Page 15 of California Love Songs
“So good to see you, Crystal,” Betsy said.
On hearing her name, Howie abandoned his bacon and came forward to give her one of his famous bear hugs. “You don’t come around nearly often enough,” he complained. “We miss you.”
“What can I do to help?” she asked.
Betsy put her to work slicing an avocado.
Erin was her usual laid-back self in indigo jeans and a black shirt. But it was Mila, in her pale blue sundress, who seemed to shine the brightest. She had always been striking—her sun-kissed skin, the way her long, wild hair cascaded in soft waves down her back, the effortless beauty that turned heads on the beach. But this morning, something was different. She was radiant, almost glowing, as though the sun had kissed her longer than the others and left something extra behind.
Crystal glanced across to Herschel and saw that he was looking a little nervous. He always dressed as though he might be called in to NASA at any moment, but today he looked even more carefully groomed in a button-down shirt and slacks, his moustache freshly trimmed.
What was going on?
Herschel cleared his throat. “Howard, could I speak with you a moment?” He cleared his throat again. “Privately?”
Howard chuckled. “It’s Howie to you, son, you know that.” He laughed again. “But don’t think that means I’m going to lend you any money.”
Herschel looked embarrassed. “That’s not?—”
Howie boomed with laughter. “I know, I know. I’m teasing you. Let’s go to my office, shall we?”
The two men left and Crystal glanced at Mila, getting an inkling of why there had been gentle pressure to make sure she’d come this morning. She smiled down at the avocado.
“Ah, there you are, slacker,” Nick said.
Crystal turned to see Damien enter the kitchen. She couldn’t help it—her heart began to beat double time. He spotted her immediately. “Hey, Crys,” he said, waving. “Glad you could make it.”
Crystal beamed. She wanted to put down her knife and hug him hello, but suddenly felt shy in front of his whole family. She waved instead, feeling like a dork.
“I heard you’re attempting to make us eat plant-based pancakes today,” Finn teased. “Is that why you’re late? Because you know we’re going to give you hell about it.” He laughed good-naturedly, though Crystal could tell he was semi-serious. No one else in the Davenport family could fathom why a person would willingly give up crispy bacon.
Damien ignored the dig and began work on his pancakes. Crystal felt like she should stick up for him—she’d eaten his healthy pancakes and they were surprisingly delicious once she added enough syrup. But today she didn’t want to draw any attention to herself. She had the feeling that something big was about to happen. Why else would she be invited to one of the family breakfasts?
With the avocado sliced and plated, Erin motioned for them to start laying the table. With careful, professional attention, Crystal arranged the plates, silverware, and glasses, ensuring everything was perfectly in place. She folded the napkins with care and set out the butter dish and jam jars just within reach. All small, simple acts, but they made her feel connected to the warmth of a family routine.
She was just admiring her handiwork with the napkins when Mila appeared beside them, breathless. Her eyes were glowing and she looked like an excited schoolgirl the night before a big performance.
Giving the girls a conspiratorial look, she whispered, “I can’t stand it. I have to tell someone.”
Erin’s eyes widened and in a teasing tone she asked, “Have you secured another multimillion-dollar property sale? Surely you couldn’t already have found another of my dream homes to sell to someone we know?”
Mila had sold Jay Malone the gorgeous mansion Erin had coveted for years. At the time, Erin and Jay had barely managed polite conversation with each other. Now Erin got to sleep over in her dream house any time she wanted. All thanks—inadvertently—to Mila.
Mila shook her head, her hair shimmying over her shoulders, her eyes filled with a fire and happiness Crystal had only seen in her competitive pro surfing days. “Hersch has gone to ask Dad for his permission to marry me.”
Erin couldn’t contain her excitement. She immediately pulled Mila into an enormous hug and said, “I can’t believe it. I’m so happy for you!”
“Shhh!” Mila admonished, laughing. “You’re going to give the secret away. Mom obviously knows, but I had to tell you two. I’m so excited I can’t stand it.”
“This is amazing,” Crystal said, her voice brimming with genuine happiness. She was also stunned that headstrong, willful Mila had given her heart to the quiet, serious Herschel Greenfield. But it felt right. “I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you both.”
“I wish I could see the look on Dad’s face right now,” Erin said. “His eldest daughter flying the nest.”
“That happened a long time ago.” Mila looked a little whimsical, no doubt thinking of those days touring the world as a pro surfer. Then she grinned again. “Hersch is so old-fashioned it makes me laugh. But he insisted on formally asking Dad for his permission. As if I wouldn’t marry him even if Dad hated him.”
“Dad loves him. We all do.” Erin hugged her again.
Then Crystal hugged her too, and Mila said, “I hope you’re going to plan my wedding, because I can’t do it.”
