“Yes.” Her answer is short.
It’s evident he’s a topic she’d rather not discuss. It’s been obvious to everyone that the two of them have a peculiar, if not strained, relationship. They don’t try to falsify their lack of affections for each other. I don’t think I’ve seen them alone together since Julia arrived Friday morning. Damon still sleeps in the pool house while his wife stays in a guest room upstairs.
Olivia has gone out of her way to make Julia feel welcome, inviting her to do everything with her, including sitting on the patio to read. I cannot imagine being in a loveless marriage. And with a baby on the way.
It’s terribly sad.
“Faye,” Olivia gasps when I present her with the charcuterie board, “that’s stunning. I don’t think I’ll be able to eat it; it’s so lovely.”
I glow with pride, soaking in her approval like I’m basking in the sun. “Thank you.” She opens the refrigerator for me, so I can slide it on the empty shelf reserved for the large slate. “Is there anything else you’d like me to do?”
“There’s a stack of blankets on the patio. Would you mind asking Kaden to help spread them out? I was thinking we could connect them in one long line looking out toward the ocean. Wherever is the flattest area.”
“Sure,” I reply.
When I pass by Julia, she still refuses to look at me. I feel bad for her, but I’m not about to crumble their marriage by confirming what she instinctively knows to be true about his infidelities. And according to Damon, he does not flaunt but will never deny if she asks—which she never has.
It’s horrid that he’s given up on a marriage without inserting any effort. I don’t pretend to condone his choices, no matter how he’s tried to explain the natural tendencies of the male species. It’s deplorable. And I’m thankful Kaden is absolutely nothing like Damon Thorne. They’re as dissimilar as Maggie and me.
“Perfect timing,” Kaden calls to me when I step out into the heated summer air. Even the breeze off the water feels like a warm breath on my face. “Can you hold up these poles so I can secure the lines? Someone”—Kaden pointedly eyes Parker, who just sits on the grass giggling—“is too busy catching grasshoppers to do his job.”
“Grasshoppers are my job,” Parker argues, still laughing as one tickles his cupped palms. “If I don’t catch them, they’ll hop away.”
I smile at an answer only a four-year-old can give. “Then will you help me spread out the blankets after?” I ask Kaden, who gives me a quick kiss when I take hold of the pole for the badminton net.
“Anything you need,” he replies, kissing me again, lingering a little longer.
Parker’s laughter breaks us apart, reminding us we have a young audience.
“Are you guys going to get married?” he asks.
“Yes,” Kaden answers without hesitating, making my heart flutter in my chest. “And you can carry the rings down the aisle.”
“How old will I be?”
“Older,” I tell him, still absorbing that this is real. This life. This love. This boy. It feels like a dream I’ve been wishing for my entire life. When Kaden flashes me his beautiful smile, I mouth, I love you.
And the smile takes over his entire body, as if he’s exuding joy.
Maggie arrives soon after the group returns from their sail. She’s dressed in a cute, strapless floral top with a pair of red shorts. Her hair is tamed for the first time ever. And she’s wearing a pair of vintage cat-eye sunglasses that make her look like she could be Audrey Hepburn’s sister.
“I have to talk to you,” she says to me, glancing around nervously. Despite needing privacy, her mouth keeps fighting a smile, and she’s fidgeting with excitement.
“Okay,” I say, knowing Parker is upstairs and the food is ready to be laid out once everyone has finished changing. I’ve transitioned into a pink-and-green halter sundress that screams summer and also flatters my not-so-curvy body with its A-line silhouette.
I lead Maggie to the beach, knowing we’ll be well out of earshot by the water.
As soon as we reach the bottom step and our feet hit the sand, Maggie blurts, “I’m pregnant.”
My mouth opens, but nothing comes out. She’s practically jumping with elation, and I feel like I should be happy if she’s happy, but I’m … confused.
“That’s … good,” I say without conviction.
Maggie slides her glasses back to rest on top of her head and rolls her eyes. “I know what you’re thinking, and yes, I know who the father is. It’s the guy I met earlier this summer. The one I’ve been sneaking around with all weekend. And he’s going to be so excited, trust me.”
“What’s his name?” I ask, suspicious of the lack of information she’s provided about this guy ever since she met him—other than their torrid love affair.
“I can’t tell you just yet,” she says, biting her lip.
“Why?” I demand warily.
“Don’t judge me. It’s not what you think.”
“He has a girlfriend,” I conclude easily, my heart sinking.
“They’re over. They have been for a long time. It’s … complicated. But he’s ending it; he promised. They almost never see each other. And she isn’t any fun at all. Besides, he’ll definitely choose me now that I’m having his baby. He and I will have the most amazing life together.”
“When are you going to tell him? What about traveling? Have you told your mother?” I ask in a rush, all of my concerns flooding out of my mouth.
“You’re the first person I’ve told,” she confesses. “I was bursting to tell someone, and I know you can keep a secret. Also … I wanted you to hear it from me first … before I tell him. I need you to understand that we’re in love, so you’ll forgive me.”
“Forgive you?” I ask, my chest tightening. “Why? What have you done?”
“I just mean … I know how much you believe in love, and, well … with him being in a relationship, I thought you might not get it. But I do love him, so much.”
“And he feels the same?” I ask, still not understanding why she’d be worried about my judgment, to the point of asking forgiveness.
“Of … of course,” she answers, stumbling over her words.
I’m doubting he’s ever said it to her, but I’m not going to make her admit that. I’m scared for her. For her future and that of her baby. I’m not convinced he’s going to choose her when she tells him.
“And his family has a house in Europe somewhere, so I’ll move there. I’ll still get to travel. They’re loaded. We can hire someone to help with the baby. It’s going to be so amazing!” She twirls with glee. I force a smile, but she notices my apprehension. “Don’t worry, Faye. My life is going to be perfect!”
“I’m happy for you,” I say, opening my arms to hug her. When she steps into them, I embrace her tightly with my eyes squeezed shut, silently hoping that I can forgive her when she breaks my heart. Because I have a feeling I won’t want to know who the father is when she finally tells me. Some things you can’t unknow.