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Scratching her knee, River talked fast. “That’s why this property was perfect. It’s so large that we won’t be disturbing anyone. I know it’s a big jump from the life I used to live in London, but Noah and I have talked a lot about life quality, and for both of us it’s about doing something we’re passionate about that will make us get up in the morning with a smile on our faces. We don’t need private jets or helicopters in the front of our house to be happy.”
“What about your YouTube channel?”
“I’m still taking a break, but I’m thinking about shifting the focus of the channel from fashion to art. Either way, the gallery is my baby right now, so the channel comes somewhere down the list after Noah and our projects.”
“But people still recognize you in public, don’t they?”
“Yes, but I’m okay with that. The articles from my wedding with Noah made it all flare up again, but luckily, he was presented as a policeman from Norway who I met on a vacation. No one knows about his money and we prefer for it to stay that way.”
“Got it.”
Noah and Fleur pulled up next to us and we all walked into the old house, where River headed straight for the kitchen.
“I already baked a pie this morning. I just need to warm it up and toss the salad together.”
Noah threw his car keys in a ceramic bowl by the entrance and went to fish out a bottle of white wine from the fridge. “Let me get you something to drink.”
Fleur smiled. “Could I have something non-alcoholic, please?”
Her words made a tingle spread from the top of my spine and all the way down to my toes because they reminded me that there was a chance that Fleur was pregnant.
“Let me fix us a lovely fresh summer drink then.” River opened the fridge and pulled out strawberries, Ribena, and Perrier. After mixing the sweet blueberry syrup with sparkling water and adding a slice of lemon and cut-up strawberries, she handed Fleur the large glass. “There, see if you like it.”
Fleur took a small sip and gave a nod of approval. “Very tasty.”
“Hang on.” River put her glass down and reached for Fleur’s hand. “What is this?” Her eyes flew from the ring on Fleur’s finger to our eyes.
“What do you think?” I was grinning from ear to ear.
“You gotengaged?” River shrieked.
“Yes,” Fleur confirmed it and was swallowed up in a large hug by River, who lifted her from the ground.
“That’s amazing! When did it happen?”
I took another sip of the delicious cool wine. “Three days ago.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? Who else knows?”
“Fleur’s parents know that we’re engaged, and Jolene because she was visiting while I proposed, so even though she wasn’t in the room, we told her the next day. Atlas knows too because we didn’t feel it was fair to ask Jolene to keep it a secret. But that’s about it. We wanted to tell you two in person.”
“Congratulations!” Noah’s entire face was split in a broad grin making the edges of his eyes crinkle and his teeth show. “Do you have a date for the wedding yet?”
“No. We were thinking of something casual at the end of August maybe.”
“This month?” River stared at us. “You can’t plan a wedding in weeks.”
“Why not? If it’s just the ceremony and dinner with the closest family and friends, then it shouldn’t be too hard.”
“You’re not having a real wedding?” River’s face fell.
I laughed. “Fleur is more comfortable keeping it small and no one can outdo your wedding anyway. We want to do it before Atlas and Jolene go back to Chicago.”
“Wow, that doesn’t leave us long to find the perfect dress for you.” River bit the inside of her cheek and looked up and down Fleur. “Do you have any idea what you’re looking for?”
“Not really, but I saw that there’s a place where you can rent beautiful dresses and I’m planning to see if they have something in my size.”
“Did you sayrent?”
