“Hardly. But you’ve turned down the offer enough times that I’ve given up,” I say.
She narrows her eyes at me, but when I shrug, I think she takes me at my word. “I need a refresh of my hot cider. Let’s get some for you too.”
I follow her across the living room to the bar. I’m careful not to look over to the long stainless steel kitchen counter in the back to check on whether Iris is still making cookies with Ernest. Rowena would spot my interest in a second.
We each pour cider into a mug.
“I saw Melody at the Gala the other night.” Rowena pauses, as if she’s confirming I’m okay hearing about Melody.And I am. Apparently. Even Rowena seems to sense this.
Am I finally over Melody?
And I need to stop saying that I’m committed to remaining single. Iris literally winced when I was about to say it again—until she stopped me. When Melody first ended our relationship, I meant it, but over time, it’s become more a reflex than something I really mean.
Rowena says, “Melody looked good. She does like that life.”
“What life?” I ask.
“The life of attending New York City galas.”
I shake my head. “Melody’s not like that. She’s from a small town, and she always said those parties intimidate her.”
“Shewasn’tlike that. She likes them now. She was holding court among several women. She definitely knows how to maneuver in that crowd now.” Rowena’s tone is decisive. “She’s changed. A lot.”
“She has to—to help her fiancé,” I say. We move to stand at the full-length windows that look out over the rooftops of the Upper West Side, round water tanks dotting the landscape. It’s definitely a different view up here.
“Well, yes. But she also chose that fiancé.”
“I think she fell in love with him. I’m not sure it was a fully rational choice.”
Rowena grins at me. “You’re a romantic too—like Rupert. But I wish you would stop wasting your time pining for her. I was actually hoping that maybe youhadfound someone earlier.”
“You never liked Melody,” I say.
“Not particularly. That’s true.” Rowena shrugs. “But I also think she realized you were not going to follow in your father’s footsteps, and that’s why she dumped you for Wim—not because of you personally. She still has this warm tone when she speaks of you.”
“You did tell me to take her camping when we first dated.”
“You should have.” Rowena shakes her finger at me.
“Melody definitely did not want to go camping,” I say. “Anyway, at least she didn’t dump me for my best friend.” That was high school—and brutal back then.
“You’ve really made some terrible love life choices,” Rowena says.
“Thanks,” I say.
“Maybe you should use Grandpa’s help. He and Mr. Devi keep trying to set me up.”
“Doesn’t sound like they have a great track record. Plus, my mom is already on this full-time.”
I can’t help looking over at Iris.Could Ernest stand any closer?
Chapter eleven
Iris
IfeelnothingwhenErnest stands close to me. None of the shivers or the racing heart like when Sebastian stands near me. I sigh. Stupid hormones. They have terrible taste in men. Pretty boys, as Liam would say. They seem to only ignite with the spark of attractive men who appeal to many women.
Like the woman Sebastian is standing very close to right now. He looks relaxed and comfortable with her. He said they were good friends.