills the air. I love this big, beautiful family. Although mine was more intimate with just the three of us, they make me feel like one of their own.
As the sun sets, Loch taps a spatula against his beer bottle. “Hey, hey. We have an announcement to make.”
My heart stops along with my breath. His eyes find me in the crowd, and he smiles, but then it falters, and he says, “Harbor?”
Loch comes to me, taking my hand, and leans down to my ear. “I’m sorry. I should have warned you.”