Chapter 43
LANEY
T he scent of baby powder diffusers and fresh-cut flowers clung to the air at Baby Blossom, mingling with the faint buzz of nerves I couldn’t quite shake. We were officially open again after the smear campaign had all but disappeared. Things were finally going back to normal.
I stood in the middle of the store with a clipboard in my hand, staring down at the final checklist—again—but it seemed like everything on it had been ticked off.
The permits had been filed, the vendors confirmed twice.
I’d triple-checked the entertainment and Anna was currently on the phone with our neighbors, reminding them that the events were starting tomorrow night.
Everything was in place, and still, I felt just a tiny bit unsettled. It wasn’t because I was worried, though. Nothing was wrong. In fact, it was the complete opposite. For the first time in a long time, everything felt right.
This year, I wasn’t carrying the entire weight of the event alone.
Sterling had helped me—and not just by throwing money at it or sending someone else to assist. He’d actually shown up, reviewing our vendor contracts himself and sitting with me until midnight designing new signs for the stage because he hadn’t believed that the previous ones were appropriately aligned with the brand .
At first, I’d thought it was because he had shares in the business now, but when he’d handed me a cup of coffee at six a.m. the next morning and told me to take my time getting ready while he came to open up the store, I’d realized that he wasn’t doing this for PR, profit, or control.
He was doing it for me.
Every single year, I looked forward to this event, but it felt different this time. With Sterling in my corner, everything did. Hell, I even looked different these days.
I stole a glimpse at my reflection in the window and barely recognized the woman staring back at me. Not in a bad way. I still looked like me, my hair pinned up into a messy bun of sorts and my shirt rumpled from a long day of prep, but I looked happy.
Not just regular happy either, but glowy happy. The kind of happy people got when they were head over heels in love with their husband and getting to spend their nights making sweet, sweet love to him, their days text-flirting back and forth or working together.
My cheeks flushed and I shook my head at myself, striding out to the sidewalk to check the chalkboard sign Gwen had dropped off. It was either that or get lost in thoughts about my husband, but as easy as that would be, neither of us had time for an afternoon delight or even a quick lunch today.
Squinting against the bright afternoon sun, I ran my gaze over the sign and smiled. The neighborhood kids were going to love the yoga obstacle course she had planned. Parents too.
The door jingled behind me, and as I turned, Anna poked her head out. “Gwen just texted. She’s at the studio if you want to run through the schedule again before tomorrow.”
“Thanks,” I said, immediately handing her the clipboard. “Would you mind locking up for me?”
Anna smiled. “You got it. We’re so happy to finally be back, we might even stay later tonight just so we don’t have to go back home.”
I laughed. “You didn’t enjoy your break?”
She widened her eyes and shook her head. “Luella’s sisters drove her nuts and my mom decided that it was the perfect time for me to help her spring clean. It was a nightmare.”
“In that case, feel free to stay open as late you want.” I winked at her. “Just don’t forget to tell everyone who comes in about the block party.”
She mimed saluting me and disappeared back into the store. I chuckled as I started heading down the street toward Gwen’s studio, but my heart was racing a little too much for some light exercise on just a normal day.
I was beyond excited. Tomorrow was the start of something big and knowing I wouldn’t be doing it alone made it feel so much bigger. Snap out of it. We’re not thinking about Sterling right now, remember?
Sighing, I refocused my thoughts and spent the rest of the short walk with my head tipped toward the sun, drinking in its warmth and trying to clear my mind. When I walked into the studio, I inhaled a deep breath of eucalyptus and lemon-scented cleaner, and I smiled.
“I’m here,” I called out as the door swung shut behind me. “Anna said you wanted to walk through everything one last time?”
“In here,” she yelled from the direction of the main studio. “I’m hanging the banner, so I can’t come get you.”
“Oh no, if only I knew my way around,” I teased as I strode toward the sound of her voice. I walked in to find her standing halfway up a ladder, busy tying the end of a banner that read “ Balance, Breathe, Blossom ” in gold lettering.
“I still think that tagline is cheesy,” I muttered. “Can I help?”
“No, and your store is named Baby Blossom,” she shot back without even looking at me. “You said Sterling has been going on about aligning stuff with the brand. This is on brand.”
She wasn’t wrong. Chuckling, I sat down cross-legged on one of the yoga mats and started running her through the events of the weekend. The block party would be running from Friday night until Sunday afternoon, and Gwen’s studio had one of the biggest booths this year.
I glanced at her clipboard, which was lying near the foot of my yoga mat. I knew she was nervous because of everything she’d taken on, but I also knew she was going to knock it out of the park. Even so, I’d come to run through it all with her so hopefully I could help set her mind at ease.
“Outdoor Pilates demonstrations,” I read from her list. “Body weight workouts for parents and kids. I see you’ve also added what appears to be an insanely bougie rest area complete with cold towels, infused water, and free shoulder massages. You’re aware this isn’t Coachella, right?”
“Touch my checklist again and I’ll staple your fingers to the banner,” she said sweetly, climbing down the ladder and grabbing a bottle of water.
She turned to face me. “It’s all about perception, dearest Laney-bug.
People love to be pampered when they’re pretending they’ve just finished a real workout.
This will keep them coming back to me until the next block party. ”
I laughed and glanced back down at her list, but I set it down when my phone started buzzing in my pocket. Pulling it out, I smiled when I saw Sterling’s name on my screen and sat up a little straighter without meaning to. “Hey, you.”
“Hey,” he said, sounding massively distracted, like he was pacing with a Bluetooth headset in his ear and at least three screens in front of him.
