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The number displaying on my car’s console shows a UK cell number. I hit the Bluetooth button on my steering wheel to answer it.
“Hello?” I say cheerfully.
“Hello, Milly?” Simon’s baritone, sexy as hell, British accent comes through the speakers on my phone.
“Hi, Simon,” I say cheerfully, genuinely pleased to hear from him. This man has single-handedly pulled Addie out of her self-imposed emotional isolation and has given her back to all of us. I adore him.
“Simon, I’m here, too,” Lilly says in a chirpy tone I don’t hear very often.
“Uncle Simon, hi,” Anthony chimes from the back seat.
Simon’s rich laughter fills the car. “Well, this is a treat. I didn’t expect to catch all of you, but it’s great I did. I want to talk to you all about something, but I had to wait for Ad to go to bed before I could call.” He pauses, maybe for dramatic effect, and Lilly and I look at each other with raised eyebrows.
“Well, don’t be so cryptic! Spit it out!” she says giddily.
“I want to ask Addie to marry me. In Versailles. I want you all to be there. I was aiming for the second weekend in June. If you can make it, I’d love to make all of the arrangements.” This all comes out fast and low. And when he’s done, the car is completely silent.
“Hello?” Simon says tentatively into the silence.
“You’re getting married?” Lilly asks incredulously.
“Well, I’d like to ask her. I mean, do you think it’s too soon? I just thought it felt right, but if you guys think—”
“Hell no, it’s not too soon,” she interjects.
“Simon, this is amazing news! And of course we’ll come. And you don’t have to make all of the arrangements. Just tell us the dates, and we’ll be there,” I say my heart about to burst with happiness.
“Speak for yourself, Milly. I’m happy for Simon to make my arrangement. He’s rich as hell,” Lilly snaps.
“Lilly, shame on you. Simon ignore her,” I say.
“No, don’t ignore me. Buy my ticket,” Lilly quips back.
Simon’s laugher bursts through the speakers. “Well, let me get everything arranged. It’s a surprise. I’ve got to make some arrangements, but I want to at least put you up. I have a special hotel in Paris I want us all to stay in.”
He’s such a gentleman, Addie did so well with this one. I remember something suddenly.
“Simon, have you already talked to my mother?” I ask cautiously.
“Yes, I called her first. To let her know my intentions and to get her blessing. She was very enthusiastic.” I can hear the smile in his voice and can only image how happy this makes my mother.
“Well, this is all wonderful. Let us know what’s happening when and thank you so much for calling.”
“Thank you for being so excited. I think it’s going to be very special. I’ll call you soon. Bye for now.”
The line disconnects and Lilly and I squeal. Our baby is getting married. How amazing. We all already have plans to travel to London in September for Cara and Louis’ wedding, so this just adds to the excitement of it all.
We spend the rest of the ride home talking about Addie and Simon. I forget that I didn’t get a chance to ask Lilly any of the questions I had for her about her life in Miami.
32
Lilly, my mother, and I went out to dinner together tonight. Anthony is with his dad, and Dean is having dinner with his new team. So, it’s just us girls. We decide to go into DC to one of our favorite places, Fogo de Chao, a Brazilian steak house on Pennsylvania Avenue a few blocks from the White House. They have the most amazing grilled meats, and it’s all you can eat. Their salad bar is legendary, but the thing I love the most is the round cheese bread they serve. I have a mild obsession with it.
Even though Addie’s not here, it still feels nice to be together.
There are some things I couldn’t tell Addie and Lilly over the phone. I was too paranoid even calling from Dean’s office line, which he assured me was secure.
As soon as our waiter leaves, I turn to Lilly and let her know everything I’d left out. Including my mother thinking she has seen our father.
