AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Looking into Sylvie’s eyes was like sitting in front of a roaring fireplace. It’s flames warming her socked feet while snow fell outside. She’d never imagined that just being in Sylvie’s presence could be calming. Not when she’d spent their entire lives causing blood pressure spikes.
When the waitress was finished, Lauren’s father cleared his throat. “You’re right, mija. Whether we like it or not, we’re going to be seeing quite a bit of each other from now on.” He glanced at Sylvie and gave her a wink. “Let’s work on letting bygones be bygones.” He looked at Sylvie’s father. “I’ll start. I forgive you Manny. I forgive you for being such a weak little scrotum that you sabotaged my golf bag at a charity event for children with terminal illnesses.” He held up his coffee mug as if in a toast.
Well that’s not great, Dad.
“Oh, really? Now you’re blaming me for your subpar athleticism?” He adjusted his glasses. “That’s pathetic even for you.”
“Athleticism? Is that what you call a sport geriatrics can play? How about we play a real sport and you see how I mop the floor with your—”
“Dad,” Lauren interrupted. “We’ve gotten a little off track. Why don’t we leave the amends for another time, huh?” She turned her attention to Sylvie’s brother who looked entirely too amused by the tension. “Junior, what are you doing these days?”
“What he does every day, siting around playing with his—”
“Okay, Syl.” Lauren interrupted. “Not helping.”
Lauren looked to her mother for help starting a conversation, since she’d started campaigning, she’d gotten incredibly good at small talk. Unfortunately for her, her mother and Sylvie’s mother were locked in a staring contest like two dogs about to break their leashes and tear each other apart.
With wide eyes, she begged her father for backup. Apparently taking pity on her, he dropped his shoulders and came to her aid.
“So Barbara,” he addressed Sylvie’s mother. The unexpected use of her name breaking her out of her trance. “I heard some exciting news from Sylvia. Smart move making her the CEO of your operation. You know she almost made our contractor cry the other day. He tied up about a dozen loose ends after a single conversation with her.”
Lauren laughed, grateful to have somewhere to put her nerves. “It’s true. We’d been hounding him for a week. It took about ten minutes with Sylvie to see that—”
“That she’s a fire-breathing banshee?” Junior interrupted.
“Junior,” Sylvie’s mother snapped. “One more word and you’re walking home.” She turned her attention to her daughter, pride beaming out of every pore. “She has done some wonderful work. Thank you, Jose.”
“We’ve been thinking it’s time to turn things over too.” Lauren’s mother put her arm around her shoulder and gave her a squeeze.
Her words registered slowly. “Wait, what?”
Lauren’s dad gave his wife a this-is-not-the-time look, but she wouldn’t be stopped.
“We were going to wait until the grand opening next week,” she explained. “But now seems like as good a time as any to make the announcement.” She cupped Lauren’s face. “You’re more than ready, mi amor. All the paperwork has been drafted. It’s just waiting on signatures to make it official.”
Stunned, Lauren collapsed against her backrest. She couldn’t believe what her ears were telling her.
“Congratulations!” Sylvie enveloped her from the side and crushed her in a hug. “This is so exciting!”
A high-pitched laugh shot out of Lauren. She didn’t know what to say. The news was too unexpected.
“That figures,” Sylvie’s mother muttered before sipping her coffee.
Lauren’s mother swiveled her head to the side, laser beams all but shooting out of her rage-filled eyes. “What did you say?”
“Oh me? Nothing, Carla.” She paused for dramatic effect as she took another sip of coffee. “I just find it suspicious that you’re suddenly handing things over to your daughter the moment we did. I guess old habits die hard.”
“Okay!” Sylvie shot up. “We’re going outside for a minute before the food gets here.”
“Outside for what?” Her mother demanded as if suspicious that they might commit a felony if left alone.
Sylvie pulled Lauren to her feet. “A cigarette break.”
Her mother would’ve clutched her pearls if she was wearing them. “You don’t smoke,” she replied in a horrified shriek.
“I do now.” Sylvie pushed in Lauren’s empty chair.
“Manny, is she kidding? She doesn’t smoke. Does she smoke?”
