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“Absolutely not,” said Grace. “If more people are involved, certain other people will end up finding out.”
“If you don’t read me in, I’ll have to ask someone else about what I heard. Someone like... let’s see... Charlie. Yes, I’ll bet Charlie could help me figure out what’s going on.”
“Are you kidding me? I can’t believe my own sister is resorting to blackmail,” Grace complained.
“I learned from the best,” said Hannah, with a grin. “Now, spill it.”
“What choice do we have?” Olivia shrugged her shoulders.
“Fine,” said Grace. “You already know why Josh was trying to talk Olivia into getting married, right?”
“Yes, I know about the kids and the custody thing. But Olivia swore to me she wasn’t going through with it.”
“I’m not,” Olivia declared. “But I feel bad for Josh, and I want him to get custody of the kids, and so... We have a plan to make that happen.”
“With Charlie?”
“Yes,” said Grace. “You see, Josh is still crazy about her, and she’s totally in love with him, but neither one will admit it. I think they may not even recognize their own feelings. It’s like they’re trying to fool themselves.”
“I’m not so sure. Did you see Charlie with Derek on the plane?”
“That’s because Emily and Charlie are working against us,” said Grace. “Josh has Charlie and Emily convinced he’s actually in love with Olivia, so they’re trying to get Josh and Olivia together.”
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p; “And Derek? Is Charlie only pretending to like him? I mean, he’s pretty hot, and he’s going to Columbia Law, like Charlie.”
“I’m going to sacrifice myself and steal Derek away from Charlie,” Olivia said.
Hannah’s eyes were wide as she regarded her sister. Even Grace was surprised. “Since when did your goal change from distracting Derek to stealing him?”
“Since I saw him without a shirt on in the hot tub. Of course it’s his brilliant mind I’m really attracted to. I’m not shallow or anything.”
“Olivia, you’re unbelievable.” Hannah laughed. “Okay Grace, what can I do to help?”
“First of all, you can’t tell anyone, especially your sister.”
“You mean, me?” asked Claire, emerging from the same doorway with her hands on her hips. “You need me. I’m the only one smart enough to walk down this hallway and check to see if anyone else is listening.” When she’d assured the coast was clear, she returned. “Okay. So what’s the plan?”
SPENCER PUT THE PASTA on the table while Anne Gherring was arranging the seating. “Okay, there’s not enough room for everyone to sit at one table, so I’ve made arrangements. Steven and I will sit in the breakfast room with Josh and Olivia and the toddlers. Everyone else is at the dining room table.”
“Will you sit by me, Aunt Charlie,” asked Jace.
“Sure,” she confirmed, although she didn’t feel the least bit hungry. At least she felt less self-conscious, sporting jeans and an oversized sweatshirt that hid every possible curve on her body. She spooned a bit of pasta and sauce onto her plate, along with a small serving of salad, and proceeded to pick at her food and push it around to look eaten.
“You need to eat more than that. You burned a lot of calories skiing today, and you skipped lunch,” Emily whispered.
Charlie made a face and stuck a forkful of pasta into her mouth.
“Where are you skiing tomorrow, Charlie?” asked Grace. “I was hoping you could give me some pointers on my board.”
“You looked pretty good when I saw you this afternoon.”
“You didn’t see me when it was steep. I get nervous and I don’t want to turn. I end up going heel-side all the way down.”
“Why can’t Brad help you?”
“Even I know a husband isn’t supposed to try to teach his wife how to do something.” Brad chuckled. “We could have the shortest marriage in history.”
