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“I want to establish a mood for the type of piece. It’s part of my process.”
There’s a silent standoff across the jewelry case, until Hannah caves.
“You could have gone somewhere else.” She lifts her brows. “And avoided my questioning.”
“I didn’t realize that was an option. I’ll be going now.”
I turn to leave, but Hannah reaches for my arm.
“Okay, okay. You’re right. I’d be devastated if you shopped somewhere else. I got excited, that’s all.”
She reaches into the case and pulls out the delicate necklace with the wildflower pendant and sets it on the mat. I didn’t have to tell her that’s the one I wanted. She knew.
This time when our eyes meet over the jewelry case, there’s softness in her gaze, understanding. The excitement she’s talking about is still there, you’d have to beat that out of her, but for the first time in our relationship, it feels like she’s the older sibling. That she’s the one advising, showing me a rite of passage.
I simply nod. That’sthe one.
Hannah motions to her sales associate to wrap it up.
I reach for my wallet, but Hannah waves me off.
“First one’s on me. I’m sure there will be more.” She gives me a secretive wink.
“Thank you.”
She hands me the gift bag with the necklace inside, then throws her arms around me, squeezing tight. With a final wave, I leave her shop and head back to my office.
CHAPTER24
Sophie
“You know this isn’t a lake house, right?” I set my purse on the side table by one of the three oversized sofas flanking the stone and wood fireplace that has its own built-in firewood storage bin, and take in the view. The wall of the living room facing the lake has two large panel sliding windows that are at waist height. I know that they’re sliding panels because they’re pushed to one side, offering an unobstructed, panoramic view of the crystal blue waters of Lake George below. “This is amansionby the water.”
On the drive, Hunter informed me that while many prominent families have homes in The Hamptons, his family has been coming to Lake George since he was a toddler. Until Griffin and I started happy face pancake Sunday, I didn’t have any traditions growing up. There was no consistency. It was whatever my mom could handle in the moment. Christmas with a few presents one year, not even putting up a tree the next.
Hunter comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and bending slightly so he can tuck his head next to mine.
“It’s my family’s lake house, but you can call it what you want.”
The mention of his family has me pulling away from Hunter, and the spectacular view, to peruse the built-in bookcase nearby displaying countless photos of said family. There are a few of Hunter’s and Hannah’s milestones, graduations and Hannah’s engagement photo, but most are candid photos taken by the lake or out on a boat.
“They’re not missing it for the holiday weekend?” I ask.
“My parents are traveling. My mom has had a travel bug for a while, but even more so since my dad retired. And Hannah offered up the house’s exclusivity as part of the deal we made for me attending the gala with Allison.”
“You got a lot out of that arrangement. You must be a top-notch negotiator.”
“You have no idea.” His smile is cocky. “Now, let’s see, do you want me to fuck you on the kitchen counter first or a lounger on the back porch?”
“I’m not going to defile your family’s lake house.”
“So, you admit itisa lake house.”
“Oh my God.” I roll my eyes. “It’s going to be a long two days with your cocky ass.”
Hunter tackles me playfully and drops us backwards onto one of the oversized sofas, smothering me with kisses before we’re both laughing and breathless.
“Admit it, you like my cocky ass. You wanted to spend two whole days with it.”
