Chapter 40
Summer
I spend a scorching hot week at the plantation with Rose and Aaron, having to swap clothes before going to work at Finn in the afternoons from all the sweating. I enjoy my time there, though. Rose regales me with stories of Mara whenever she can.
Nick gets word from the tournament officials in Columbia that his opponent was disqualified, and there’s an investigation into the coach.
They couldn’t determine if he was drugged during the entire tournament, but after interviewing his other opponents, none of them noticed any issues, so Nick's awarded the win.
His trophy and cash award are being delivered next week.
Friday after work, E drives me home so I can get ready for a garden party at his grandparents’ house.
He had to have dinner with them in early July at their house, but this is the first social engagement he’s been required to attend.
E had a dress delivered to the house for me from the same shop as before.
I haven’t stopped long enough to see it, but I’m sure it’s lovely. My only request was no high heels.
Alex and Reesa will be at the party, and Seb is bringing Gabby over to do my hair and makeup. She’s taken on clients this summer for fashion, hair, and makeup. I think it’s a fantastic idea and a great way for her to earn some cash, especially considering how much she loves it.
E goes out back to check the garden while I shower. There’s a lot to harvest this weekend, so the guys are coming over on Sunday to help.
Once I’m clean, E hops in the shower. I grab a snack, then check out my dress.
It’s a soft peach color. The top looks like a button-up blouse with a full, pleated skirt.
There’s a matching peach shawl, purse, gold necklace, bracelet, earrings, and sandals.
Hearing the front door open, I walk out to see Seb and Gabby.
“Hey guys,” I smile. Seb gives me a hug, then I take Gabby to my room.
“Oh, E went modern. The color will look great on you,” Gabby says, examining the dress. E leaves the bathroom, so I grab a stool as Gabby gets set up at the vanity.
“Grab a snack if you want, Hurry,” I yell down the hall.
“Thanks, Sunshine,” he replies, already walking to the kitchen.
“Thanks for doing this today, Gabby,” I say, taking a seat in front of the bathroom mirror.
“Happy to Summer,” she replies, pulling out the hairdryer. Once my hair is dry, we chat about our summer so far. Gabby puts my hair into a chignon and does soft makeup, leaving me with touch-up powder for my purse. “Okay, you’re ready. Let’s get you dressed.”
“Amazing job,” I smile at her, checking my reflection in the mirror.
She takes the stool back out as I go into my closet to get dressed.
After putting on a pair of nude panties and a bra, I slip the dress carefully over my head.
The light ankle-length design will be ideal, given tonight’s forecast of 90 degrees until midnight.
Entering my room, I find Gabby waiting. She helps with my necklace as I put my earrings in.
The bracelets are next, then I slip on my sandals.
My hair needs a touch-up since I had to put the dress on over my head, but it’s a quick fix.
Going back to the bathroom, I check myself out in the mirror.
The dress looks pretty on me, and I really like the overall look.
“Beautiful Summer,” Gabby comments. “E did good,” she smiles. “It suits you.”
I fill my purse, grab my shawl, and we walk out to the living room. E is wearing a light sand linen suit, a white shirt, and a peach tie. “Hey pretty lady,” Seb greets.
“You look beautiful, Summer,” E smiles.
“You look very handsome, E. I love the outfit. Thank you,” I say.
“We need to leave,” E tells us, so we head out. I lock the door as Seb gives me a hug before hopping into the Jeep and waving goodbye with Gabby. E helps me into his truck, and we’re off to his grandparents’ house.
When E pulls up to the house, a valet takes his keys as he opens my door and helps me down.
Following a path around the house’s left side, we enter a beautiful backyard garden.
The scent of roses fills the air, and a white tent open to the evening air is in the back.
“We have to greet my grandparents first, then we can walk around or find Alex,” E tells me.
I nod as he leads me towards the back of the house. His grandparents are standing on the patio area in front of the open French doors. We wait our turn to greet them behind a few other couples. “Grandfather,” E greets. “Grandmother,” he says, kissing her cheek. “You remember Summer?”
“Of course. Nice to see you again,” his grandmother says, a vacant smile plastered on her face.
“Lovely to see you both again,” I smile reluctantly in return.
“Enjoy your evening,” Bill says, already looking behind us as he speaks. Such lovely people.
E escorts me away. “Let’s check out where we’re sitting inside the tent,” E says.
We walk across stone pathways lined with flowers to reach the tent.
Circular tables draped in crisp white linens, adorned with soft, fragrant flower bouquets, are scattered artfully throughout the space.
