I delicately wipe my mouth with a linen napkin, trying not to mess up my lipstick any worse than it already is. “I still can’t believe she pulled this together in one day.”
“The combined might of Emma’s and Rachel’s staffs could probably achieve just about anything,” says Penny.
“But could they build Rome?” asks Aaron.
Penny laughs. “Nothing would surprise me. Nothing.”
River gives me a serene smile. “Alice, don’t turn around, but Catherine is sitting at the head table and has you in her sights.”
“Fuck’s sake,” mutters Ethan. He glances over his shoulder and nods at someone before turning back to me with a grim expression. “Might be best to avoid her.”
I nod. Nothing I hadn’t already planned on doing already.
“Emma publicly coming out on your side and choosing you to be bridesmaid is only going to have pissed her off even more,” says Penny.
“She needs to get a hobby.” I want the peanut butter and jelly gourmet donut, but my belly is full. This is a problem. Would it be wrong to wrap it up in a linen napkin and take it home?
“Playing the evil dowager queen and interfering in all of our lives is her hobby,” says Henry, appearing out of nowhere with a grilled cheese in one hand and a bottle of beer in the other. “Welcome to the family.”
I frown. “Thanks, I think.”
“That’s your last drink, Henry.” Ethan tips his chin at the beer. “Understood?”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“Grandma probably also thinks this celebration is happening too soon after Dad died,” says Ethan with a shrug. “I sympathize a bit there. But life goes on and Emma’s always been prone to spontaneity.”
“How’s school?” I ask Henry.
“It’s still there.”
“Nice to know you haven’t burnt it down yet.”
Beck sets a cocktail in front of me. “Your gimlet made with Downtown Gin, dearest. And please don’t give my younger brother any ideas.”
With a mouth full of food, Henry laughs. Gross. Not something I needed to see.
“Why thank you, kind sir.” I smile at Beck, taking a sip of the drink. Yummy.
“And I only had to fight off two mothers and one father with daughters of marriageable age to return to you hearty and whole.”
“Bravely done.”
“Speaking of supposed maternal figures, Mom rang yesterday,” says Henry, settling into a spare seat. “Wanted to tell me about the old bastard she’s doing and how much money he has and the castle she’s living in. Fuckin’ pathetic.”
Beck frowns. “Language. And don’t talk about your mother like that.”
“It’s the truth.”
“Let’s play nice just the same, okay?”
“People grieve in different ways and not everyone is capable of being alone,” says River wisely.
Henry just shakes his head. “So what room can I have at your place?”
“I think there’s a cupboard in the basement that’s available,” answers Beck.
I grin. “I was thinking he could have that space under the stairs.”
Henry rolls his eyes. “Ha-ha.”
“Any bedroom apart from the master is fine,” says Beck.
“Cool.” Henry bobs his head. “Did you really bring a feral cat home?”
“Princess isn’t feral.” With a hand to his chest, Beck actually appears affronted at the thought. “She’s just temperamental. You have to understand, she’s lived a difficult and tumultuous life. What she needs now is our love, support, and understanding.”
“Along with a rabies shot from what I’ve heard.”
“Henry,” I say warningly. “Be nice about the floof baby.”
Henry snorts.
A throat clears behind me and a familiar voice says, “Ethan, Beck, Henry, your grandmother would like a word with you all.”
Winston. Ugh. He’s as uptight and unhappy as usual in a somber gray suit.
“I’m currently occupied.” Beck meshes his fingers with mine. “But thank Grandma for the invitation.”
Ethan sighs. “C’mon, Henry. Let’s go and say hello. Leave the beer here.”
Henry grumbles, but goes.
“Wonder what that’s about,” says Aaron, relaxing back in his seat with an Old Fashioned. “Actually, nix that, I don’t want to know. Your family drama wears me out. In other news, I talked to that friend who might be a good match for the managerial position in Boulder.”
“Excellent.” Beck perks up. “Tell her to send her résumé over and I’ll give her a call.”
“Will do.”
Selah is here, but keeping her distance. Hooray for small mercies. However, I can’t help noticing the longing looks she’s still casting Beck’s way. Though I note there’s also more than a touch of anger in those glances these days. The girl needs to move on with her life. Whether she’s after closure or continuance, I doubt she’s going to get either from my boyfriend any time soon.
As for Catherine, it doesn’t feel good being at the center of all this drama. The cause of it even. But then it’s not as if I started things. If Beck doesn’t wish to talk to her, then that’s his choice. And I can’t really blame him. In days of yore, our elders were revered for their wisdom. Though when the elder in question is a real piece of work, it’s hard to summon up the necessary respect. Still, I don’t like him being on the outs with her. And for me being at least partly responsible for the situation.
“Are you sure you don’t want to go say hello to Catherine?” I ask him quietly.
“Granny owes you an apology before that’s going to happen.”
As if. “She’s already taken hits to her pride and her bank balance. I think that’ll do.”
He sips his whiskey, watching me over the rim of his glass. “While I realize an admission of guilt is unlikely, you need to understand that Grandma only really respects strength. If I roll over too soon, she’ll see it as a sign that she can keep messing with you. I’m not about to allow that to happen.”
“I’m a big girl, Beck. I can stand up for myself. And she is your family. She’s also old.”
“Old enough to know better.” He lifts my hand to his lips, kissing my knuckles. “You’re tenderhearted, brave, and ridiculously sexy, beloved. But even family need to respect boundaries. Let’s talk about something else.”
“Okay.” At least I tried. I’m not going to let her ruin our night. And what a night it turns out to be.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“How drunk are you?”
Back at home in our bedroom after midnight, Beck dips me. We’re slow dancing to Lana del Rey and there are so few perfect moments in life. But this is one of them. We managed not to make out in the back of the Bentley all the way home. Got to say, having Smith to drive us sure came in handy tonight. No one had to count their drinks or abstain altogether. However, convincing Beck to keep his hands out from under the long skirt of my dress on the drive back was an enjoyable effort. His sly smile and dark gaze affect my head and my hormones both.