AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s just because I’m a redhead,” Polly replies, and then smiles over at Erin’s cousin, Drew, and his wife, London. “It’s so good to see you again, London.”
“Oh, you, too. Tell me you sell that dress in your shop because I’ll be stopping in to buy it.”
“I do, actually,” Polly says with a laugh. “And I’d love it if you came in before you leave town. I want to pick your brain, actually.”
“Pick away,” London replies.
I like that friends and family are sprinkled together so there aren’t any cliques. Similar to how last night went, the seating arrangement at this reception is perfect. At our table, we have Summer and me, Polly, Ryan, Drew and London, and Brady next to Zoey, who is Erin’s younger sister and didn’t come with a date.
London owns Seattle’s professional football team and has other investment businesses, as well, including ones in fashion. And from what Erin has mentioned in the past, London loves Polly’s shop.
Also, it’s not lost on me that we have two billionaires under the age of thirty-five at this table.
“Well, not that I carry it in my shop, but I was wondering what you think of this season’s ready-to-wear line from Dior?”
“Oh, it’s divine,” London replies and thumps her hand over her heart. “And if this is the direction that the house is going in, I can’t wait to see what they unveil at fashion week in Paris. Are you going?”
Polly laughs, sipping her drink. “No.”
“Why not?” Ryan asks her, speaking for the first time.
“Why am I not going to fashion week in Paris?” Polly asks him. “Oh, I don’t know, probably because it’s Paris, and while I love that some people can afford to do that, I’m not one of them. However, London, you have to take a million pictures and send them to me.”
“Polly, come with me,” London invites, and it stuns Polly speechless. Under the table, Summer reaches for my hand and squeezes it. “Be my guest for the week. I always get a two-bedroom suite at The Ritz, and I’d be happy to share it with you.”
Polly blinks and frowns down into her drink and then shakes her head and smiles up at London. She wants to go. Anyone can see it written all over her pretty face.
“Thank you so much for the offer, but I can’t get away for a whole week.”
“Why not?” Ryan demands again.
“Because I have a business to run.” Polly sips her drink again and then sets it down. “Actually, since I have both of you here, I have a couple of investment questions.”
“Shoot,” Ryan invites her, London nods, and Drew turns to Brady to discuss football.
Summer leans into me and whispers in my ear, “I don’t know why she turned London down. Fashion week in Paris is Polly’s dream.”
“You’ll have to ask her about it later.” I kiss Summer’s cheek, and suddenly two little girls come whizzing by the table. One I recognize as my niece, Holly, and the other is her friend, Daisy.
Daisy’s shoe catches on a chair, and she pitches forward, planting her hands and knees on the concrete next to Brady.
He immediately springs into action, pulling Daisy onto his lap, and the little girl begins to cry.
“Hey now,” Brady says, checking out her hands. “Look here, you don’t even have a scratch.”
“M-m-my knees,” she says as big alligator tears track down her cheeks, and Brady pulls the skirt back far enough to expose her little knees.
“Well, those have a little scrape,” he concedes. “But it’s not too bad.”
“But my pretty dress is dirty.”
“Hey, you’re beautiful, Daisy, and your dress is just fine, I promise. I wouldn’t lie about that.”
Daisy hiccups twice and then wipes at her tears as Holly stands close by her friend, watching.
“It’s okay, Dais,” Holly says, patting Daisy’s shoulder. “You didn’t even rip it or anything. And your bow stayed in your hair.”
“It did?” Daisy reaches up, and sure enough, the bow is still there, which makes her smile. “Okay.”
