Chapter 19
Harrison
Ollie beams. “Wait until you meet Freddie.”
“Who’s Freddie?” Pix asks.
“He’s our butler,” Connor says, like that’s a completely normal sentence.
I blink. How did those words just come out of my kid’s mouth?
Pix leans into my side, lowering her voice. “Your royal lumberjackness has… help?”
“I don’t.” I tip my chin toward Mrs. D. “She does. We’re just collateral beneficiaries.”
Ollie nods enthusiastically. “He butts.”
Pix laughs. “He… what?”
We step into the suite, and I’m about to introduce them when Pix’s entire face lights up.
“Freddie Long!”
She throws her arms around him like she’s known him forever.
“It’s nice to see you again, Ms. Alvarez,” he says smoothly.
“How do you two know each other?” I ask.
“It’s a long story,” Pix replies quickly. It’s clear she’s trying to sweep the conversation away.
My eyes flick to Freddie, who answers instantly. “I used to work for the Cartwrights, sir,” he replies, matter of factly, then scatters to the kitchen.
Well, well, well.
The Cartwrights.
As in Chase Cartwright.
Small world.
“Freddie’s so cool,” Snooki announces, practically vibrating. “Look what he did to my animals.” She grabs Pix’s hand and starts tugging.
“My room next,” Ollie adds, already claiming her other arm.
They’ve been wish-boning her for the past hour, with no end in sight.
“You’ll make it work,” Mrs. D. says as she steps in beside me. We watch as the kids fawn over Pix like they haven’t seen her in years.
I can’t keep them away.
“Promise?” I ask, only half kidding.
Mrs. D. holds up her hand. “Promise.”
Dinner turns into the wide world of sports, butler edition.
Freddie “buttles,” which apparently means he serves while the kids narrate everything he does like it’s a live sporting event.
“Look, he’s pouring the water,” Snooki whispers loudly.
“I can see that,” Pix says, laughing.
“And now he’s buttling the bread,” Ollie points out.
“That’s not a word,” I mutter.
Pix leans into me, her shoulder brushing mine. “You’ve created monsters.”
Connor quietly asks, “Is he coming back to New York?”
“Freddie has to be terrorized by the next group of guests I’m afraid.”
Connor turns to Pix. “Are you coming back to New York with us.”
All eyes land on her.
Even mine.
Pix goes still for a second, like the question hits deeper than any of us meant it to.
Her gaze flicks to me.
Then back to the kids.
“I…” She smiles, soft but unsure. “I’d like that.”
The room erupts.
Snooki launches herself at her. Ollie whoops. Connor just nods like he expected nothing less.
I don’t move.
Because that wasn’t a yes.