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His collection had sold out in under forty-five minutes, with early reviews hailing him as another Van Gogh or the second coming of Claude Monet, my all-time favorite impressionist.
“Look at you. Oozing sheer delight.” Matt nudges me with his shoulder, a shit-eating grin on his face that I can’t help but reciprocate. “You think your shit don’t stink because you’ve made Mom and that Hanson dude a pure fortune today, that it?”
I roll my eyes as I duck into Oracle, sticking out my tongue at him before scanning the vast open bar space, my eyes landing on a waving Elodie who’s dressed like she’s just stepped off a catwalk.
“Screw you, Mr. Social Media Isn’t My Thing! It’s not mine either, which you know, but I pulled it out of the motherfucking bag today, so eat this.”
Flipping him the bird, I quickly turn and rush toward our waiting friend as Matt’s laugh rings out through the bar.
I slip in beside a grinning Elodie, letting her tug me in against her side. “I’msofucking proud of you, babe. Such an accomplishment!”
Matt slides in across from us, arching a brow. “What a day, hmm.”
Levi walks through the front doors, his eyes finding us easily as Elodie leans across the table, a devilish smile on her pretty face. “And well done on your biggest achievement to date, Matty. I’m so proud of you forfinallywiping your own ass.”
Matt tosses a menu at a cackling Elodie as Levi sits beside us, throwing his arm over my shoulder and signaling to the clearly amused bartender. “Drinks are on this rising star right here!”
He presses a kiss to my brow, tugging me close against his side. “Always knew you were made for bigger and better than what South Brook has to offer.”
I shake my head as he disentangles his arm, and we settle back beside one another as Elodie and Matt rile one another up, as usual.
“You know I love it here, Lev. I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.”
My friend’s brow furrows, clearly intent on saying something when the bartender arrives with our drinks. “Long Island iced teas all around, right?”
His eyes land on me. “And since I know you’re underage, I’ve made yours a virgin.”
My friends chuckle as I accept my mocktail with a smile that’s more like a scowl. “I hate being the youngest.”
Placing the straw between her pouty, matte red lips, Elodie takes a big sip before tossing me a wink. “Sucks to suck, Caputo.”
“You’d know all about that, wouldn’t you?”
She feigns indigence, pressing her manicured hand to her chest. “Well, Inever…suck and tell.”
Our foursome’s joint laughter fills the space, and happiness fills me as I revel in the beautiful life I’ve been gifted.
* * *
“But you picked last time! Don’t I get a choice?”
I narrow my eyes at my mother, but she just shrugs. “My house. My choice.”
With a snort, I grab a bowl for our popcorn and pass it into her waiting hands. “That’s not fair. It’s my house, too.”
It’s her turn to snort as she pours the salty snack into the bowl before dumping a box of Whoppers on top.
Salty-sweet goodness!
“It’s only your house because I can’t seem to get rid of you.” She arches a pale blonde brow. “Damn freeloader.”
I press my hand to my chest, feigning hurt. “Ouch, that really stings, Mom.”
We share a smile then, as we both know I havezerointention of moving out of my childhood home any time soon.
I love our life here in South Brook. It’s just Mom and me, with Uncle Anthony visiting regularly despite his hectic work schedule.
Working at the gallery and spending my free time with friends, along with my love of painting, make my life here idyllic.
