Seven Days in June(99)

They looked at each other and at the romantic table for two and realized that Cece had once again used her infinite powers to orchestrate this entire thing. Inside the restaurant, they overheard the hostess saying to a server, “Skip the drinks menu, Paul. Just seltzer. Neither one of them drink.”

Shane scratched the side of his jaw, chuckling. With a tickled sigh, Eva cast her eyes upward at the starry sky.

They’d been had.

The night stilled around them as they settled into the realization that they were alone together. After wanting it so badly. Eva took the gardenia still in her hand and waved it under her nose. She wanted to have a scent to accompany this memory.

“Would you have asked me to come to Louisiana?” asked Shane.

“Yes.” Eva’s gaze caught his. “Would you have come?”

“I had a bag packed. I was just waiting for the word.”

“I think we were wrong to end this.” Eva clutched the flower to her chest, where her heart was thundering.

Shane cupped her face in his hands. “It never ends, does it? Loving you never ends. Whether you’re Genevieve or Eva. Whether I lose you for years or wake up to your face every morning. I love you. You’re my home. And I want you forever.”

Eva blinked up at him, eyes dancing. “Forever?”

Shane nodded, his mouth curving upward, slow and assured.

“Oh, fine,” she whispered. “You can have me.”

Shane beamed and ran his hand up the back of her neck, into her hair. Gently, he fisted a handful and tilted her head back.

Crickets chirped in that lazy midsummer way, gardenias scented the air, and the delighted waitstaff hung back, giving the lovers their moment.

They kissed, and they restarted, right where they stood.





Acknowledgments




I’m thankful to my entire family, but especially my mom, Andrea Chevalier Williams, and our extended Creole clan near and far, whose history is endlessly fascinating (but far less scandalous and dramatic than the Merciers’, it’s worth noting).

Huge thanks to my father, Aldred Williams. When I couldn’t think of a title, I described the plot to him and he proclaimed, “Seven Days in June!” No hesitation. Honestly, I was both relieved and jealous.

I’m also thankful for the genius of my migraine doctor, Lisa Yablon, without whom I wouldn’t have been lucid enough to write one word.

I’m grateful for the sense of humor and razor-sharp instincts of my literary agent, Cherise Fisher, who always gets it—and for the storytelling prowess of my impossibly clever editor, Seema Mahanian, who knew exactly how to make this story sing.

Huge thanks to my dazzling and wise daughter, Lina, for her patience in dealing with a constantly writing mom—and for giving me the best “Audre” advice. I took it all!

Finally, I’m eternally grateful to my Francesco, who inspired me in the most profound ways, and gave me the space (literally and figuratively) to write this thing when it felt impossible. With him, nothing is.





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Reading Group Guide for


SEVEN DAYS IN JUNE





Discussion Questions





Eva Mercy is an author who feels creatively stuck, grateful to a series that has made her not only successful and given her a devoted following, but also pigeon-holed her as a certain type of writer. Discuss the challenges that artists can experience in changing style.

The potential director for the Cursed movie adaptation states that the characters need to be white to be “accessible.” What are some instances of whitewashing you’ve witnessed in popular culture? Discuss the repercussions this has on our culture and society.

“Your misogynoir is showing” is Eva’s response when Khalid denigrates her writing as “fluff.” Why do you think a value system has been assigned to different kinds of writing, where genres such as fantasy and romance are seen solely as entertainment and not art? Can you think of ways to combat this perception?

Eva Mercy has spent much of her adult life too busy with work and motherhood to date. She’s also been too scared. Discuss the ways that these seven days in June allow Eva to be vulnerable and open herself up to love. How have your own experiences with love made you feel vulnerable?

Eva and Shane both feel like misfits and outsiders. When they meet, they seem to understand each other on a molecular level. What does Seven Days in June make you feel about the importance of being loved and understood by someone else? Discuss what the novel says about allowing yourself to be seen and accepted for who you are.

Motherhood, mothering, and what we carry through generations are themes at the core of Seven Days in June. Discuss the ways that both Lizette and Eva carry traumas of their ancestors with them, and the ways it makes Eva intent on not repeating the cycle with Audre. How have you seen this play out in your own life, in your relationships with your parents or your children?

Shane works with students like Ty to give back to the community and heal from his own childhood trauma. Later, when he decides to coach basketball at the YMCA, he’s found a different model of giving back, without creating unhealthy dependencies. Discuss Shane’s trajectory over these seven days and the ways in which he grows.