“There’s been a change of plans. My parents moved our usual Friday family dinner to tonight because we’re all going to the opening of the block party tomorrow. ”
“Wow. That’s sweet.”
“Mom’s very serious about food trucks. She claims they’re tacky but when she has an opportunity to eat from one she’ll move heaven and earth to be there.”
I smiled. “You sound swamped. Do you want me to drive myself over there later?”
There was a pause on the other end of the line. “I was going to come pick you up.”
“But if you do, you’re going to keep working until after midnight. Just take your time, finish up, and I’ll meet you there.”
He sighed, pausing. “Okay. Take whatever car you want. You know where the keys are, but, uh, text me when you leave? Or I can send Steve to get you?”
“I’ll be fine.” I chuckled. “I’ve been making my own way around for twenty-nine years. I’m sure I can get myself to a family dinner.”
“Yeah. Okay. I…” He trailed off, exhaling a harsh breath. “I’ll talk to you later.”
When the call ended, my heart was pounding. I was convinced he’d been about to tell me that he loved me, but he must’ve changed his mind. On the other hand, that wasn’t really something you said for the first time over the phone.
I sighed, wondering if I was right or if it was just wishful thinking. Gwen was smirking at me from across the studio. I frowned. “What?”
“You just want to drive that car again, don’t you?”
I feigned innocence. “What car?”
She arched an eyebrow. “A certain emerald green Jaguar comes to mind. Not that I blame you. It purrs like sin and makes everyone driving it look like a sex symbol.”
I chuckled. “I don’t really care about looking like a sex symbol, but I do love that car.”
By the time I pulled up to the Westwood estate, the sun was starting to dip behind the trees and the sky was stained with that late-afternoon gold that made the world look softer than it was.
The gorgeous, intricately designed metal gates swung open in front of me and I shook my head, not really sure I’d ever get used to this place.
Garvey opened the door for me and dipped into a short bow as he stepped aside. “Mrs. Westwood.”
Yep, still not used to that either.
“Hey, Garvey. Is he here yet?”
Before he could respond, CC’s voice came floating down the curved staircase. “Laney, darling. I’m so glad you’re here.”
A moment later, she appeared, her arms open and diamond studs bigger than my thumbnails in her ears. She pulled me into a hug and brushed a kiss to both of my cheeks. “It’s so good to see you, honey. How are you feeling now that all that nasty business with Cassandra is over and done with?”
“I’m all good, actually. Sterling really helped.” I let go of her and took a step back. “How are you?”
“Wonderful now that you’re here.” She took my arm and guided me to one of her sitting rooms. “The men are all hiding away somewhere doing whatever it is they do when they’ve shut themselves into a study. My best guess is that they wrestle each other over quarterly reports.”
I laughed, sinking into a velvet couch and admiring the fresh flowers on every surface. “I don’t think they wrestle. It’s too messy. Perhaps a spirited game of chess.”
Her features lit up with laughter as she strode over to the bar cart in the corner.
“That’s an excellent point, my dear. They would’ve broken many more of my lamps by now if they’d kept wrestling.
Let me tell you, having four boys in the house was not good for my décor.
Take my advice. When the times comes, try to have girls.
I hear they’ll keep you just as busy but they’re far less destructive. ”
I choked on a bark of stunned laughter and swiftly changed the subject. “Are you excited for the block party?”
“Excited?” She pressed a hand to her chest like she was offended, but then she winked. “I’ve been planning my outfit for two weeks and I’ve invited all my friends. The fun ones who’ll help us spread the word. I’ve left the snobs to find their own entertainment for the weekend. Drink?”
“Please.”
As she lifted a bottle of wine out of an ice bucket, she glanced at me over her shoulder. “This whole weekend-long neighborhood party you’ve put together is so clever. I love it. It’s no wonder your store is so popular. You really do care about the community.”
“Thank you,” I said, a little shy about the praise. “It’s always a lot of work, but so far, it’s also always been worth it.”
“Oh, I’m sure.” She brought over my glass and sat down in an armchair across from me.
The light pink wine in her glass caught the light as she crossed one leg over the other.
“I’ve been thinking and I wanted to find out if you would be interested in doing a benefit for a few of the mother-and-baby foundations I’m involved with?
We could create a hybrid type of event that supports the small businesses in your neighborhood as well as raising money for a worthwhile cause. ”
“That sounds amazing.” A grin spread across my face. “I’d love that. We’ve tried hosting events for charities before, but I’ve never really managed to get it off the ground.”
“I can help with that,” she assured me confidently. “I happen to know a few women who will happily throw their weight behind it. We’ll talk.”
Nerves surged through me at the thought of getting involved with something with women of CC’s caliber. As if sensing my shift in mood, she leaned forward and gave me a reassuring smile. “You’ll do beautifully, sweetheart. Really.”
I swallowed around the lump of emotion in my throat. “Thank you.”
As I glanced toward the hallway, she seemed to realize that I was looking for Sterling and she chuckled. “Go find your husband, darling. He’s around here somewhere, probably brooding over a decanter and a chessboard with Callum or Jameson.”
“I’ll go hunt him down.” I stood up immediately, relieved that I was finally free to go find him. It’d only been a few hours, but I missed him something awful. “I’ll tell them all that it’s time to come to the table.”
“Good girl,” she said and pumped her eyebrows at me. “If left to their own devices, they’d keep going about the important business of being men and forget about the little things, like eating.”
Still chuckling as I walked out into the hallway, I made my way toward the study. My heart fluttered when I realized that somehow, despite everything, this ostentatious, huge house that had been so intimidating just weeks ago was starting to feel like home—and the people in it like family.