Page 35 of Meant to be Mine

“What did you expect?”

I considered that. “I expected the Drew who lost his keys three times a week and forgot to eat lunch and thought planning ahead meant thinking about something the morning it needed to happen.”

Callum laughed. “That Drew still exists.”

“He does,” I agreed. “But this Drew kept fourteen models moving through a fitting without anyone losing their mind. So he’s gotten more organized with age.”

“He’s grown up a lot,” Cleo said fondly. “The store did that. Having something real to run.”

“It suits him,” I said. “I told him that on my first day. He looked at me like I’d said something surprising.”

“He doesn’t take compliments well.”

“He takes them fine. He just doesn’t believe them.”

Victoria was watching me. I had already decided I liked her and she was really good for Callum.

“Ever think about moving back to LA?” she asked.

I shrugged. “Maybe. I only came home this summer because mom broke her arm. It wasn’t super serious, but it felt like a good time to come visit. I realized I’d been signing up to teach summer school and just saying I’d see them next year.” I shrugged. “So this year I stopped doing that because I’ve realized I don’t have a lot of summers left where it’s an option.”

“How is she doing?” Cleo asked.

“Much better. The bone is healed. She’s in the cast for another week or two and she’s absolutely insufferable about it, which I choose to take as a sign she’s back to her normal self.” I smiled. “She’s doing a puzzle. A thousand-piece polar bear in a snowstorm. Round. No corners.”

Victoria’s mouth dropped open. “That’s sadistic.”

“That’s what I said.”

“I love her already.”

“She’s the best.”

Callum had moved to stand at the railing beside me, looking out at the water. “It’s good that you came back,” he said. “Drew could use the support on this campaign. Edith keeps things moving at the store, but she made it clear she didn’t sign on for any promo events.”

“She’s terrifying,” I said.

“She is,” he agreed. “But she’s very good at her job and she keeps him honest, which he needs.”

“I met a couple of your cousins,” I said. “You guys sure do share a lot of DNA. Little carbon copies. Well, technically large copies.”

Victoria laughed. “I agree. Meeting all of them is very intimidating.”

“They’re teddy bears,” Cleo said. “At least now they are. Briggs always intimidated me, but he’s the softest of them all once you see him with Mandy.”

“Don’t let him hear you say that,” Callum said.

“He wouldn’t hurt a fly,” Victoria said. “Except maybe in court.”

“Mom and my Aunt Mimi are in heaven right now,” Cleo said. “They’ve got all the grandbabies at the house. Most aren’t old enough to do pony rides and eat their body weight in sugar, but the day they are, things are going to get dicey.”

I told myself not to laugh at Cleo’s mention of the house like it was a three-bedroom rancher. I’d been to the house. It was a massive sprawling mansion.

“How is your mom?” I asked.

“She’s been keeping extra busy expanding Aunt Mimi’s charity,” Cleo said and looked at Victoria. “Thanks to Vic.”

“What charity?”