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"That's absurd," Knox retorts.
Talon tilts his head thoughtfully. "Now, that's interesting."
"Your mother suggested it," Dad adds, as if that settles it.
I try to interject, but Dad barrels on about featuring eligible men in our magazines and the women who adore them. It sounds like a gossip column gone wild.
"Who would we even write about?" Knox asks, incredulous.
"Singles! Damn it! Hell, we could write about the three of you, seeing not a one of you is settled down yet!" Dad bellows, his patience wearing thin.
I lay a hand on Knox's arm, silently urging him to hold his fire.
"How exactly would we manage this, Dad?" I ask, trying to steer this shipwreck of an idea.
"We'll discuss it over dinner," he declares, just as Vera, our ever-present house manager, announces that dinner is ready.
"Thank you, Vera," Dad says, ushering us out. Knox looks like he's ready to start a revolution, while Talon is smirking like he's in on this cosmic joke. He clearly knows something. Me? I'm just here for the sideshow, wondering how long it'll take before this 'stag series' idea crashes and burns.
* * *
Genesis
Walking into the Forrester's Hamptons mansion after ten years sets my heart racing with a mix of nostalgia and anxiety. Rachael Forrester, the matriarch, greets us with her customary grandeur. "Genesis, Robyn, I'm so glad you could make it. Do come in. You both look lovely this evening," she says, her voice echoing through the halls adorned with transitioning holiday decorations.
Robyn Ayyagari, my new boss, looks around in awe. "Your home is always to die for, Mrs. Forr—"
"Now, Robyn, I've told you, call me 'Rachael,' dear," she interjects with a kind smile, then quickly adds, "And thank you. The crew will redo this for Valentine's right after New Year's. I do hope you two can make it to the holiday parties."
"Everything is lovely, Rachael," I say, trying to mask the butterflies in my stomach. It's been ages since I've seen her, and even my occasional run-ins with Talon during college were fleeting. Now, here I am, back in town, working for Forrester, yet Talon is probably unaware of my new position. I desperately wanted this job to be a testament to my abilities, not just my connections. A blush creeps onto my cheeks as I remember graduation night with Reece and the what-ifs that lingered.
Vera, the familiar Forrester house manager, appears with her warm smile, taking our coats. Her presence momentarily pulls me from my reverie. Rachael then beckons us to follow her to the dining room while mentioning fetching her husband and sons for dinner.
"Vera, could you let Jeron and the boys know it's time to eat?" Rachael asks, her voice carrying the authority of someone used to being obeyed.
"Certainly, Ma'am," Vera replies cheerfully.
As we walk further into the Forrester home, the delicious aromas of dinner tantalize my senses, but it's the thought of seeing Reece again that truly unnerves me. Working for his company, our paths were bound to cross eventually, but Talon's dinner invitation has hastened that inevitability.
I had only recently met Robyn, my boss, but I instantly recognized her as the woman from the bar that night with Reece. I never found out what happened between them, and I wasn't brave enough to ask. Now, she seems just as nervous as I am, fidgeting with her bracelet, her eyes scanning the room.
"Are you okay?" I whisper to her as Rachael speaks with the chef across the room.
She motions for us to get drinks, and a server offers champagne. Robyn takes a sip before confiding, "I've been on assignment abroad for the last year. This is my first time back. They don't really like me."
"Who? The Forresters?" I ask, lowering my voice.
She shakes her head. "No, just Knox's parents."
"Knox?" I ask, surprised. I knew of him, the oldest son, but our paths had rarely crossed, as he was about ten years older than Talon.
Robyn takes another sip. "He and I went to graduate school together. We got our MBAs and got…close."
"That's great," I reply, feeling a sense of relief. So, it wasn't Reece she was worried about.
Rachael turns to us, "Sorry about that, ladies. Just sorting out some dinner details. Before Jeron and our sons join us, I wanted to make you aware of a new project idea we have for Forrester Media."
"Anotherproject?" Robyn asks, her expression turning quizzical.
