“Thank you, Mom.” I sit down in the single chair and take the drink that my brother offers me. The vodka soda with a lime twist tastes delicious, and I don’t miss the way my mother eyeballs my drink.
Lance wouldn’t let me make dinner; instead, he opted to hire a private chef. I still can’t believe I was raised in the same family. One of the few times I have someone cook for me is when I’m hanging out with Sierra and Nick, and they’re ever-growing brood. That’s only because he’s an amazing chef with three super successful restaurants, and he loves to cook for everyone.
“Lainey, your brother says that you’re going to help with the new branding launch.” That comes from Mom.
“Yes, I changed up the design for the label, and then I’ll do whatever he needs.” I smile at Lance and then turn back to Mom.
She turns to my father. “CJJ Public Relations is one of the top PR firms in California.”
“Yes, Catherine Cole really turned it around when she took it over,” Dad says. “Lainey, you’re not back here asking for money, so I assume that the tattooing is going well.”
I expected it was going to be Mom who ruined the night first; that’s okay. I love my life in Atlanta, and I’m happy. Lance opens his mouth to say something, to defend me, I’m sure. I shake my head.
I’m not sure where that comment came from because I’ve never asked them for anything. “We’re actually so busy that we’re booked months in advance. My cancellation list is twenty deep. We just did a charity photoshoot for a calendar run that we’ll sell and donate the proceeds to a different charity every six months.” I take a healthy sip of my drink. “Sierra’s partner just won a James Beard award for best restaurateur.”
Dad nods once and then starts talking wine with Lance. Mom interjects every now and then, but it’s mostly Dad and Lance talking.
“Mr. Winston?” The chef comes out. “If you and your family would like to have a seat at the table, dinner will be served.”
The patio is set with candles casting a soft glow on the table. Lance pulls out my chair, and I sit down. Once everyone is seated, the chef and her assistant bring out plates, placing them in front of us.
“Here’s a kale salad with golden raisins, tomatoes, parmesan cheese, roasted pistachios, and mustard vinaigrette,” she says as she places my plate in front of me.
“Thank you,” I reply.
Once we’re all served, she disappears inside. The conversation is non-existent while we all dig into our salads, and it’s surprisingly delicious. I was starving, so I finish the entire plate. The assistant clears my plate and gets me another drink.
When it’s time for the main course, they come out with four plates. “This is herb-crusted salmon, broccolini, and artichoke potato puree.”
“This looks delicious,” I tell Lance before digging into my salmon. “Oh my gosh, it’s so yummy.”
“Lainey, while you’re home, how about we introduce you to some eligible suiters? It’s time you got married. You’re almost thirty, and if you’re going to ever have children, you need to get started soon.” Mom stares at me from across the table.
I shake my head. “I’m not interested.”
“What do you mean you’re not interested? When you were younger, you told us all of the time you couldn’t wait to get married and have babies,” Mom says in between bites.
“I date, but it’s hard because I work weird hours.”
Dad chimes in. “Well, if you’d get a real job, you wouldn’t have to worry about that.”
“Dad,” Lance says, his voice low but laced with warning.
“It’s the truth. Lainey, you’re twenty-eight-years-old. It’s time to come home, get a real job, and then find a husband.”
I push back from the table and look at my brother. “This was a terrible idea.”
“I’m sorry,” he says quietly.
I grab my drink, tell my parents goodnight, and head into the house.
The chef stops me in the hall. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, sorry. Everything was wonderful,” I tell her. Her assistant takes my glass and tops it off. “Thank you.”
“We have chocolate mousse for dessert. I’ll set some aside for you,” she says, offering me a kind smile.
I nod. “Thanks.”
In my room, I sit on my bed, drinking down the rest of my vodka tonic. I grab my laptop off the nightstand and open it, logging in. Before I know what I’m doing, I’m googling Ranger. He lives in Calabasas, which isn’t very far from here.
Maybe I ought to go talk to him while liquid courage is running through my veins. I quickly order a Lyft and then go to the kitchen. I stop the chef. “I hate to ask, but can you let my brother know that I’m going out for a bit?”
Her smile is kind. “Sure, thing. Your mousse is in the refrigerator.”
“Thank you.” I hustle toward the front door. On my tiptoes, I run to the end of the driveway where my driver is waiting. As we head toward Calabasas, I honestly think about asking her to turn around, but I do have questions. I want answers—I deserve them.
Once we get to Ranger’s building, I thank the driver and get out. Fuck, this was stupid. I pull up my texting app and send Sierra a message.
Lainey: What am I doing?
The dots start bouncing.
Sierra: Ummm… ????
Lainey: I’m outside the building where the love of my life lives and about to go up and demand he tell me why he broke my heart.
My phone rings immediately. Sierra’s demanding answers. “Explain?”
“The Cliff Notes version is we met the first day of our freshman year. I wanted to marry him, and we were going to start a family. Then the summer after graduation, he broke my heart and shattered every part of the girl I used to be.” I take a deep breath. “Sorry.”
“Honey, was that one of the reasons why you went home? To get closure?”
I shake my head even though I know she can’t see me. “I had no idea that he was even in the area. He’s the PR rep helping Lance with the vineyard.”
“Holy shit, that’s crazy. It’s got to be a sign. Maybe you can finally get closure and move on because, honey, we know you don’t really date. Maybe this will help you open your heart.” Sierra is such a romantic, but who can blame her? She has Nick, who treats her like the queen she is.
“Yeah, maybe. I’ll give you an update tomorrow,” I tell her.
“Okay, honey. We love you.”
“Ditto, babe.” I disconnect and take a deep breath. The building has a buzzer, but luckily as I reach it, a man steps out, holding the door open for me. I thank him and step inside. The lobby is swanky, but I don’t take much time to look at it before taking the elevator to floor Ranger’s apartment is on.
Once I step off, my hands start trembling. This is the worst idea I’ve ever had. His door is down the hall, and I walk slowly toward it. What if he’s not alone? He could be married with kids for all I know. My stomach turns, and I rub a hand over it.
I take a deep breath, raise my hand, and knock. I look down at my dress and realize I should’ve changed before I came. I hear the lock disengage, and the door swings open.