Page 11 of Blurred Lines

Verona, ever the paragon of subtlety, has chosen an outfit that screams "cocktail party" more than "solemn goodbye." Her neckline plunges with reckless abandon, inviting far too much attention. Alec stands beside her, looking every bit the reluctant participant in his somber suit, his expression bored.

"Verona, you look …" Flora pauses, searching for a word that won't start World War III, "optimistic for today's proceedings."

Verona tosses her hair, clearly mistaking the funeral for a fashion show. "One must always look their best, dear. You never know who you might meet."

Alec snickers, and I can't help but think, Yeah, maybe the Grim Reaper, if we're lucky.

The funeral is set near the vineyards, a sprawling estate of grape-filled trees that have been in our family for generations. Plump, deep purple grapes gleam like jewels in the sunlight.

It's a crisp, clear day, the air filled with the sweet tang of grapes and the solemnity of the occasion.

As we gather around the grave, the priest's voice fills the air, deep and sonorous, weaving through the rows of grapevines. His words are meant to comfort, but as I watch my father's coffin being lowered into the earth, a tidal wave of sadness crashes over me. It's a strange sensation, mourning a man who was more an idea than a presence in my life.

Flora wraps an arm around my shoulders, her grip tight. I lean into her, grateful for her strength. "At least Dad's in a place he loved," she whispers, her voice laced with a humor that's as dry as the earth we stand on.

"Yeah," I reply, choking back a sob. "Surrounded by his beloved grapes."

As the ceremony concludes and people begin to disperse, I take a look at the people who have gathered to wish my father goodbye. There's his lawyer, a few friends from his past, and … wait, what?

Caeleb.

He's staring at me too.

Don't come over, I immediately think, as he begins doing just the opposite. He approaches me, a slow smile forming on his lips as he registers my presence.

"If it isn't Emily Martin," he says, extending a large hand toward me.

I swallow the lump in the back of my throat and ignore Flora, who's giving me a very curious stare at the moment. "Hi, Caeleb. Fancy seeing you here, at my dad's funeral."

Caeleb's brows furrow. In the meantime, two other men approach. Both of them are just as handsome, and together, they pretty much form the life of this ludicrous assembly.

"I—I didn't realize you were Harvey's daughter. Emily, we're his best friends. This is Silas, and this is Finn."

Ah. Now I remember.

Conversations between these three and Dad from years ago flood back into my ears. I was too young to register their faces or remember them, but now that I do, heat rises to my cheeks.

"I—"

There's a hasty cough behind me.

What now?

I turn, prepared to give the offender a piece of my mind. But instead, Dad's lawyer and our old family friend, Uncle Clevens, offers me an apologetic, albeit owlish gaze. "I'm sorry to interrupt, child, but we have to go read your father's will."

Right. I'd forgotten about that.

To my surprise, he signals to the men as well. "You lot are coming too, right?"

They nod simultaneously.

"Okay then," I say. I clearly have no idea what's going on, but this will hopefully be a short affair because Dad wouldn't have left me anything. Once it's over, I can talk to Caeleb and find out more about, well … this.

Flora falls into step with me as we head toward the mansion's parlor, where the will reading is to occur. "Who are they?" she asks me curiously, nodding at the men walking in front of us.

"Dad's best friends," I mutter evasively.

"And who's that?" she points a finger at Caeleb. "And why did he look like he's totally got the hots for you?"

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