Chapter 14 Vance
VANCE
On Monday morning, I took Margot to her first dance class at Gillian’s studio. At first, she’d clung to my hand, but, when she spotted Madison, she ran over to greet her. “Do you see my new ballet shoes? Mia helped me pick them out.”
“They’re pink and perfect,” Madison said, hugging Margot.
Gillian wasn’t there, but I said hello to the teacher and paid the fee for several weeks’ worth of classes. I blew Margot a kiss and then headed out to kill an hour before I had to pick her up.
I walked down to Esme’s shop with the intent to purchase a bouquet for Lila and leave it at the studio for her. Carol had texted first thing that morning that they wouldn’t need me on set after all, which gave me the day free to hang out with Margot.
The morning sun hadn’t burned off the fog yet, so there was a chill in the air. A few leaves on the maple trees were starting to turn, reminding me that fall was not far away. When I got to the flower shop, Esme looked up from a bucket of dahlias, greeting me with a wide smile.
“Vance, what brings you in?”
“Margot’s at her first dance class, so I’m killing time.”
“Oh, Madison’s there too.”
“We saw her. Margot went right over to her, which I can’t tell you how happy that makes me.”
She gave me one of her sunny smiles. “That makes me happy too.”
“Since I’m in town, I thought I’d choose some flowers for Lila. Drop them off at her studio.”
“Great.” Esme wiped her hands on her apron. “What are you thinking? Classic, like roses? Or more of a mixed bouquet?”
“Do you know her favorite flower?” I asked.
“She loves all flowers,” Esme said without hesitation. “The folks out at Wilson’s Farms brought me a new batch of dahlias this morning. As you can see, they’re fantastic.”
“Sold,” I said.
She built the bouquet quickly—dark purple dahlias, a few white hydrangeas, and trailing jasmine vines for their sweet smell. She wrapped it in brown paper and tied it with a silk ribbon.
“Was Lila okay yesterday?” Esme asked. “After the weirdness with Kenzie at the party?”
“Yes. We didn’t waste our Sunday being too worried about it.”
“Oh, I’m glad. Lila’s a deeply private person, and she takes her design work very seriously. It’s art to her, not just a job. And they’re really pushing the chemistry thing with that awful Beau.”
“Yeah, I know,” I said dryly, my stomach twisting at the thought.
“It’s all so slimy.”
“Couldn’t agree more,” I said.
“I hope Lila’s not regretting this whole thing,” Esme said.
My jaw tightened. “I know it’s making me feel a little murderous.”
“Just when I think the world and workplaces have more respect for women, I’m disappointed. When I was working as an admin right out of school, it was daily. Avoiding certain guys. Holding my tongue when I heard them talking about me and not about the quality of my work.”
“I would have thought a show produced by women would be different,” I said.
“Those two are all about ratings. It’s part of their job.”
I nodded, thinking how wise Esme was. Despite her bubbly disposition, she was no fool. “I just hope she’ll get out if it gets to be too much,” I said.
Esme tilted her head, peering at me. “I can’t believe you just showed up—all perfect for Lila, and everything. Makes me think the kids are on to something. Mia was right to choose you. I wouldn’t have thought they’d be so discerning. They’re so young. What do they know about love?”
“They know their moms,” I said, “just as you know them.” I handed her my credit card. “Does it make you more open to putting yourself out there? Putting your profile back up?”
“Maybe. I can’t decide if it’s worth the trouble. But if Robbie and the others chose someone for me, I might be more open to it than I thought I’d be—given how great they did with you.”
“I really appreciate you saying that.” I was truly touched.
“My pleasure. Now off you go. I have thorns to remove from some roses.”
I thanked her again and then headed out the door. As I stepped onto the street, Robbie appeared with a bag of something from the bakery and a coffee—probably for his mother.
“Hey, Robbie,” I said. “How are you this morning?”
“I’m fine. Somewhat fatigued after being up so late Saturday night,” Robbie said, sounding like a grumpy old man. “I exhausted myself giving everyone roasting lessons. Bella refused to take my advice, which flummoxes me, as she continued to turn a perfectly good marshmallow into char.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“There’s nothing to be done.” Robbie was gazing at me, eyes narrowed. “Are those flowers for Lila?”
“They are.”
Robbie nodded, his expression serious. “That is an excellent decision on your part. She loves flowers. And they’ll make her feel special.”
“That’s the goal,” I said.
“Women’s love of flowers is somewhat mysterious to me, but it’s a known fact.” Robbie continued to look up at me. “Did you know I did an analysis of your profile and Lila’s to see how compatible my predictors are? You came in at ninety-eight percent. Extremely high.”
