Page 36 of Meant to be Mine

“Callum and Victoria did this thing at the store opening, a charity event to help feed kids in LA. Mimi has been doing it in New York. It’s still in the early stages but it’s happening. Right now Mimi’s here with Tiana, ironing out the details with Victoria’s help.”

“That’s wonderful,” I said. “That kind of work matters so much.”

“It does,” Victoria said. “I love it. I love that the Blackwell family is throwing their weight behind it. I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”

“She’s going to change the world,” Callum said quietly with love and pride as he looked at his wife.

Victoria looked at him with an expression so soft and unguarded that I had to look away. Not because it was uncomfortable, but because it felt private. I didn’t want to intrude.

“I’m hoping to change a small corner of it,” Victoria said.

“That’s how it starts,” I said with a smile. “One meal at a time. We have some kids at my school we all pitch in to try and keep fed and clothed. Scholarship kids, like I was back in the day.”

“That’s awesome!” Victoria exclaimed.

I laughed. “Thanks.”

“I like you, Kensey Blake,” Victoria said. “I’m officially declaring us friends.”

“I’ll take it,” I said.

I felt him before I saw him. It was a familiar tingling at the back of my neck. I turned and Drew was there, loosening his tie just slightly at the collar, scanning the patio until he found our little cluster by the railing. His expression shifted the moment he spotted me.

He made his way over, sidestepping a couple deep in conversation near the door and pausing briefly to shake someone’s hand before continuing toward us.

“Here he is,” Callum said.

“Here I am.” Drew stopped at the edge of our group and looked around at all of us with mild suspicion. “What’s happening over here? Are you corrupting her?” He looked at me. “Are you okay? Has anyone said anything terrible to you?”

“They’ve been lovely,” I said. “Genuinely lovely.”

“We were just telling her she should move back to LA,” Victoria said brightly.

Drew looked at her. Then at me. “Were you now? And how did that go?”

“It didn’t,” I said.

He glanced around the patio and back at me. “How are you doing? You’ve been on your feet since before anyone else got here.”

“I’m fine. What about you? Did you eat?”

“I’ve been munching.”

“The food is a massive hit,” I told him.

“I know.” He looked pleased with himself. “We did good.”

We both laughed and then I heard Callum clear his throat. I had almost forgotten they were standing there. When I turned, the three of them were staring at us. I didn’t miss the grin on Cleo’s face.

“Dance with me,” he said. “You promised.”

I took a slow breath and reminded myself that we were friends celebrating a successful evening. That was all this was.

“I did promise,” I said.

I took his hand.

He turned back to Callum, Victoria, and Cleo, sweeping his other hand toward the doors in an exaggerated invitation. “All of you. Come on. We’re celebrating.”