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I was initially so distrusting of everyone around me after what happened. I had known that Missy was a snake in disguise as a socialite, but I never would have dreamt up that she would condone my kidnapping and, most likely, death.
I couldn’t shake it, knowing I would still possibly see her best friend and best friend’s younger sister around, so I called her. Emily agreed to meet with me at Jackson’s one late afternoon. That’s when she explained how in the dark she even was about Elaine.
“So you really had no idea why she wanted you at the gala so early?” I recall asking her.
“No idea,” she responded.
“What did you do early there?”
“Apparently, the whole thing was a ploy to make it not look so obvious that something bigger was happening behind the scenes. Missy demanded that Elaine’s husband, Rob, and I be there early to greet a couple who was being seated with us.”
I had encouraged her to continue.
“We arrived, and the couple seated next to us was the one who had supplied Kevin with the file he had to get that night. I have a feeling this couple is another set of victims of their schemes. We were barely there when everything unfolded.”
I realized then that I couldn’t expect answers from her, but I believed what she told me. Emily was always nice and considerate; by proxy, she was involved in this social circle, but she never liked it.
When we left that day, I asked her if we could see each other again as friends. I’m glad she agreed. Now Emily and I spend some time together, and it’s the first real friend I’ve had in a long time.
I tried playing matchmaker between Emily and Grayson, but they weren’t right for each other. Grayson isn’t rushing to settle down, and Emily is a bit mysterious about what she’s looking for in a partner.
At thirty-four, Grayson is driven by his business. At least he isn’t a total heartbreaker like many of the other single men in Charleston are known to be.
Having a broken heart is a terrible experience. I’m grateful for getting to this place in my relationship with Lachlan, regardless of how rocky it was to get here. I trust Lachlan completely to not let my heart even crack.
I worked hard to get to this point with Lachlan and at the end of the day, isn’t happiness what all of us want? Security, love, trust, and happiness. With those on hand, I would live a very full life.
“Avery?” Lachlan walks through our apartment door with bags in his hands.
“A little shopping? Why didn’t you tell me?” I pout.
Lachlan grins before coming up to me in the kitchen and placing the bags on the counter, wrapping his arms around me. I continue to stir the simmering pot of chili on the stove. One of the recipes I tested recently that Lachlan and I both love.
“Some presents for my Goldie girl,” he whispers into my ear.
A faint smile touches my lips.
Lachlan nips at my ear, and I squeal in surprise. Before walking away, he slaps my butt playfully.
“That smells delicious, is it the chili?” he asks as he uncorks a bottle of wine and takes out two glasses.
“It is! I know you mentioned wanting to set up the perfect night in, so I figured this is more us than take out or a fancy restaurant.”
“It is more us. I love it, but I would have cooked for you tonight.”
He slides a glass of wine my way. Going into our adjacent living room, he turns on the gas fireplace and starts lighting a few surrounding candles for ambiance.
“You know I love cooking.”
I move around the kitchen with an ease that I never had before. Cooking has become a new way to relax for me. I’ve been dying to do one of the cooking classes at some of the high-end boutique hotels and restaurants they have around here.
I let the chili simmer as I follow Lachlan into the living room and head for our record player.
“Our favorite Christmas classics record?” I ask Lachlan.
“Yeah, baby, let’s see how the classic gentlemen are doing tonight?”
“Let’s,” I answer before putting the record onto the player.
