Page 60 of Valentine Nook
As much as we might all complain about this compulsory mealtime and the curtails it placed on our sacred Friday nights growing up, we all love it. It’s one tradition I hope we keep forever.
And we usually take the same seats, but tonight, Holiday is sitting in my spot, so as Miles is yet to grace us with his presence, I take his. Because it’s opposite her.
Food is being placed down, though not fast enough for Max, who’s grabbing pieces of chicken, half of which Hendricks promptly removes to put on his own plate, along with sliced steak and shelled prawns. Summer salads made with leaves and vegetables from the Burlington gardens and freshly baked bread come next.
While everyone’s preoccupied with piling their plates, I pick up a bottle of wine and gesture to Holiday.
In response, she pushes her glass across to me. “Why, thank you, Gracie.”
I’m so focused on smiling back at her that I fill her glass almost to the brim.
It’s only been two days since I’ve seen her, but it feels like longer.
In those two days, I’ve found my mind drifting to her more often than it should have. Where she could be, what she might be doing, how her baking is going. Once I found myself on the way to the kitchen, hoping to see her, only to turn around again.
It’s noisy enough that the two of us can have our own conversation without being overheard.
There’s a strand of hair that’s come loose from the clip, and I want to reach over and fix it. But instead, I ask, “How’s your week been?”
“Goat aside, it’s been good. I’ve been reading through the terms for this contract?—”
“The one you were most clearly worthy of receiving? And celebrated with coffee and a donut?”
Her lashes flutter down, giving me the impression she’s embarrassed or uncomfortable like she can’t take the compliment. Or perhaps she doesn’t know how to take the compliment fromme.
“Yeah, that one. My agent’s coming over next week to discuss terms.”
“Ah. Always important to discuss terms. Are you happy with it?”
She nods. “I think so. It’s a good offer. I’ve never had one quite so large before. I usually take a smaller fee and larger profit share, but it hasn’t always paid off.”
“Who manages your money?”
She tilts her head. “My dad. He worked in finance, and now he just manages Tanner and me.”
“Your brother?”
“Yes, he earns ten times what I do. It keeps my dad busy.”
I’m about to tell her I’d be happy to look over it for her when my youngest brother’s arrival shatters the peace.
“I see you all started without me. How was the tennis?” Miles leans down to kiss our mother’s cheek and as he does so spies the Hermes bag to the side. “Managed to fit in a spot of shopping too.”
“A gift from Holiday, actually.” She beams with a smile usually reserved for Miles, only now it’s directed at Holiday.
Pulling out the chair next to mine, Miles bends close enough to whisper, “Hermes.Oh,Your Grace, Holiday isgood.”
“Nice of you to join us,” I drawl, the only response I’ll give him even though he has a point.
Gifts aside, Holiday’s so charming and effusive that it’s easy to see why she’s so popular.
Winning over the Duchess of Oxfordshire is not for the fainthearted, but she seems to have managed it with little effort.
The calm of the table prior to Miles’s arrival vanishes.
“How’s my new neighbor doing?” He winks at Holiday as he piles his plate up with more than he can fit on it, earning himself a frown from our mother. “Fitting into the village nicely? When are you coming over for a cup of tea?”
Opposite him, Alex rolls his eyes.
