“No.” Amy poked the thread at the needle and missed. Twice. Ugh, she hated sewing. “It was an accident—”
“Then it wasn’t stupid.” He took the thread and needle from her, and in less than a second had it ready.
“Impressive,” she said, taking it from him.
“I’ve had lots of practice.” His expression turned solemn.
He didn’t have to say “since Crystal died.” She could see that plain as day on his face. “Usually, I ask Britt to sew on a button or fix a rip for me, but she’s out working on a project.”
“I look forward to meeting her someday.”
She looked at Max. “I’m sure you will, soon.” When he smiled, she returned it and quickly stitched up the hem. Her work wasn’t perfect, but no one would be lying on the floor with a magnifying glass, judging her sewing capabilities. “Okay, I’m ready to go.” She stood, only teetering slightly on her heels, using the table to steady herself. “Oops. New shoes, and they are totally going into the dumpster after tonight.”
He chuckled, then stood and held out his arm. “Lean on me if you need to.”
She rested her hand in the crook of his elbow. “Thank you. And may I say you’re looking suave and debonair tonight.”
“You may definitely say that.”
As they left, she hoped the rest of the evening would be smoother than the beginning of it.
***
Hunter’s Uber pulled up in front of his parents’ huge mansion. Although it was only dusk, the entire estate was illuminated, from the hedgerow lined up along the front to the interior rooms. From the passenger seat in the back of the SUV, he could see the huge spiral staircase and massive crystal chandelier through the large windows on the front of the house.
He thanked the driver as a man dressed in a crimson sportsjacket, black pants, and matching black tie opened the door. Hunter had never seen this guy before. He figured the chauffeur he met that day at Hutton’s would be doing valet duty tonight.
Stepping out of the SUV, he stared at the incredible house and gulped. He hadn’t grown up here, since his father wasn’t making the big bucks until he started his own law firm while Hunter was in high school. Still, he grew up more than comfortable. But this mansion was awe-inducing, and he’d only been here twice since they moved in five years ago.
He didn’t belong here. He knew it, and everyone else would too. As soon as he told his father happy birthday, he was heading out.
Although he arrived early, another car pulled up behind him, prodding him to go inside. He wished he could call Britt or even text her. But she’d said she was busy at K&Bs tonight and wouldn’t be able to answer her phone. He’d thought that was weird. What would she be doing that kept her from her phone? In the end, it didn’t matter. He shouldn’t be on his phone anyway. He needed to focus on his parents. He was only here because of them.
As soon as he walked through the door, he saw his mother... and his heart warmed. Until this moment, he hadn’t realized how much he’d missed her. And with his mind clear instead of hazy with alcohol, he was suddenly hit with everything she had tried to do to help him over the years. It put a lump in his throat.
“Hunter.” She sailed over to him in a whoosh of gray, sparkly satin and on a cloud of expensive, yet sparingly used, perfume. “Thank you for coming.”
Normally she would envelope him in a hug and rest her cheek against his chest. Even though she was in high heels, he was still over a foot taller than her. But she didn’t even shake his hand. She was keeping her distance, and he didn’t blame her.
Seemingly out of nowhere, Kirk and Payne appeared, both their jaws set in stone. He didn’t blame them for that either. They all had the same light-brown hair and hazel eyes, but his brothers were shorter, more dour versions of himself.
He looked at all three of them. “Thank you for inviting me. You won’t be sorry.”
“We better not be.” A muscle twitched in Payne’s cheek.
Kirk nodded. “Or you’ll be the one who’s sorry.”
“Boys,” Mother said in a firm, hushed tone. “Enough. Let’s just have a good time tonight. Your father only turns sixty once.”
His brothers nodded as they were joined by their wives.
“Nice to see you.” Everly hooked her arm around Payne’s waist.
Ashleigh, Kirk’s wife, nodded. “You’re looking good, Hunter.” She went over and hastily pecked his cheek.
“Thanks,” he mumbled, and from their bland expressions he could tell they were only being polite. He turned to Mother, and out of habit, he almost asked for a drink, stopping himself in the nick of time. “I think I’ll get a Coke.”
“I’ll go with you.” Mother gave a sharp look at Everly and Ashleigh, then turned to Kirk and Payne. “You don’t mind greeting the guests, do you?”
