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“You know,” Jules says as she takes a bite of her salad, “I’m so glad our kids aren’t assholes and that we actually like to be around them. All of the kids in the family are good eggs. Not everyone has it as good as we do.”
“You’re not wrong,” Mom agrees. “Our girls are good people.”
I cringe behind my water glass.
I’m a good person who lies to her mother’s face.
Stella gives me another look. Just tell them.
“Okay, I can’t lie.”
Mom and Jules glance at me with matching frowns. “What do you mean?” Mom asks.
“I’m seeing a guy. He’s super sexy, and I like him a lot. We’re having a good time together.”
“Now we’re getting to the meaty parts,” Jules says with anticipation. “Who is he? Do you have pictures? Tell us everything.”
“Oh, there are pictures,” Stella mutters, and I kick her under the table. “Ow.”
“I don’t want to tell you who he is.”
“Why? Is he a felon?” Mom asks.
“Does he have face and neck tattoos?” Jules adds. “Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Your uncle Leo has neck tattoos, and he’s very successful.”
“No, he doesn’t have neck tattoos. I just…I don’t want Dad to get mad.”
I say the last sentence in a whisper. All three of them get quiet, and then Mom rubs her hand over my back in a big circle.
“Your dad’s a pretty reasonable man,” she reminds me.
“Not about this.” I take a long, deep breath, and Stella nods her head in encouragement. “Okay, I’ve been seeing Vaughn Barrymore.”
“Thank the baby Jesus I don’t have to keep this secret anymore,” Stella says.
Jules grins. “Attagirl.”
“Oh,” is all Mom says. “Okay.”
“See? It’s going to be a huge issue, and that’s just silly. He’s a really nice guy—once he stopped being a complete cocky jerk.”
“And the sex is probably pretty good,” Jules says.
“I likely don’t want to consider that,” Mom replies. “I take it you haven’t talked to Luke about this.”
“Obviously, not. I need to, but I haven’t yet. Please, don’t tell him.”
“Oh, trust me, I won’t. That’s for you to do. I think you’re underestimating your dad here.”
“It’s like ripping off a bandage,” Jules advises. “Just do it fast, face the music, and move on.”
“Easy for you to say,” I mutter.
“Wait, I still have to keep the secret?” Stella demands. “Like, you’re not telling everyone?”
“Not yet. I mean, it might not even last. It could fizzle out, and then there’d be no need to tell anyone.”
“Secrets wear you down,” Mom says. “I don’t recommend it. But it’s your choice.”
“I’ll talk to Dad. I’ll come talk to both of you. Soon.”
“I don’t see it fizzling,” Stella says. “I haven’t met the guy in person, but based on the last week or so, it’s just ramping up. You should come clean.”
I think of Vaughn and the look on his face when I assured him that I’d talk to my dad. I could tell that it was important to him.
“You’re all right,” I concede. “I’ll come over for dinner next weekend and talk to him.”
“Good idea.” Mom smiles at me and then looks over at Jules. “Are we having dessert?”
“Hell, yes,” Jules replies. “I want to hear all about the hot sex Livie’s having while I enjoy some chocolate cheesecake.”
“I’m not going to talk about that.”
“Don’t be a spoilsport,” Jules replies.
He lives in Malibu.
Not the Hollywood Hills or the Pacific Palisades. Vaughn’s place is on the cliffs of the Pacific Ocean down a long, gated driveway. The house itself is modern, with clean lines and lots of windows so you feel like you’re on top of the water. The furniture is simple, the floors cold tile.
And that’s the best way to describe it. Cold. It’s nothing like his place in Seattle.
We just arrived in LA this morning and finished with the tour of Vaughn’s home, and while he takes a business call, I’m on one of the vast balconies, watching the ocean.
I’m nervous about the dinner tonight. It’ll be my first industry event, and I’m going as Vaughn Barrymore’s date. It’s all surreal—and a little exciting, too.
I’ve wanted to go to these things since I was a kid, but that obviously wasn’t allowed.
And I’m not here with Vaughn to sate some childish wish. I’m here because I like him, I enjoy being with him, and maybe it’s time to network a bit.
“You found my favorite spot,” Vaughn says as he joins me at the railing and looks out at the water. “I spend a lot of time out here, whenever I’m here—which isn’t too often.”
I turn to look at him. “You don’t spend much time in your home?”
“No, I’m usually on location somewhere, and I prefer to spend time at the Seattle house. It’s more comfortable. I bought this place so I had a home in LA and for the investment. You can’t beat Malibu real estate.”
