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Something compels me to say something else. "Wait, My-Linh, one more thing." I swallow, not sure how to word the next thing I'm about to say. "I want to tell you; I am so sorry. I can't tell you how sorry I am. I had no idea what I was doing, how much hurt I was causing. And I can only hope that one day you and Damien can forgive me. Although Damien"—I roll my eyes and then grin—"can hold a grudge."
She rolls her eyes and lets out an unladylike snort. "Tellin' me." And then she smiles. "Do you have anything to wear to the wedding? We have a rehearsal dinner tonight at my cousin Jasmine's winery, Simpatico Wine Estate, down the road. And then the wedding will be here tomorrow. It would be so lovely if you could come. It's very laid back, you can wear whatever you like. I just wanted to make sure you felt comfortable. I mean, I'm short and stumpy"—we both look down at her short, yes, but anything but stumpy body—"but Kiara's clothes might fit. Just be careful, though. She's still pretty mad at you."
I blink. Is this woman for real?
I was bracing for a screaming match, ending with her kicking me out onto the streets of Barossa Valley. Not this... this understanding and kindness. How does someone become like this? Or is kindness God-given, planted in a soul like the little drop of blue or brown tint He colors into our eyes?
Either way, even though I cannot even aspire to this level of kindness, I'm privileged to be the beneficiary. "You are an angel," I say, genuinely awed. And secretly hope that her good nature will rub off on me.
"Ooh, no, no," she waves her hand. "Don't let Kiara hear you say that. That's what Kylian calls her."
"What does Damien call you?" I ask, curious. I can't imagine him having a nickname for anyone.
She laughs, a deep blush sprinting up her face. "You don't want to know."
"Matthias calls me 'hellion.'" I admit with a snort before I can stop myself.
My-Linh's face stiffens, eyes wide, and then she bends over and howls with laughter, grabbing my hand for support. She laughs for whole minutes. Now and then she screams "hellion" again, reinvigorating her own laugh. Her mirth is infectious and I find myself falling onto the floor, gasping along with her.
We're still howling when the door opens.
"Rissie, I just talked and Damie—" Matthias and Damien freeze at the threshold and their faces adopt a look of almost cartoonish surprise at the sight of me on the floor, grabbing My-Linh's hand, as she doubles over clutching her stomach.
"'Rissie?' Don't you mean'hellion?'" My-Linh shouts, and we fall back into laughter, ears bursting from the sound,
When we look back up, the door is closed and the guys are gone.
***
"Clarissa, tell us more about your club? Matthias has been raving about it to anyone who'll listen to him for ten seconds. But I'd love to hear it from you!" My-Linh says, settling down next to me on the flower bench when there's only the family left at the rehearsal dinner.
She tugs on Kiara's arm and plops her down on the seat next to us. Kiara hasn't said much to me, but that's not surprising. She's definitely My-Linh's protector, and is playing her role as bridesmaid to a T. It's hard not to brand her as a bitch, but in moments where she thinks no one is watching her and Kylian, she becomes putty in his hands.
I finish my drink and set the glass down next to me. "Well, um, the club has only been open about six weeks, so we're still in very early days. But it's going well. Actually, we're thinking of using the space during the day as a cafe. I'm really excited, because the truth is, I could use help to pay the rent."
"Just ask Matthias for it," Kiara says, eyeing me.
I honestly don't blame her for suggesting it. My monthly rent costs less than what they spend on restaurants monthly. "Well, I'm trying to do it on my own right now. It hasn't been easy, but it's been really fulfilling."
My-Linh smiles at me but nudges her friend with her elbow. "Don't mind her. She's mad because she's away from her business. Kiara stepped away from her family's fortune, too." She covers her face from her friend and mouths the word'billions'.
I laugh. "It's hard. The number of things I didn't know about just living." I grimace, remembering. "Why did no one ever tell me how much the phone bill costs?"
Kiara sits up, the bored look on her face fading. "Right? Or milk!"
"Milk costs so much!" I yell.
My-Linh chuckles next to us. "Never thought being former spoiled brats could be something to bond over."
Kiara elbows her friend, returning the one from before. "Says Damien Baxter's soon-to-be wife. Damien bought her parent's apartment building so they wouldn't have to pay the rent rise."
My-Linh's cheeks burn. "Hey, we weren't even together when that happened. Maybe it was the good influence of someone else." She winks at me.
And even though I know there could be nothing further from the truth, for a second I know what it feels like to have someone think good of you.
Chapter 40
Matthias
