Chapter Ten #2
“I’ve met celebrities. Big difference.”
“You’re worldly.”
“I don’t even know what that means.”
“Aunt Lil.” This time, she says my name through clenched teeth. “Help me. Please.” She glances down at her hands and adds softly, “I really like him.”
My heart squeezes in my chest, and I shift my attitude. My favorite person on the planet is asking for my help. “Okay, first things first: Do you think he feels the same way as you? Meaning, does he want to be more than friends?”
Chloe looks relieved at my questions, like this is what she’s here for. “I think so? I mean, I haven’t asked.” She looks like the thought of asking makes her ill.
I take a deep breath. “Well. Okay. Here’s the thing: I think you’re gonna have to risk it. You know? You’re gonna have to just ask him to the dance.”
She grimaces and I hear her swallow. “Yeah.”
“If you wanted to ask him to go just as friends, you could do that, too.”
Her face flinches. “I think he’ll get asked by one of the cheerleaders if I don’t make a move that’s more than friends. You know what I mean?”
I want to say damn cheerleaders , but I was one, so I nod instead.
“Can you help me word how to ask? I mean, you’re a writer and you write romance. Can you help me write up a script to ask him out?”
“Now, that I can do.”
“Do I look okay?” Chloe makes a face just this side of a grimace, as if my gorgeous niece is ever anything other than gorgeous in my eyes.
But I do my duty and scrutinize her—or pretend to—carefully.
Her blond hair is in a messy bun, and I can just see the faded blue streak in it that she got on the last day of school in June.
She’s not really somebody who enjoys dressing up as much as her friends do—she’d rather be in comfy things like joggers or shorts and flip-flops.
But she’s making an effort today, with no prodding at all from me.
I think she wants to make a good impression on Serena.
She’s wearing a cute sundress that has a subtle paisley print on it in light greens and golds.
Her sandals are brown. “I should’ve done my toes,” she says, gazing down at the chipped black polish.
“Sweetie, you look great.” And she does. I think it’s so cute that she’s nervous because normally, I’d be asking her for advice on my outfit.
“I don’t want your friends to think I’m a loser.”
“Listen, I don’t even know who else will be there. It’s possible Serena is the only person I’ll know besides you.”
“And Reggie,” she reminds me, reaching toward the couch to give my dog some love.
“And Reggie. We can all be losers together.”
“Well,” she says, nuzzling Reggie with her face, “you and me can be losers. Not Reggie. He’s the king.” Reggie looks at me over her head like he knows exactly what she just said and is very satisfied by it.
With a roll of my eyes, I go back into my bedroom to check out my own outfit.
I wasn’t kidding about not knowing who will be there.
Serena’s cache of friends is nothing if not eclectic, so I’ve kept it simple.
Some lightweight, wide-leg pants in a pale yellow and an ivory sleeveless button-down shirt.
Seeing Chloe’s cute messy bun makes me consider growing my hair back out, but for now, I tuck it behind my ears, put on some simple gold hoops, and I’m ready to go.
“Shall we?” I ask her, my standard question whenever we’re off somewhere together.
“We shall,” she says, her standard response. She clips Reggie’s leash on, and we head downstairs, where we wave to Marco before heading outside. “God, he’s so hot,” she mutters, and I wonder if I was even meant to hear it. Then she and Reggie are off to sniff stuff on the other side of the street.
I laugh when we get to Serena’s gate and I say, “We’re here,” because Chloe’s eyes widen in clear surprise.
“Already?”
“I told you it was close.” I hit the intercom and the gate buzzes open.
“Close? That was, like, next door.” She doesn’t even need to redirect Reggie—when he sees where I am, he pulls her my way and runs through the gate with her laughing behind him.
“Told you he loves Serena.”
Ria meets us at the door, and I introduce Chloe, who sticks her hand out to shake.
Ria looks surprised but takes it with a soft smile, then leads us into the living room where Serena is chatting with a couple of women I’ve never met before.
She stops mid-sentence when she sees us, gets to her feet, and comes across the room to embrace me.
“So good to see you, my friend.” She bends to scoop Reggie up and lavish him with kisses—which he absorbs happily, his tail wagging furiously—then turns her attention to Chloe. “And you must be the niece your aunt can’t stop talking about.”
Again, Chloe sticks out her hand, and my pride swells. I taught her how to shake hands when meeting somebody new. I explained to grip firmly and look the person in the eye. I can still hear her giggling laughter when I demonstrated a “wet fish” shake. She was twelve.
