Page 111 of Embracing the Change

We’d had this discussion more than once.

Felice could look down on my bourgeoisie ways. But in her rabid progressivism, she was not allowed to make Alyona feel uncomfortable about how she chose to earn a living.

Alyona shot an exasperated look at Felice.

“People work on Sundays, Felice, and I’m one of them,” Alyona said.

“Felice—” Nico began.

“Well, I can bring food in, and I can wash up too,” Felice stated stubbornly.

Alyona straightened from the tray. “Yes, but you won’t, because it’s my job, and that’s my kitchen, and unless I approve the caterers, no one does anything in it but me.”

With that, she huffed off.

Felice blushed.

I sipped my Perrier.

Nico came to sit on the arm of the sofa by his wife, murmuring, “I keep telling you?—”

“Whatever,” Felice snapped quietly.

When she felt my regard, Dru tore her surprised gaze from Felice, and I sent her a rueful smile.

She sent a reassuring one in return.

Jamie had such a lovely daughter.

Through our nonverbal exchange, Archie fell on the crabcakes.

The front door opened.

We all looked in that direction to see tall, dashing Darryn striding in.

But I tensed when I saw the homicidal expression on his face.

“It wasn’t my fucking idea,” he said instead of greeting any of us. “In fact, I was against it.”

Allegra hustled in after him, looking harassed.

“Mom—” she began.

“What’s going on?” I asked, sliding to the edge of the sofa.

“My son in town, and he doesn’t even tell me,” Roland said from the door to the living room.

I froze.

What on earth was he doing here?

“Dad! You promised to wait in the hall,” Allegra cried.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jamie stand, so I did too.

“He was loitering outside the building,” Darryn shared.

“I wasn’t loitering,” Roland snapped.

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