Chapter Nineteen
CHAPTER NINETEEN
THEN
December 2016
WHY I LET HER talk me into this I’ll never understand. After what happened last year, I thought we would be officially uninvited for the rest of our lives. When the invitation showed up in my mailbox, I sent her a picture with a quick “lol,” but she told me to shove that “lol” up my ass because we were going. Truth be told, we both knew we couldn’t refuse. It would look far worse than showing up.
With my hand on her lower back, I guide her through the double doors of Cawthorn Manor with Finn and Michaela in tow. They had been going at it the entire ride here, and pulling into the driveway, I warned them to be on their best behavior, or they’d be walking home in the rain.
I spot Nina in the foyer at the same time Elizabeth does, but our line of sight is blocked when none other than Harvey Cawthorn steps in front of us.
“Josh! So good to see you. We’ve missed you around here.”
“It’s good to see you, sir,” I say with a tight-lipped smile.
“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.”
That is surprising.
“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.