Page 107 of The Flirt

Zachary and I exchanged a glance. We hadn’t even thought about that, but they wouldn’t.

"Perfect," Anthony said. "We'll find a day to go out and try it. Maybe next week."

I glanced at the grandmothers, who usually sided with their husbands, but Celine looked extremely relieved.

"It wouldn't be bad for you to have a more comfortable boat," Isabeau said. "You two spend a lot of time out there."

"We’re fine in ours," David said.

Celine put a hand over his. "When Isabeau and I bought furniture for the store, you boys insisted on us only buying the most comfortable chairs. It's time you took your own advice."

Felix grunted but didn't fight anymore. He rarely fought with Grandmother.

"I suppose we can try it out next Saturday," he said.

Zachary and Anthony exchanged a triumphant glance. We'd actually done it.

Scarlett leaned in to me and whispered, "This is mesmerizing to watch. I'm so proud of you guys."

"But I'm telling you one thing," David said, determined to have the last word as usual. No one tried to contradict him. "If I don't like it, it goes back or we sell it, end of discussion."

"You can revisit that after you’re on the boat," Zachary said.

His voice was completely neutral and even. I respected my brother for always being calm. He didn't often partake in negotiations, but if he did, he’d be better than Julian and me put together.

"All right," Celine said. "So what have you two been up to this week?"

I glanced at Bella. She was still at the far end of the room, talking to Xander, who hadn't said one word, but then again, my daughter demanded his full attention.

"Celine, don't be intrusive," Isabeau chastised, which made me laugh because I knew she wanted to ask the same question.

"I just have one question. I promise not to ask anything else," Celine said. Isabeau gave her a warning look, but I could see her shift a bit at the edge of her seat, staring at us intently. "Are you two in a relationship?"

I hadn't expected Celine to be so direct. By the gasp that went around us, I realized no one else had either. Even Zachary's eyes bulged.

I cleared my throat and put my hand on Scarlett's shoulders. "Scarlett and I are together."

"Yes," Celine exclaimed. "That's all I wanted to know. No more details required. Except maybe—”

"Mom." That came from my mother. "Let's give it a rest, okay?" She looked at us with a huge smile. "For what it's worth, we're very happy to have you here, Scarlett. I truly hope our shenanigans won't scare you away. I think we're all a bit extra excited tonight because we've been away for so long."

"Darling, don't try to sugarcoat the truth," Dad said. He kissed Mom's hand but kept his eyes on Scarlett and me. "We're always like this."

Scarlett beamed. "I'm happy to be here tonight. And don't worry, I'm not at all scared."

“Attagirl.” Isabeau beamed. “Then again, we already knew you were fierce.”

“How so?” Scarlett asked.

Isabeau shrugged. “The notes in your perfume reveal a lot.”

“What notes were those exactly?” Mom asked, and then her eyes went wide. “You included lilac, didn’t you?”

“Of course, dear. We’re not amateurs,” Celine said.

Mom and the grandmothers launched into a debate about the famous lilac right up until the doorbell rang.

"That will be the jambalaya," Mom said.

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