Stuck-Up Suit(62)

“I’m just happy to be getting out of the city. It doesn’t matter what we do.”

“Well, I’d like to take you on a real vacation soon. Work should calm down in the next couple of months. Think about where you’d want to go...St. Barts, Hawaii, Europe. There are so many choices. I’ll charter a jet.”

“Okay, Mr. Fancy Pants. But you can choose, because I haven’t been anywhere. It doesn’t matter anyway; I just want to be with you.”

He squeezed my hand. “You’re the first person who’s said those words that I actually believe.”

It was easy to forget how wealthy Graham was sometimes because he’d become so relaxed around me. He insisted he preferred things like eating on the floor out of cartons over going to high-end restaurants most nights. I often wondered if that was truly his preference or if he was just doing it to appease me or to make himself appear more down to Earth than he really was. I truly didn’t need a private jet or an expensive vacation. In fact, I preferred the simple things.

As we pulled off the highway, my stomach started to feel unsettled. Being in the car was a nice little oasis that would soon be rudely interrupted.

Twenty minutes after driving through windy side roads, we pulled up to Genevieve’s waterfront Hamptons’ estate. The sprawling, wood-shingled home was partially hidden by plush green hedges.

Beyond the black, wrought iron gates, I could see just how massive the house was with its white moldings, arched windows and farmer’s porch that wrapped around it. If it could talk, it would have said, “You’re officially out of your league, Brooklyn bitch.”

Graham left the presents in the car, deciding to retrieve them later. A woman in a gray housekeeping dress greeted us in front with mimosas. I took one and immediately put it back, forgetting that there was a small chance I could be pregnant. Damn. I really needed alcohol today.

“Go straight through the house to the French doors leading to the yard,” she said.

Sensing my nerves, Graham protectively placed his hand on my back as we walked inside together.

The foyer had practically vomited lavender hydrangeas. Genevieve was in the large, white kitchen arranging even more of them when we passed through.

“Graham, you made it!” She smiled.

Brushing off her hands, she walked around the granite island to greet us. She looked like she was about to hug him but stopped herself, probably sensing his apprehension. Not to mention his grip hadn’t left my torso.

Her eyes stayed fixed on Graham. “Chloe is outside playing with some of her friends. The adults are scattered about as well. You remember Bret Allandale. He’s here with his wife, Laura. So are Jim and Leslie Steinhouse.”

Since she had chosen to ignore me, I cleared my throat and said, “You have a beautiful home.”

“Thank you. Graham picked this property out, actually.”

Confused, I looked to him for clarification, but he didn’t offer it. Instead, he just tightened his grip on me.

She continued, “This was our summer place…before things changed.”

Graham finally spoke. “The house was in both our names at one point…until I gladly sold my share to Liam.” He looked toward the doors leading to the patio. “We should go find Chloe.” Graham led me outside without making further conversation with Genevieve.

A closed in-ground pool sat in the middle of the large backyard. To the left was a bright green tennis court. To the right was a large grassy area where at least a dozen little girls in flowy dresses were running around. A large, inflatable bounce house in the shape of a princess castle was set up along with a pink cotton candy station. There was also a makeshift outdoor beauty salon where the girls could get their hair done up like princesses. Genevieve had definitely gone all out.

Graham was looking toward the kids, trying to spot Chloe.

“So…this was your house, Graham?”

“Yes…only for a short time. I put it in both our names after we’d gotten engaged. Then, when I found out about what was going on, I didn’t want anything to do with it. Genevieve’s imprint is all over everything. It was easier for me to just sell it to Liam and be done with it.”

“But you picked this house. It must have been hard to give it up.”

“Yes. I loved how close it is to the water. The architecture also has a lot of charm.”

“It certainly does. You have good taste.”

He leaned in and nuzzled my ear. “I would say so.”

I had to admit, knowing that this had been his and Genevieve’s love nest at one time made me even more uncomfortable about being here.

I looked around at how conservatively everyone was dressed. In his white fitted Polo shirt, Graham blended in just fine. As always, I stuck out with my strapless royal blue dress and matching blue hair tips. I’d been itching to change the color but vowed to keep it blue so that Graham didn’t think I was going off the rails.

When Chloe spotted Graham, she made a beeline toward him. “Graham Cracker!”

He knelt down with his arms open as she ran toward him then pretended to fall back when she threw herself into his arms. “Happy birthday, sweetheart.”

When she pulled away, she looked up at me. “Hi, Soraya.”

“Hi, Chloe.” I bent down. “Can I have a hug, too?” We embraced, and she kissed me lightly on the cheek. Her mouth was sticky from the cotton candy.