Page 35 of Terms + Conditions
“Miss Cain.” He nods toward her.
Elizabeth is trying not to show her nerve, but it’s hard not to. I gently squeeze her hip, and she stands a little taller. “Mr. Cawthorn.”
“How is SCAD treating you?”
“It’s been wonderful.”
Harvey offers her a genuine smile. “I’m happy to hear that. You’ve always been very talented with a camera in your hands. I look forward to seeing your work.”
Elizabeth’s eyes well, genuine appreciation in her smile. “Thank you, Harvey. That means a lot.”
“And I hear you’re doing well at QC.” He turns back to me.
“Yes, sir. I was offered a full-time position a few months ago.”
“Good man.” Harvey looks around the room like he’s making sure no one is paying particular attention to our conversation. “Look, kids.” He sighs. “I don’t know what happened last year, and probably don’t want to…Surprisingly, William has kept mum on the whole thing.”
Thatissurprising.
“But, on the record, let’s keep the drama to a minimum, okay? Mrs. Cawthorn likes these things to go off without a hitch. When she’s happy, I’m happy. Right? And your little incident caused quite the stir in her circle.”
Despite there being less than a handful of guests outside last year, one person is enough to get the rumor mill churning.
“And off the record?” Finn asks.
Harvey smirks at him. “Off the record, I’m glad to see you two finally pulled your heads out of your asses.”
What the hell is that supposed to mean?
Michaela and Finn share a laugh before covering it with a cough when we look back at them.
“Have a good time, kids.” Harvey winks at us before he’s pulled away into another conversation.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Elizabeth hisses.
“They’re so dense,” my sister whispers to Finn.
“Look who’s talking, Shortcake,” he retorts. My sister huffs in reply before stalking off, only for him to follow, further annoying her.
CHAPTER TWENTY
NOW
BREAKFAST AT TEDDY’S ON the first morning in town has become a tradition since the girls discovered the diner during their second year here. The restaurant sits on the end of the main drag in Palm Valley, a block away from the water. The inside looks like a vintage diner, with red faux leather booths and yellow lights included. The exterior is reminiscent of a train car—long, rectangular—with blue paint and stainless steel siding. Large picture windows give you a glimpse of the inside. A large sign above the door readsTeddy’s Diner. Typically, we’d walk along the beach until we reach the access point running along the side of the restaurant, but the new house is too far, and it’s too cold to even consider it.
“Is he always so friendly?” Elijah motions toward Noah, who lags a few steps behind on his phone. Selena and Lola have gone ahead inside to look for Elizabeth and Georgie.
“He’s usually more talkative, but it’s kind of nice without his constant yammering about stocks and bonds,” I say, earning a chuckle from Elijah and Jeremy.
Noah is a decent guy, but when I say he loves to talk about his job, helovesto talk about his job. He followed in his dad’s footsteps, getting involved in the finance world, and last I heard,he was promoted to director of private equity at his firm. I still don’t know what that means; I just know he’s good with money and makes a lot of it.
Walking into the restaurant, I hold the door, but Noah motions for me to go ahead and answers a phone call. Selena waves us over to the middle of the restaurant, where they’ve secured a long table. The spot left open for me is at the end of the table, next to Elizabeth. The only other empty spot sits across from me, next to Georgie, like an elephant in the room. The waitress—BETTY,her name tag reads—appears with a tray full of drinks, including a black coffee with two sugars for me. A smile tugs on the corner of my lips when she sets it in front of me. I turn to offer my wife a smile of thanks, but she’s too engrossed in the conversation with Selena. Instead, I rest my arm on the back of her chair and squeeze her shoulder gently. And it seems as if, on instinct, she reaches over and rests her hand on my thigh under the table.
Georgie’s nose has been in her phone since we sat down. Odd. Usually, she’s yelling at everyone else to stay off their phone. She types furiously before letting out a huff and tossing her phone back into her purse. Her fingers, painted Christmas red, play with the tag of her tea bag—that’s also odd. Sheneverdrinks tea; she’s a huge coffee snob. First, water with dinner, now tea at breakfast…What’s going on?
“Hey, Lola,” I ask, catching her attention on the other side of Jeremy. “Do you want to trade places? I’m sure you guys want to have some girl talk.” She doesn’t think twice, jumping up from her seat to take mine, putting me now between Elizabeth and Jeremy, across from Elijah.
“Is it always this…tense?” Jeremy asks when the girls return to their hushed conversation, even Georgie seems to have joined in again.