“I’m Chloe,” she says, looking Serena in the eye. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
More pride swelling on my part.
“Well, you look just like your aunt,” Serena says.
Both Chloe and I say simultaneously, “But in miniature.” We’ve heard many times that we look similar, and I’m not tall, but Chloe is super petite.
“Come in, come in.” Serena unclips Reggie’s leash and continues to carry him with her as she leads us into the living room, where the other two people sit.
Chloe leans close to me and whispers, “Um, she just took my dog.”
I do a quiet snort. “Yeah, you’ve got some competition for Reggie’s affections, I’m afraid.”
“So not cool.”
Serena sits on the sofa and indicates the couple sitting opposite her.
“Kayla Tennyson, London Granger, this is my friend Lily Chambers and her niece, Chloe.” She drops a kiss on Reggie’s head and adds, “And this is my boyfriend, Reggie.” I swear to God, my dog straightens up in her arms like he’s trying to make a good impression on the newcomers.
Kayla and London both stand as I cross and shake their hands, then feel another surge of pride as Chloe does the same.
Both women are stunning, especially London.
She’s tall, blond, thin. Her big eyes are a gorgeously deep blue, and I get the impression she doesn’t miss a thing.
Kayla is equally observant, but she seems less interested in the people in the room and more interested in our surroundings.
“How do you know Serena?” I ask as Chloe and I take seats.
“Oh, Kayla did work for my husband,” Serena says. “She’s in security.”
Aha. That explains her attention.
“She and London are on their honeymoon.”
I don’t know why I’m surprised there are another couple of queer women in Serena’s life, but I am. Pleasantly so. As if she’d been lurking around the corner waiting for Serena’s words, Ria appears carrying a tray of glasses filled with what looks to be Champagne.
“A toast to the newlyweds,” Serena says, holding up her glass.
Chloe looks at me, and I nod for her to go ahead and take a glass.
Once all our glasses are raised, Serena goes on. “May you never wonder if you’re loved. May the sun always be on your faces. May you walk side by side for your entire life together, and if you can’t, may one of you have the strength to carry the other. Cin cin !” We touch glasses and sip.
“That was lovely, Serena,” London says. “Thank you.” She turns to me as I tuck away that she’s American, judging by her accent. “And what brings you to Rome?”
“Oh, I’m here to work,” I say, not lying but not telling the whole truth. “And Chloe starts school next week, so she wanted a quick visit.” I lean into her. “Cuz she missed her old aunt.”
Chloe gives the teenage girl eye roll, but grins to take out any sting. “And to see my boy, Reggie.” She sends a mock glare his way. “Not cool to abandon me after one day, my dude. Not cool at all.” In response, he seems to shift closer to Serena, which makes us all laugh.
“So,” Serena says, addressing me. “I know last week I told you this was going to be a tasting, but I’ve changed it to a game night instead.
I hope that’s okay. We just have such a fun, laid-back group tonight, I thought it would be perfect.
Plus, we can get to know each other a bit.
And there will still be plenty of wine, don’t worry. ”
“I’m always up for game night,” I say, not at all disappointed by the change. “Sounds fun.” I turn to Chloe to see if she’d rather not stay, and she’s grinning like a fool, so I know she’s in.
The doorbell rings, causing Reggie to yip twice in Serena’s lap, and a moment later, two men are led into the room by Ria.
“Everyone, this is James and Brandon,” Serena says, standing and waving her arm toward the two in a flourish.
“They own a wine bar near my old home in Nyack. And the way I love wine? Trust me, these boys got to know me all too well.” She laughs and they laugh and then hug and kiss her, and their affection for her is clear.
As she goes around the room and introduces us all, I notice James and Brandon have matching wedding bands.
Chloe leans close as the guys shake hands with Kayla and London and whispers, “Is this a queer party? Should I go?”
I bump against her playfully with my shoulder just as the doorbell rings again and Reggie repeats his two-yip notification.
“Thanks, Reg,” Chloe says, and then Serena gives him a kiss on his head and hands him over to her.
“Your turn.” Serena gives my niece a wink.
Chloe snuggles my dog happily—something that’s always warmed my heart, their mutual affection—and settles back against the sofa just as the next guest is led in by Ria.
My heart rate kicks up several notches, and I can feel my face get warm because Marina has just walked into the room. Serena hugs her tightly, and Marina meets my eyes over her shoulder. Her smile grows.
“I’m late,” she says to Serena. “My apologies.”