Page 119 of Valentine Nook
He snatches it out of her reach. “Nope. It’s mine. Holiday gave it to me. You all heard her.”
“Milo, come on. Let me have a turn.”
“I have a BAFTA and a Golden Globe upstairs too, if either of those work.”
Clemmie’s eyes widen. “Ooh, Golden Globe.”
Laughing, I run back upstairs and retrieve the rest, then place them on the table. I watch everyone fight over who gets what first, and it’s so much fun. A familiarity about it reminds me of my own family—the bickering, the warmth, the love.
Not that Lando could move to America anyway because he has Burlington to run, but I can’t imagine him ever leaving his family. Even the idea of us meeting somewhere in the middle for a month at a time seems far-fetched as I sit here and zone out. I’m once again thinking about the list of options I mentallypulled together before Lando woke up this morning and strike half of them off.
“You’re so talented, Holiday. You really deserved these,” Clemmie says, holding the BAFTA mask up to her face.
“Thank you.” I smile at her, but it’s fake. I want to cry.
“I agree. New York was a masterpiece.” Lando takes my hand and brings it to his lips. “And you were pivotal.”
My head spins around. “You watched it?”
He grins from ear to ear. He’s as proud of himself as I was when we finished cooking lunch. “I’ve watched everything you’ve done. Took me a month, but I watched them all.”
My mouth drops. I’m speechless. I have no words. They’re all gone. He’s never once mentioned it. Not even a hint.
“My favorite is the one where you’re dating that guy from Boston, but you love rival baseball teams.” Clemmie giggles. “Best romcom ever.”
“Nope.” Lando shakes his head. “Hated that one. I like New York.”
“Only because there’s no kissing in it,” Miles shoots out, before adding, “It wasn’t my favorite.”
“What’s your next project?” Alex asks, filling everyone’s glasses.
No one notices how much he’s pouring because all eyes are on me for my answer. Even Clemmie’s, and she already knows everything.
“Um . . . well, I recently signed a beauty campaign that begins in the new year. I don’t know where the first shoot is yet, though. But acting-wise, there are no movies right now. I want to try my hand at theater, so my agent is looking for something suitable.”
Ihopeshe is. She messaged me to say something potential had come to her and she’d let me know once she had more information, but that was over a week ago.
Under the table, Lando squeezes my hand.
“Well, count us in for the first night.” Alex smiles, though he’s looking at Lando.
“And in other news,” Miles says with a grin so wide his dimples disappear into crevices, “did you hear Al’s been on a shopping spree? He’s bought Haven’s place.”
From Clemmie’s gasp, I can tell this is new news to her. It’s new news to me too, but I’m not quite as invested in the story. Everyone’s heads turn to Alex, whose smile has turned to a glare directed at Lando.
“I didn’t say a word,” he protests with his hands held high. “I swear.”
Alex runs his fingers along the edge of his wineglass and lets out a resigned sigh. “Whatever, I don't care.”
“I support it. That place will make a great yard. Get some winter polo in over there.”
“We're not turning it into a yard. And I didn't buy it for the company. I bought it privately, for me. Or will have once the paperwork goes through.”
Hendricks lets out a low whistle down at the other end of the table. “Have you heard from Haven? Does she know you’re buying it?”
Alex shakes his head. “Nope. And can we please change the subject?”
“Sure thing.” Miles turns his attention to his nephew. “Maxy, what do you want to talk about?”