Towering flower arrangements, overflowing with vibrant blooms and lush greenery, line the edges, interspersed with a variety of potted trees and shrubs.
A golden stand with a seating map is off to the left.
E reads through the list while I look around.
Admittedly, it’s a beautiful setup. “We’re sitting with my grandparents,” E tells me. “Mom and Dad are at the next table.”
Yay. “Okay,” I nod.
“That’s gonna piss my father off,” E replies with a frown.
“Will he make a scene?” We don’t need the extra drama. I’m tired and hungry after working in the greenhouses all week.
“No, he wouldn’t dare, but he always sits with them. Grandfather is sending a message. I’m just not sure what the message is.”
“We’ll deal with whatever happens, E,” I say, squeezing his arm.
“I know,” E smiles. “Let’s take a walk around and see if we can find Alex.
” I walk, holding his arm, around the perimeter of the gardens.
The expansive yard is a symphony of nature, with large shade trees offering a cool respite from the sun.
An abundance of flowers, nestled in colorful pots or rooted deeply in the ground, creates a breathtaking display of color and scent.
E grabs two glasses of tea for us from a passing server.
Noticing Alex across the yard, we walk toward him. Reesa is on his arm wearing a lovely tea-length yellow floral dress, and Alex is in a light grey suit. I believe Reesa’s parents and sister are standing with her. Alex spots us as we approach. “Hello Summer, E,” Alex smiles.
“Hi Alex. Hi Reesa,” I return.
“Summer, may I introduce Mr and Mrs Alan Livingston and their daughter Carolyn.”
“Nice to meet you all,” I say as I shake Alan’s hand. E shakes his hand as well as they exchange pleasantries. “You must be the debutante,” I say to Carolyn.
“The one and only,” she replies sarcastically, with a bow. I like her. She’s got a fire inside.
“It’s an exciting season with our youngest coming out,” Mrs Livingston says, glaring at her youngest.
“I imagine it is,” E replies, “and very busy.”
“Very true,” she smiles politely. “Summer, how are you enjoying your first season in the South?”
“It’s beautiful, although I’m still adjusting to the heat and humidity.”
“Yes, that will take time, I imagine. We should mingle before dinner. Lovely to see you both,” she says to E and me. “Come along, Carolyn.”
“Nice to meet you,” I reply as Alan and Carolyn follow behind her.
“Grandfather has us sitting at the head table instead of my father,” E tells Alex quietly once they are far enough away.
“Interesting,” Alex responds. “Is he being replaced?”
“I’m not sure,” E shrugs, as another young couple joins us.
“E, I haven’t seen you in ages. How are you?” The guy asks.
“Hello Jeffrey. I’m good. How are you?”
“Doing just fine. Who’s your date?”
“This is Summer. Summer, meet Jeffrey.”
“Hello,” I smile.
“Hey darlin’, very nice to meet you,” he says, running his eyes over me. “You must be new to these parts. If you ever need an escort, you just let me know, and I’d be happy to oblige,” he says, holding out a card while dropping his date’s arm and stepping forward.
What an ass. “That’s kind of you,” I reply, not taking his card, then turn to his date. “Hello. I didn’t catch your name.”
“Dahlia,” she responds.
“Nice to meet you, Dahlia. That’s a lovely dress.”
“Oh, thank you,” Dahlia says as Jeffrey stands there looking bewildered.
I look up to see E trying not to chuckle, then at Alex, who’s smiling at me. “Shall we take a stroll?”
“Sure thing,” E smiles.
“Have a nice evening, Dahlia,” I say as we walk away. E lets out a chuckle when we’re out of earshot. “I’d say sorry, but you already know me, so you knew what you were getting into by inviting me.”
“You handled that well, Summer, and you have nothing to be sorry for. Your refreshing attitude towards the people down here is one reason I fell for you. Always be your authentic self.”
“Thanks,” I beam up at him. “So, do we need to mingle with anyone in particular tonight?”
“Not really. We can say hi to a few more people, and then dinner will be served.” We do just that. E introduces me to a few more couples our age. One seems genuinely nice and the other fake, but nice.
Dinner is announced, so we follow the crowd into the tent.
I stand behind my chair beside E until his grandparents enter.
After they are seated, Bill first again, E pulls out my chair for me, then sits beside his grandfather.
There are two other couples at our table, but I’m not introduced to them.
I say hello to the woman sitting beside me and get a nod in return, but no eye contact. Oh well.