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Sofie smiles warmly. “Hey. It’s great to meet you.”
“So nice to meet you all.” I sound more nervous than I want to, still shaken from that conversation with my parents.
My eyes meet Callum’s and his expression isn’t giving much away, but I get the sense that he’s almost apologetic. Not sure why that would be.
“We brought some food over,” Grinny says. “Heard Pierre’s niece was in town. You look so much like your beautiful mother, dear…and I see your uncle in there too.” Her eyes crinkle when she smiles.
“Thank you. I forget how long she lived here since she was gone long before I was born. I wasn’t sure anyone would really remember her.”
“I’m old enough to remember everyone,” Grinny says, laughing. “Please tell her hello for me.”
“I will.”
“God only knows what my brother has tried to feed you,” Scarlett says, poking Callum in the side.
He rolls his eyes, but it doesn’t have the same edge it did when his brother was here. She leans on his shoulder and he puts his arm around her, tugging on the end of her ponytail. It melts my heart a little bit. I always wanted a brother or sister. Scarlett’s eyes are full of mischief when she looks back at me.
“You arestunning,” she says.
My hand flies to my neck and I flush. “Oh, thank you. Coming from you, just wow. Both of you. That picture of all of you at the wedding…” I shake my head. “Breathtaking.”
Sofie’s eyes are shy now as she smiles. “Thank you so much. It was the best day.”
“I’m glad we got over here.” Scarlett pats Callum’s chest. “Don’t want this guy chasing you off.”
He shakes his head and grumbles something, walking over to the counter to pour a glass of water.
“Heneverhas company.” Scarlett is still going. “And we rarely get people to stay in Landmark beyond the tourist season.” Her smile widens. “Are you here to stay?”
“Uh…I’m not sure. I left in a hurry and don’t have a good plan yet,” I admit.
“Well, are you hungry?” Grinny asks.
“I…yes.” I’ve been eating so carefully the past couple of months so we wouldn’t have to do any drastic alterations on my dress that the thought of digging into this soup and salad with large buttery dinner rolls sounds divine. “Is that a pie I see?”
They laugh at my excitement.
There’s a knock on the door and then it opens and more people flood in. They introduce themselves as they come in.I’m on beauty overload. Seriously…this is the land of beautiful people. Sutton and his son, Owen, the next guy kisses Sofie before introducing himself as Theo, and a guy comes in and puts his arm around Scarlett’s waist…Jamison. All bearing more food.
“You’ve gotta be kidding me,” Callum mutters.
“Got room for more in here?” Wyatt calls when he comes in. He has a beautiful woman on one side, Marlow, and her mini-me on his other side.
“I’m Dakota,” the little girl says.
“I’m Ruby,” I say, as Callum mutters, “For fuck’s sake.”
His eyes grow wide as the little girl’s mouth drops and he digs in his pocket and pulls out a dollar, handing it to her. He motions for Owen to come over and hands him a dollar too.
“Ignore my filthy mouth,” he tells them. “Any day I get to see you guys is a treat, but your parents are suspect. This little impromptu party takes the cake.”
Dakota wraps her arms around Callum’s waist as he pats her back and looks around. “There’scake?”
Everyone laughs, me included.
“Ruby’s a pretty name,” Dakota says shyly.
“Thank you,” I say, smiling. “Your name is pretty too, and so is your hair.”