“I don’t need a spreadsheet to tell me that, kiddo. But Mia mentioned your analysis to me. Well done.”
“Please let me know if I can be of further service.” Robbie bobbed his head and off he went.
A few minutes later, I was outside Lila’s design studio, flowers in hand. The door was propped open slightly, and I could hear voices inside. Hers. And a man’s.
Sun streamed through the windows, bathing swaths of fabric, boards pinned with samples and paint chips, sketches laid out across a long table in light.
Lila stood at her desk, flipping through a binder.
Beau stood close behind her, one hand resting on the back of her chair, the other gesturing as he talked. Too close.
I had to keep my head. But it was going to be hard. I was a passionate, imperfect man, and I did not like how close he was to her.
“I’m just saying, if they want the sparks, we might want to practice a little off-screen,” Beau said.
“That way you wouldn’t have to fake it. And from what I can see, you’re not that good of an actress.
C’mon, it’s harmless. You and me, playing it up a little.
Everyone loves a good slow burn.” He lifted a tuft of her hair from her neck.
She scooted off her chair, her voice strained. “I’m not interested in anything of the sort. We need to keep this professional.”
“Is this because of wine guy? Because I can tell you, I can spot a playboy a mile off,” Beau said.
I cleared my throat and stepped all the way inside the studio, pretending I hadn’t just witnessed the exchange. “Hey there.”
Both of them turned toward the entrance. Lila looked relieved. Beau’s mouth curved into something that tried to pass for a smile.
“Vance, what brings you by?” Beau asked. At least he had the decency to look guilty.
I ignored him, focusing my attention on Lila, setting the bouquet on the table in front of her. “These are for you.”
She took hold of the bouquet, sniffing. “Gorgeous. Thank you.”
“Esme’s a wonder,” I said. “May I speak to you alone?”
Beau held up his hands. “I’ll go grab us some coffees.” He walked past me, slow on purpose, and clapped me on the shoulder as he passed. “You know her coffee order yet?”
I didn’t respond.
“Double cappuccino. One sugar,” Beau said, as if that made him an expert on all things Lila.
I didn’t move. Just turned enough to meet his eyes. With steel in voice and my jaw so tight I might chip a tooth, I said, “How considerate of you.”
Beau’s smile vanished, just for a second. Then it was back. “That’s me.” He stepped toward the entryway. “I’ll be back in six. We can get back to work as soon as he leaves.”
After he was gone, Lila let out a shaky breath. “Did you hear what he was saying to me?”
“I did. You okay?”
She nodded. “I just want him to leave me alone. But I went to Carol this morning—about him and Kenzie. She told me to suck it up, and welcome to show-biz. Whatever that means.”
I cursed under my breath. “This is ridiculous.”
“I know. But I keep thinking what a good opportunity it is for me. For us.”
I stroked her cheek. “I understand. But remember, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”
She looked up at me, her eyes glassy. “I was thinking this morning that maybe you’re right. I should just bail on the whole thing. On the other hand, an opportunity like this won’t come around again.”
“We’ll talk more tonight, okay? And I’ll check in with Alex. See if his guy found anything on Kenzie.” I gave her a quick peck. “Text me if you need anything.”
“Will do. Thanks for checking on me. And the flowers.”
“I’d buy out the whole shop for you if you wanted that.”
She rolled her eyes, smiling indulgently. “Off you go, you ridiculous man.”
I blew her a kiss and headed out.
That evening, I sat with the girls on the couch, waiting for Lila to come down.
“You look good,” Mia said to me. “I like the vibe.”
“What vibe is this?” I glanced down at my cotton trousers paired with a linen blazer over a cream colored button down.
“Kind of beach old school. You look great.”
“You’re very handsome, Papa,” Margot said.
We all turned as Lila walked down the stairs.
She wore a little black dress, sleeveless and fitted, showing off her strong, sculpted arms and legs.
Her black pumps gave her petite frame some height, and her hair was swept into a classic chignon that made her cheekbones stand out.
She looked timeless, elegant, breathtaking.
My pulse kicked up a notch.
“Mom, you look like a movie star,” Mia said.
“The most beautiful movie star in the world,” Margot echoed.
Her eyes met mine briefly, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. “Thank you, girls. That’s very sweet.”
Mia grinned like a kid at Christmas. “Told you, Mom.”
“Don’t be a show-off,” Lila said, with an indulgent glance in her daughter’s direction, then turning to me, “She picked out the dress.”
“You did very well,” I said, winking at Mia.
“Delphine just got here,” Lila said. “Looks like she has pizzas.”
