Page 45 of My Silver Lining

“It’s called fashion. This top and these boots are Laredo, and both were actually designed by my mother,” I said, before flashing my wrist that was covered in gold bangles. “And these are mine. So we’ve got all sorts of family representation here.”

“And you certainly wear them well, darling,” my mother said as she took me in. She strode over in a cream cashmere maxi dress and heels.

“If that’s the case, I think it would be best if we spoke with Lulu first—you know, just ask a few quick questions before we shift to politics,” Ray Coffee said. He was one of the hosts of theWeekday Morning Showand a man who graced most people’s televisions every single day while they had their first cup of coffee.

“Of course,” my mother said. “She’d be happy to answer a few questions. You know her line just got picked up by Luxe, the largest retailer in Paris.”

Charlotte’s hands fisted at her sides, and I saw the veins on her neck pulse. “This interview is not for my cousin.”

Ray turned slowly, his mouth in a straight line. “I was very clear with you, Mrs. Wellington, that the only way we were going to do this story about Hunter was if we included your father and the rest of the family.”

“That would be Mrs.Sonnet-Wellington,” Charlotte hissed. “This isn’t a story about jewelry and lace bodysuits. My husband is making a difference in the world.”

“I happen to be a big fan of lace bodysuits,” Rafe said, and my head fell back in laughter. Talk about a gift for breaking up the tension.

“And you are?” Ray asked, extending a hand.

“I’m Rafe Chadwick. The lucky guy who gets to date this woman.” Rafe wrapped his arms around me, and my heart raced. We needed to be careful because we didn’t need that mentioned in the story.

“I heard you were dating someone new.” Ray leaned closer to us. “I’m happy to hear that, Lulu.”

I’d met Ray a few times at parties and events that my mother had been hosting.

“You’re not the only one, Ray,” Rafe said with a chuckle.

Ray looked completely enamored, and Charlotte was busy ordering everyone around for the photo shoot.

“Why don’t you go grab some breakfast, and I’ll take the family photo real fast, and then you and I can sneak out on the boat?” I shot Rafe a warning because Ray would start asking him questions if he seemed open to it.

“Nonsense,” my mother said. “We all want Rafe in the family photo.”

“What?” Charlotte gasped. “They aren’t married. We don’t allow non-family members in the family portraits.”

“They aren’t marriedyet,” Francois said, walking into the room holding a champagne flute. “I feel comfortable having him in the photo.”

“You aren’t even in the photo. In fact, I don’t know why you’re here,” Charlotte snipped, and Hunter placed a hand on her shoulder to try to calm her down.

“He’s here because my wife wants him here. And that’s all we need to know,” my father said.

“Listen, I can take photos with and without Lulu’s boyfriend, and you can decide which you would like to hang in the library,” Delilah said. She was a world-renowned photographer and the daughter of some famous French actor, and my Aunt Louisa had insisted she take our family photos for the last decade.

“I’d like Rafe in the photos,” Gramps said, eyes hard. “It’s my birthday photo, and I have the last word. Let’s get this and the interview done so we can enjoy the day before everyone heads home.”

“This is ridiculous.” Charlotte stormed over to me and whispered in my ear, “You always ruin everything.”

Why did I care what she thought?

She was a miserable human being. She treated people terribly. I’ve known her my whole life, and she’s always gone out of her way to be cruel to me.

We all took our positions around the hunter-green velvet sofa in the library. It was Gramps’ favorite room in the house.

Charlotte and Hunter were sitting in the center of the couch, where the grandchildren always sat, and the aunts, uncles, and grandparents stood in the back. Jasper, Serena, and Meredith were on one side, and I moved to sit on the other side, tugging Rafe along with me, but Delilah didn’t like the layout.

“I’d like Lulu and Rafe right here in the center. It doesn’t look balanced this way. Charlotte and Hunter, you move down to the end, please,” the photographer said.

No. She. Didn’t.

Serena and Meredith chuckled, and I tried not to look at Charlotte, who was not making any attempt to tone down her anger.

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