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Scott hadn’t seen Derek since the auction in June, which was unusual. Although he lived in Manhattan and spent the majority his time there, he visited his place in Newport as often as possible, especially in the summer. Often he spent entire weeks there when he could. Whenever he did, he called Derek and they got together. Not once so far this summer had, he called or messaged his cousin.
“New York and London. Other than the weekend I took Paige on our first date, I haven’t been back to Newport since the fundraiser.”
“You’re slow. Colton already fulfilled all four of his dates. He couldn’t get rid of Tyanna fast enough.”
Scott gave a slight shrug. “Our schedules have conflicted. No big deal. I’m not in a big rush. Paige isn’t either.”
“Who is she? Before the fundraiser, I’d never heard of Paige Foster. Asked Allison. She never heard of her either.”
“Her grandfather is Michael Foster. As in Foster Oil.”
“I thought he only had daughters,” Derek said.
“It’s complicated, but Foster’s son, Jeremy, and his daughter-in-law live in Scituate.” Since Paige said the man didn’t go by Michael any longer, he wouldn’t call him by that name. He also wouldn’t share the family history she’d told him. Not only was it personal, but also his cousin didn’t need to know.
Derek shrugged and accepted his explanation. “Brooklyn and I are taking the Affinity to either Block Island or Martha’s Vineyard tomorrow. If you’re around, join us.”
“Appreciate the offer, but I have plans with Paige.”
“Getting your second date taken care of?”
“Yeah, something like that.”
“Bring her too. Brooklyn won’t mind.”
They only got tomorrow together before he flew out again. While he enjoyed spending time with his cousin and didn’t doubt the four of them would have a good time, he wanted Paige all to himself. “Thanks for the offer. Maybe next time.”
“If you change your mind, call me. We won’t leave until after breakfast.”
From across the room, his mom waved him over. “Looks like you’re being paged,” Derek said.
“Talk to you later.”
Mom hugged him before he managed a hello. “I’ve missed you,” she said. Even though her children were all adults, she liked keeping in contact with them. Usually he didn’t allow so much time to lapse between either visits or phone calls. “Have we even spoken since the fundraiser?” she asked.
He’d considered calling her a time or two, but then other things had come up and distracted him. “No. Sorry. This new project in London’s been insane. I’m flying back over Monday morning.” He hadn’t even bothered to check out of his hotel there. Instead, he’d left everything in his suite and hopped a plane for Rhode Island and his cousin’s party.
“Well, at least you made it here today. Can you believe they’re getting married Labor Day weekend? It’s crazy. No one can put together a proper wedding in a few weeks. Derek said Abby’s already started helping them. And of course I will too, but still. They should wait. Give us at least eight months to plan. Have a nice early spring wedding. I don’t see the rush.”
He noticed his mom mentioned Derek’s stepmom but not Brooklyn’s mother. Didn’t most mothers get involved with the planning of their daughter’s wedding? “Isn’t Brooklyn’s mom helping too?”
Marilyn shook her head, surprise on her face. “Didn’t Derek tell you?”
“Tonight’s the first time I’ve talked to him in weeks.”
His mom stepped closer and lowered her voice. “Brooklyn and her parents are no longer speaking. They weren’t pleased when she and Derek announced their engagement.”
He’d not seen either Scarlet or Donovan Novak tonight, although he had spotted Brooklyn’s cousin and her sister. He’d not thought anything of it. People were spread throughout Uncle Mar
k’s house. He hadn’t even seen his own father yet.
“Since Brooklyn doesn’t have her mom to help, Abby stepped in. And I promised to help with anything they need.”
He and just about everyone else in the family knew Brooklyn’s father disliked Derek. Nobody including Derek and Brooklyn knew why though. Or at least they hadn’t. Maybe they’d finally asked. Regardless of the man’s feelings, cutting his daughter out of his life was taking things to the extreme.
“Hopefully things will change between them soon. It’d be a shame if her parents miss the wedding,” she said, echoing his thoughts.
“But let’s talk about something more pleasant than Scarlet and Donovan Novak. How did your dates go after the auction? You did go on them, right? I know you’ve been busy, but sometimes you must put work aside.”