“Yay,” Margot said.
“Lock the doors tonight,” I said. “And keep the shades down.”
They agreed just as Delphine and Annie knocked on the door.
“Have fun, guys,” Mia called. “We won’t wait up.”
We were seated in a candlelit corner booth at the Tidewater Grill. The low lighting flickered against the polished wood and crisp white linens. A string quartet played softly near the bar, and the ocean breeze drifted through the open windows, bringing its briny scent.
I ordered oysters and a bottle of white wine while Lila settled into the plush leather seat across from me.
We’d just ordered our entrees when I saw Kenzie and Beau. I cursed under my breath.
“What is it?” Lila asked.
“Look who’s here.”
“Oh no,” Lila whispered.
What were they up to? Had we said where we were going tonight?
Yes, we had. And now here they were, breezing through the entrance like a pair of high-rollers.
Beau had traded his tool belt for a designer Henley and too-tight jeans.
Kenzie wore a slinky halter dress and heels that looked engineered for maximum attention.
Beau’s eyes locked on Lila like a missile.
“Hello hello,” he said, striding over. “I didn’t know you lovebirds were dining out tonight.”
Kenzie clapped her hands. “This is too fun. Can we join you if I promise not to talk shop?”
Across from me, Lila’s expression went from relaxed to tense in a nanosecond.
Before I could wave them off, Beau slid into the booth beside her, as Kenzie did the same on my side.
“Listen, guys, not to be rude,” I said. “But we’re on a date.”
Lila gave a tight nod, eyes down. “Which means, you’re not invited to sit with us.”
“We’ll just stay for a drink,” Kenzie said. “And I have good news that you’re going to want to hear right away.”
“Yeah, wait until you hear this,” Beau said.
“I just got off the phone with the producers,” Kenzie said, practically vibrating with excitement. “They love what we have so far for the pilot. They’re excited to see more. Lila, you’re going to be the premiere of the season.”
Lila blinked. “What?”
“They love the chemistry, between you and Beau. And we used the footage we have to put together a trailer, which we put on social. You’re trending like wildfire already. They want to do a full promo push starting next week.”
Beau grinned. “Guess we’re the golden couple of the season.”
My hand tightened around my glass. Couple?
Lila looked like someone had pulled the ground out from under her. “But I thought they wanted to see the pilot first?”
Kenzie waved it off. “Plans change. You’re the buzz. And we’re doubling your social coverage—behind-the-scenes clips, exclusive interviews, flirty reels. This is going to be life-changing. For all of us.”
Beau flagged the waiter and ordered another bottle of wine. “They love the dynamic between me and you, babe. In fact, they want to fuel rumors of our romance before the show airs.”
Lila’s lips thinned. “I don’t want that.”
“Sure you do,” Beau said, grinning. “Don’t you want to be rich?”
“I don’t want my private life all over social media,” Lila said. “Especially since it’s all fabricated.”
Kenzie leaned in. “You two might need to cool it on the public dates, okay? We want everyone to be speculating about you and Beau, not our first renovation subject.”
Lila shook her head. “That’s not what I signed up for.”
I was about to step in when I caught movement from the bar.
A man with a camera. Not a phone—an actual DSLR with a long lens. Pretending to scroll, but angling the camera toward Lila and Beau.
I leaned in. “Don’t look, but there’s a guy taking pictures. Of you. And Beau.”
Her head turned slightly, her face going pale.
Kenzie didn’t even flinch. “Just a little buzz-building. It’s good PR.”
“You set this up?” I asked.
Beau grinned. “Kenzie’s like a legit genius.”
“I cannot believe this,” Lila said.
I stood, my voice calm but sharp. “We’re going. You can pick up the bill, since you’re such a genius.”
Lila leapt up, knocking a knee against the table.
“Get me out of here,” she whispered.
I helped her from the booth, shielding her from the camera as we walked out. Kenzie’s voice trailed after us like perfume: “Think of the ratings!”
Outside, the wind off the ocean hit like a reset button. Lila exhaled shakily.
“I can’t believe they did that.”
“I can. I’m starting to get how they operate.” I waved the valet over to get my car.
While we waited, she moved closer to me, then snuggled against me, letting me wrap an arm around her.
“I hope there’s some pizza left,” she said in a small, sad voice.
“If not, we’ll order some more,” I said, kissing the top of her head.
“I’m sorry they ruined our night.”
“Not ruined. As long as I’m with you, it’s still a perfect night.” As sincerely as I meant what I said, it clearly did nothing to alleviate Lila’s anxiety. I feared she was at her breaking point. And what happened if she got there?