Page 78 of Terms + Conditions
“For Dad and Uncle Jim, can youpleasenot start any shit today?” I ask, earning an offended glance from her. On cue, two more cars pull into the driveway, parking behind Finn’s Cadillac. The birthday boys have finally arrived. “Just behave for one day. That’s all I ask,” I beg before turning to greet them.
“The party has arrived!” Dad says, stepping out of the car. He rushes to the passenger side to open the door and help Mom step out—it’s a small gesture, but something he has always done for her. Growing up, I told myself I wanted to do the same formy wife one day, but Elizabeth doesn’t always like to let me, especially when we’re in the middle of a tiff.
“We were starting to think you got lost.” I laugh, hugging my parents and then Uncle Jim.
“Your father decided this morning was a good time to trim the trees around the house.” Mom shoots Dad a glare, but he only shrugs. That’s just how Dad is, we all know it.
“Heard anything from Nick?” Uncle Jim asks.
“I haven’t, but we can ask Nina if she knows anything. I’m sure he’s almost here.” I smile at my uncle, but I know it’s not convincing.
Nick was supposed to be home yesterday, but his return flight has been pushed back about five times since he landed in California on Monday. He’s been getting pulled all over the place since taking a job with Villa Inc. last year, becoming one of the principal architects at the firm under the Villa umbrella. I don’t think I’ve seen him in almost a month—since his birthday last month. He was home last weekend for about two days before he had to leave again, and I didn’t want to interrupt the little time he and Nina got together, so I didn’t even try to contact him.
The new job keeps him busy by sending him around the country mostly to clean up messes and offer insight to their newly acquired companies. Occasionally he serves as a consultant to other firms, helping them find solutions for any problems they’re encountering on their current projects. I don’t know that it’s exactly what he envisioned for his career, but it allows him more flexibility and the opportunity to be closer to his wife—considering she’s co-owner of the whole operation. Under Nina and Kai (mostly Nina), Villa Inc. has become three times the size while Ric was still running it, officially becoming the world’s largest investment company as of February. Nina had taken on a larger role when her brother took a step back to be a dad three years ago. And she never stopped, even afterKai returned. I think Kai preferred it that way. His sister was far more like their dad than he was and she enjoyed the job more than Kai did. When Ric passed, I was surprised he initially left the company to Kai, but I wasn’t surprised when Nina ended up taking over.
I think it’s starting to wear down on Nick and Nina— the distance—because he has been traveling with her a little more than normal lately. When he mentioned that a few weeks ago, I wasn’t sure how that worked with his job, but I guess it doesn’t matter when you’re married to the big boss. I was happy they were making it work. I couldn’t do what they do, that’s for damn sure.
With the way Nick’s schedule has been continuously pushed on this trip, I have a feeling he won’t make it today, but I don’t want to be the one to break Uncle Jim’s heart. I know he’d been looking forward to seeing his son. I’ll let Nina do that…
“Well, c’mon. Everyone else is here, and food should be about ready. I have to throw the burgers on the grill.” I usher them up the steps and into the house, shooting my sister another warning glare as I pass by.
Walking inside, Elizabeth greets us in the foyer with open arms and a warm smile. She embraces my parents and Uncle Jim before coaxing them further inside with the promise of food. Before she can follow, I grab her hand before she can run away and spend the rest of the day up Nina’s ass to avoid me.
“Something I can help you with?” Elizabeth asks, taking a step back, but doesn’t try to pull out of my grasp yet.
“Does Nina know?” I ask.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t play coy, Sugar. Does Ninaknow?”
Elizabeth scoffs, running her tongue across her teeth, and steps into me. She removes her hand from my grasp, draping her arms around my shoulders and leaning close. She whispers, “Shedoesn’t know anything she doesn’t need to know.” Elizabeth pulls back to look up at me sweetly, but her eyes tell a different story. “Now, give me a kiss. Everyone’s watching.”
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
NOW
BEAR IS GOING BALLISTIC from a crate somewhere deeper in the house. Elizabeth disappears to the left, and I slip my shoes off, leaving them outside on the porch before stepping over the threshold. I’m still soaked from the storm outside. I close the front door quietly and take two steps inside the foyer, the sound of paws against hardwood fills the air. Bear rounds the corner and barrels straight down the main hall toward me, zeroed in. The softest hum reverberates in his chest, ready to sound the alarm, until he catches my scent and immediately begins to lick my hand, nudging it with his large head.
“Hiya, bud,” I exhale, glad that he still likes me. I would not want to be on the other side of that dog.
I rub behind his ears, scratching his head and offering him small words of praise. When I look up, Elizabeth leans against the wall, watching for a brief moment until our eyes meet. She takes a deep breath and disappears down the hallway, swinging left again.
“Am I supposed to follow her?” I ask the dog, but his only response is a happy pant before trotting off behind her.
The main hallway spills into a living room centered around a fireplace; a TV hangs from the wall above the fire, playingThe Family Stone, one of her favorite Christmas movies full of drama, romance, and Christmas spirit, right behind a movie of quite the opposite:Miracle on 34thStreet. Accordion-style French doors line the back wall that opens up to the screened porch. To the far left end of the living space is an eat-in dining area featuring a large built-in banquette with a huge round table underneath a modern-looking, rounded crystal chandelier. Turning the corner, I find her in the kitchen, washing her hands in the farmhouse sink, but what catches my eye is the color of the island cabinets. It’s the same color as the Savannah townhouse kitchen.
“Go sit,” she orders, motioning toward the doorway on her left. Through the threshold, there’s a butler’s pantry fitted with a wet bar and a stainless steel double-door fridge. Who needs that much fridge space? I don’t have long to ponder the question before she ushers me forward into the dining room to sit in one of the chairs and opens up a first-aid kit.
Elizabeth works quietly, avoiding any eye contact, as she uses a wet washcloth to clean my injuries. I’m mostly battered and bruised; the only real damage is a busted lip and a cut on my brow, but she takes her time. Using the cloth to wipe away any blood, she makes sure the cuts are clean before she applies a butterfly bandage. Bear watches from his bed in the corner, quiet and content.
When she’s satisfied, Elizabeth closes up the kit and walks back through the kitchen disappearing around the corner. She returns moments later and wraps some ice in a towel. Taking the icepack, I offer her a grateful smile, but she ignores it, returning to the kitchen. Bear watches her walk away before glancing back at me, then at her. After a moment, I swear the dog rolls his eyes before settling back into his bed and going to sleep. Can dogs even roll their eyes?
Through the doorway, I watch her busy herself in the kitchen, cleaning up a nonexistent mess. I know I’m going to have to make the first move. Otherwise, we’ll be doing the most awkward two-step all night. I lean against the doorway, holding the ice pack to my brow. “Wanna talk about it?”
“No,” she says. But I don’t say anything. We’ve had this conversation before and if I just give her a minute, she’ll crack. She always does.
I watch her hand wipe invisible crumbs into her other awaiting one at the edge of the wood block island counter before dusting them into the sink. She tidies up the four miniature potted plants on the windowsill behind the sink. And then she runs her hand under a stream of warm water before rinsing out the bowl of the sink. When she’s satisfied, she turns off the water and reaches for the towel to dry her hands, and just like clockwork…
