AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“But you’re still pretending? Does that mean we have to pretend? Does Mom and Dad know?” Rose asked.
Shit.“I haven’t talked to them yet. Though I’m sure once Mom goes to post her daily update, she’ll see all the posts, and I’ll get the phone call.”
“Good luck,” Sherry said with a laugh.
“Thanks, sis.”
She held up a bottle of wine she was in the process of opening. “Anytime.” Sherry started pouring glasses and sending them around the table. It wasn’t a family meeting without a bottle of wine.
I ran a hand over my face and sighed. “The other thing is Phoebe’s sister, Parker, is in town, and she honestly believes we’re engaged.”
Nero grabbed the bottle from Sherry and topped his glass off. “I guess that only means one thing.” Nero held up his glass. “A toast to Laurent. Welcome to the family, Phoebe.”
Back in my room, I eased the door open, ready to kick off my shoes, get in a bath and forget about the day.
“You’re back!” Parker jumped from the couch, several open takeout containers on the coffee table and clothes scattered about most surfaces.
“I am,” I said, picking up a shirt from the chair, folding it, and placing it beside me as I sat.
“Sorry about the mess. I bought a ton of new clothes before I left and never had a chance to try them on. Once you left, I realized I had all the time in the world.”
“And you ordered food.”
“Yes! Lewis helped me. I was starving, and since I don’t know the area, he was gracious enough to tell me all the restaurants you have here on the property. Five! I couldn’t believe it. Anyway, he gave me their menus and told me to let him know what I wanted, and he’d personally deliver it.”
“Did he?”
“He’s really sweet. You should give him a raise.”
“He’s great,” I agreed, though I wasn’t about to talk about paychecks of those under me.
“He also told me some days you go all day without eating.”
I waved her off. It’s not like it was a big deal. Sometimes I was busy, and by the time I remembered I hadn’t eaten, everything was already closed for the night. In those cases, I’d grab a yogurt out of my fridge and an apple.
“Have you gotten settled?” I asked, though from the looks of it, she was more than settled. She’d taken over and dominated my space.
“Yes, this place is great. And you didn’t have to come and check on me.”
“What do you mean?”
“You could have stayed with Laurent. I assume that’s who you snuck off to be with.”
A rush of words tried to all come out at once as my brain fought to keep the engagement façade alive and well. But all that came out was a bunch of sputtering, indecipherable sounds. I cleared my throat and tried again. “I thought I’d spend some time with you.”
“Really? You want to spend time with me?”
“Of course. You came all this way to see me.”
An unexpected smile spread across her face. Her eyes batted down, and she shifted, sitting upright. “I thought you’d be mad at me for showing up the way I did.”
“I’ll admit I was surprised.”
“But not mad.”
“No, not mad.”
“Good!”
