Chapter 13 #2
“Camila, your family’s place is beautiful.”
“It is, isn’t it? It’s one of my dad’s first large purchases once he started making money. He doesn’t even consider it his. Instead, it’s a family’s home, for both my mom’s and dad’s sides. Anyone is welcome anytime. When we were younger we’d do holidays here and big family gatherings.”
That doesn’t surprise me in the least. Besides my brother, the Moraleses are the most generous people I’ve ever encountered.
“Wow.” I don’t say much more, awestruck, taking in the whitewashed stucco walls that gleam perfectly from the morning sun.
I’ve always been intrigued by Architectural Digest interviews with people who have Spanish-style homes. The terracotta tiled roofs. The window grilles that I remember Leo once telling me were called “rajas,” made from wrought iron.
Such a different style from what I’m familiar with.
My head is on a swivel as I follow Camila through the heavy, dark wooden door, decorated with studs in a beautiful, unique yet uniform pattern.
A truly stunned gasp leaves my lips as the doors open. The entryway is an inner courtyard, semi-open to the elements, with a fountain made of blue-and-white ceramic tiles.
The entire space is filled with potted plants, like geraniums. Vines are climbing up the stone walls, covering a wooden lattice that leans perfectly against the house.
Rays of light reflect down into the fountain, and songbirds chirp from above.
It’s unbelievably magical.
Tears spring to my eyes, and a world of emotions swirls in my chest, but “grateful” is the key word.
So much to be grateful for today.
Camila circles her arms around my stomach from behind and leans her head on my back. “You okay?”
I nod, then turn and give her a proper hug. “I’m so happy you’re here in this world with me.”
She dips her head to hide her emotions, then Addie comes barreling forward and throws her arms around us.
“All right, bitches, enough with the emotional bullshit. We’re here to party.”
I throw my head back and laugh out loud, feeling free of all responsibilities for the next two weeks has never felt so good.
“I’m on a boat and I’m not even scared,” I sing-song, cheersing Camila with my champagne as I look over the glamorous Port de Saint-Tropez.
Camila looks at me, unimpressed. “We’re on a yacht, docked in the port, not moving. What’s there to be scared about?”
“You’d be surprised how my brain works,” I yell over thumping music from the yacht next to us.
Yacht next to us.
Who am I?
We left Valencia a few days ago for a surprise weekend trip to Saint-Tropez. I was beside myself…Spain and France.
Sebastian set up the whole weekend. He chartered a small private plane and booked the swankiest hotel, and tonight, our last night, we’re staying on his friend’s yacht.
It’s times like these I’m reminded of Lake Horizon and how one summer changed the trajectory of my whole life.
Exactly how Mase said it would.
Now, my eyes are open to so many more experiences I could have never imagined.
We’ve had the best time; I don’t think any trip will beat this.
We’ve gone shopping, sightseeing, and, of course, partying.
A lot of partying.
In all the years we’ve been friends, I’ve never been able to keep up with these two, but something about Europe invigorates me.
It’s like I can do anything I put my mind to.
Like now, I’ve been drinking champagne all day and night, like I won’t have the most wicked hangover known to man.
But I’m in France…champagne is a must.
The guys in the yacht parked next to me all clap and wolf whistle as five hot models walk on their boat, and I can’t help but roll my eyes.
This lifestyle is fun with the girls, but I’m not sure I’d ever get used to the pompous jerks associated with it.
Little dick energy, as I’ve been calling it.
Take this scene playing out in front of my eyes. All the yachts are docked in the harbor, lined up in front of all the trendy restaurants and beautiful orange and pink-washed buildings. Tourists walk along the water, gawking at all the billionaires’ toys, wondering what they all do for a living.
If they only knew little ol’ me still lives in a rundown shack with my parents. I’d burst their bubble of the image they’ve created.
“This is the life. No work, just play,” Camila sighs.
“Must be nice to have a rich daddy.” I smirk as she playfully hits my arm. She knows full well I’m kidding.
“I miss work.”
“Oh god, you would.” Addie plops down in the deck chair across from Camila and me.
I can barely take her seriously in her jet-black wig.
We’re all wearing one to support Camila, as her hair has barely grown back. She’s rocking a bright purple wig that perfectly matches her tanned skin tone, and I went for a bleach-blonde.
I shrug. “It’s what I love. I don’t miss waking up at six in the morning, but I miss applying myself and being part of a team, where we’re designing epic structures.”
“Lame. But I love that you love your job.”
I frown. “I thought you enjoyed working for your parents.”
