Page 134 of Billion Dollar Dispute

Jemima

A month later

“We need to make sure the table is set before everyone arrives,” Harvey says, fussing with the tableware. I swallow a laugh; I’ve never seen him so wired.

“Where do you want the cake, Chad?” he asks, and Chad helps him. The two of them together turn me into a puddle. Harvey lowers the cake to the podium in the corner, then grabs Chad's shoulders and squats down to his level. “Are you okay? Is there anything else you want for your party?”

His words and actions are killing me. I’m frozen in place, just wanting to watch this exchange forever. When Harvey babysat Chad while I was away, they grew closer. Chad couldn’t stop talking about all the awesome things Harvey can do, and then Harvey would tell me how amazing Chad was.

“No, but when are people coming?” Chad asks.

Harvey grins and checks his watch. “Any minute.”

“Cool.” Chad wanders over to me, and Harvey straightens up, adjusting his shirt with a soft smile. “Mom, everyone will be here soon,” Chad says.

“I know.” I smile. “I’m so excited.”

“It’s my first party,” he says, before greeting a school friend. Harvey slips beside me, his pinky grazing the back of my hand.

“You, okay?” he asks.

“I will be,” I reply.

“Stop stressing.”

“I could say the same thing about you.” We laugh together, both of us wanting Chad to have the best day. But we know it's a big day for us too. Harvey met my mom, and I’m about to meet his whole family.

My mom is already here helping set up. Jade and Pedro and Butch’s parents declined to come to the party, instead choosing to meet on another date.

I think I have it worse, though, because there's so many people I have to meet, while he only has to meet one. He tells me they’ll love me, but I’m older than him and have a kid. It's a lot to take in.

As I welcome the parents of Chad’s school friends, I say hello to an older familiar guy with dark hair and an unreadable face. He’s holding the hand of a pretty, tall brunette.

“Hi,” I greet them.

“This is my older brother Evan and his fiancée Chelsea,” Harvey cuts in. I’m relieved by his presence because I didn’t see them enter with a child, so I knew they weren’t school friends.

“I’ve heard about you. You own a studio?” I ramble, instantly regretting it. Why am I so weird right now? My composed self is completely gone, replaced by a nervous wreck.

She reveals a dazzling smile. “I do. I’m Chelsea, it’s lovely to meet you….”

“Jemima. Sorry, bad host,” I say, holding out my hand.

Chelsea slips her hand into mine and shakes it gently. “Not at all. And Harvey mentioned my yoga classes to you?”

“Yeah, I hate running, so I didn’t want high impact. He suggested trying out your studio.”

“Definitely come down. I’ll give you free trials, in case it’s not for you,” she beams, her face lighting up.

“Thank you,” I say, smiling back.

“Oh, hello, hello,” another familiar deep voice calls out. He has dark hair and a light beard. It’s another brother.

“Hi, come in,” I greet.

Evan and Chelsea make room for them, and Chelsea says hi to the other woman.

“This is my brother Jeremy and his fiancée Nova,” Harvey introduces.

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