Addie sighs and leans back with her spicy margarita in hand. “I do, but I’m just wondering if I’m missing out on building something of my own.”
“Well, you, Adelaide Sinclair, are one person I would invest everything I have in anything you do.”
“Thanks, chick.”
“Maybe you can do something on the side that you love? Similar to how I make jewelry.”
“And be an assistant?” Camila lifts a questioning brow. She’s been on me to cut ties with Mason; she thinks I’m overworking myself.
“Yeah. Yeah, and that. Mase better find someone soon, or I will quit.”
Addie chuckles. “You’d never leave your brother high and dry.”
“I know, but he’s a pain in my behind.” I take a sip of my drink. “This champagne is delicious.”
“Isn’t it?” Camila takes a sip of her own.
“For six hundred dollars a bottle, it better be,” Addie adds.
“What the hell?” I almost spit out what’s in my mouth, but I safely keep it in. This one sip is worth what? Fifty dollars?
Camila’s eyes sparkle. “Rich daddy, remember?”
I cross my legs and roll my eyes. “Even I’m not that stupid. I saw how many bottles were downstairs; Rosa would have your dad by the balls. Your brothers probably paid for that, too.”
She chuckles. “Harrison said he called and had it stocked for us.”
Now that makes more sense.
“Are you ever going to let go of that bag?” Addie holds her new Hermès purse, which she bought yesterday, like a newborn child.
“I’ve been fucking horny for this bag for the last two years. I’m not letting it out of my sight.”
Camila and I burst out laughing. “You need to get laid if you’re horny for a bag.”
Addie and Camila share a look before both turning their attention back toward me.
“What?” I eye them suspiciously when they don’t answer. “Hello. What are you two up to?”
“Camila has a few guy friends coming on the boat tonight,” Addie announces.
“Okay, and?”
“One saw your picture, and to say he was interested is an understatement,” Camila adds. “His name is—”
“Stop,” I huff, shaking my head, annoyed. “Don’t even go there. I don’t want to meet anyone.”
Addie sighs. “It’s been two years since you broke up, Maddie Grace. I think it’s time you move on.”
“Addie…”
“Don’t Addie me. This isn’t healthy. It’s fine if you don’t want to move on. It’s even okay to still love Nate. But if you do, then stop loving him from afar.”
“Oh, please, I haven’t heard from Nate in a year. I am not loving him from here or there.”
“Do you want to hear from him?” Camila perks up.
I lean back in my chair, thinking about the loaded question.
Do I?
I dream about him reaching out often, but that’s all it is: a dream. He didn’t just hurt me, he ruined me, and I’m not sure I can ever forgive him when it comes down to it.
“It’s a little late for that now. He had all this time to reach out, and he didn’t.” The girls don’t respond, making me curious about their thoughts. “What now?”
“I mean…why would he?” Addie replies.
I look between her and Camila, who is quiet as a mouse. “What does that mean?”
“The way you left things last time didn’t give anyone the impression you’d want him to.”
“He’s the one who broke up with me, out of nowhere!” I raise my voice, then take a breath. “I don’t want to do this right now. Not today, not in France. Let’s forget it for now. Please.” Neither of them says a word. “Please,” I repeat with force, and they both nod.
“Thank you, and now I hate this boat because I can’t escape either of you annoying bitches,” I joke to lighten the mood, and I know we’re back to normal when they lean in to clink my glass, laughing as we all chug our million-dollar champagne.
Spinning around, I take in every angle of the dress Addie forced me to buy.
Baby blue, strapless, tight, and sexy as hell with a plunging neckline, yet somehow it doesn’t show too much cleavage.
It was a splurge.
I usually would never spend this much on one piece. However, Mason called Addie earlier to make sure I bought something nice for myself for our last night, and I have to admit, I feel good.
My body is tanned to perfection from the Mediterranean sun, and my hair is down, waved the way only Addie can do it.
We’re back from France for one last night in Spain before heading home.
“Hey, where the hell is your bracelet?” Addie snaps, looking down at my wrist.
“It doesn’t really go with this dress.”
She stomps away, then comes back and grabs my wrist aggressively to latch my bracelet back.
“Ouch. What the heck?”
“Bestie bracelets don’t come off, especially after seven years of wearing them.”
My lips curve into an over-the-top smile as I grab her tightly. “God, I love you.”
“You’d better. Your long-ass hair took so long to style that I had no time for me, and now it looks like shit.” She kisses me and walks out to get dressed.
“We should make this a yearly tradition.” I follow her into her room. “Every summer we’ll do a girls’ trip in Europe.”
“You go to Europe once, and now you have the travel bug.”