Chapter 22 - Lila #2
“She’s gorgeous, isn’t she?” I asked quietly.
“Undeniably so.”
“She’s single, you know,” I said.
“Seraphina mentioned that.” Dorian chuckled. “Your children must have inherited your proclivity for meddling.”
That made me laugh. “Are we that obvious?”
“I’m going to be brave and actually talk to her tonight,” Dorian said. “Last time she came into the shop, I acted like I’d suddenly forgotten English. It was a disaster.”
“Come on, let’s go talk to her now,” I said.
We wandered over. “Ladies, look who it is—our favorite bookstore owner.”
“Evening. Nice to see you,” Dorian said.
“How’s business?” Gillian asked.
“It’s been steady. Holidays are always good—Christmas gifts and all.”
“That’s good to hear,” Delphine said. “It’s the same for the gallery. I’ve been thinking about hosting a party at the gallery one night in December—see if I can lure people in with wine and cheese.”
“We could team up,” Dorian said.
“Pardon me?” Delphine asked.
“I mean, my shop and the gallery. Like an art walk type of thing—they start at the bookstore and then head to the gallery.”
Delphine, always serious, nodded. “That’s an interesting idea. We should talk.”
“Yeah, great.”
A server appeared with a tray of champagne flutes and oysters on the half shell, breaking the spell.
“First pairing,” Vance announced. “Champagne and oysters—we’re on the coast. Some combinations are simply meant to be. Like Lila and me.”
A ripple of laughter went through the room. Everyone reached for glasses for the first toast of the night.
Throughout the next hour, servers circulated with new pairings—sauvignon blanc with goat cheese and fig crostini, pinot noir with bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with manchego.
The kids had taken over the living room, sprawled on the floor with plates of mac and cheese and sliders.
The doorbell rang one last time, and, when I opened it, Hunter stood on the porch, dressed in jeans, a T-shirt, and a leather jacket.
“I’m sorry I’m late. The bar was crowded tonight, and I couldn’t get out of there.”
“I’m just glad you came,” I said.
He handed me a bouquet of flowers—gorgeous fall blooms in oranges and deep reds. “Congratulations. On everything. Vance and I haven’t been friends that long, but it seems you’ve made a huge difference in his life.”
“He has in mine too. And thank you for the flowers.”
His attention had already drifted past me, into the house. Following his gaze, I saw Seraphina in the hallway talking with Alex, nodding at something he said.
Hunter’s expression softened before he seemed to realize he was staring. He blinked, pulling his attention back to me. “It smells wonderful in here. And your home is exquisite.”
“Thank you. I hope you’re hungry. Vance went a little overboard.”
He smiled faintly. “Can’t wait. Where should I start? Vance said this was a wine and food pairing thing.”
“Dining room. Cheese table. Servers are bringing around the different food and wine pairings, but start with the cheese.”
He nodded and moved past me, but I caught the way his eyes tracked Seraphina as he walked through—and the way she glanced up when he passed, color rising in her cheeks before she looked away quickly.
I knew it.
By eight o’clock, everyone had sampled every pairing, the kids were contentedly full, and Vance gathered us all in the living room.
“Speech time,” Gillian said, settling onto the couch with Alex’s arm around her.
Everyone found seats—on sofas, chairs, the floor. Esme and Grady ended up side by side on the loveseat, not quite touching but close enough that I saw Seraphina and Delphine exchange knowing looks.
Vance stood by the fireplace, pulling me up with him.
“Thank you all for coming,” he said, his hand warm in mine.
“Lila and I wanted to celebrate with the people who mean so much to us. Some of you have known Lila a long time—loved her a long time—and I want to thank you for embracing me. Being part of this crew has been a gift to Margot and me.” His voice caught, and I squeezed his hand.
He turned to me. “Lila, you’re my dream come true. Everything I could ever want is right here in this room—you, the girls. Raise a glass with me—to my future wife and our lovely daughters. Girls, come up here with us.”
Margot and Mia joined us, holding hands.
Everyone toasted whoever was closest to them. Vance kissed me, and the room erupted in applause and whistles.
“We’re getting married the day after Christmas,” Vance said. “Everyone here is invited, obviously. We’re going to keep it simple—well, besides the wine and food. We’ll have the ceremony right here in this room and then share a wedding feast.”
“A Christmas wedding?” Irene pressed a hand to her heart. “Oh, that’s perfect.”
Dorian stood, clearing his throat awkwardly.
“I’ve known Vance my whole life. I never thought the two of us would move back to our hometown at the same time, but I’m glad we did.
Lila, I’ve never seen my best friend so joyful and full of life.
Thank you for allowing me to be part of it. To Vance and Lila.”
My friends got up one by one to say a few words. Delphine said she was skeptical at first but was happy to have been wrong. “Sometimes things are as good as they seem. Or—the man, in this case.”
Gillian cried through her speech, blaming pregnancy hormones. “I’m just so happy for you both. Love changes everything. Makes everything seem possible. Here’s to making wonderful memories together—with your girls, and with us.”
Seraphina, as usual, spoke eloquently about the twists and turns of life, how unexpectedly love can seize one’s heart, and how proud she was of me for not shying away, even after betrayal.
“In the end, we have to keep believing that a better day might be tomorrow. To have faith in God and one another.”
Esme spoke next. “Lila, you’ve been the gentlest and sweetest friend to all of us.
Always steady. Never flashy. The first to bring soup when one of us is sick.
There is no one better to build your life around than Lila.
I’m thrilled you see what we’ve known all along.
To feel Lila’s love is like nothing else.
Cherish each other, as we will continue to cherish you and one another. To friendship, love, and family.”
Irene stood, dabbing her eyes. “When I think back on what my boy went through, it’s amazing to me that he never gave up—continued to get up every morning and keep trying.
If I’d known, Lila, that it was you waiting for him at the end, I wouldn’t have worried as much as I did.
Welcome to our small but mighty family.”
Mia raised her hand. “Can I go?”
I nodded, smiling, wondering what on earth she was going to say.
“I’d like to say you’re welcome, to Mom and Vance. Without me and my friends, you two would never have found each other.”
More laughter.
“But seriously, Vance and Margot—thanks for making Mom and me a family of four. You’re both what I prayed for, over and over. Thanks for being awesome.” She hugged me and Vance, then turned to Margot. “Would you like to speak?”
Margot nodded, looking pale as everyone turned to her.
Her voice wobbled as she began. “Papa was taken away from me for a long time.
So long I thought he might not be real. But then he came back and brought me home.
I remembered a whole bunch of things about my Papa and me—when we were together in France, how he used to sing to me at night, and how I rode on his shoulders when we went to the market.
I thought when I first came here that I might get sent
away because that’s what happened with my mom. But now I have a new mom and a sister and new friends. And a therapist. Who’s helping me a lot.” She turned to face me directly. “Thanks for not sending me away or ignoring me. Also, I’m glad you don’t play golf.”
I would’ve laughed, except I knew the origin of that statement. I held open my arms, and Margot wrapped herself around me, holding tight. When I looked out at my friends, they were all in various states of tears.
When she untangled herself and stood back beside Mia, Dorian called out, “To Vance and Lila. To Mia and Margot. And the new family they’ve become.”
“To family,” Esme said.
“To family,” everyone echoed.
The evening continued with more wine, more food, more laughter. Around ten, the caterers started to pack up. Even though I never wanted the night to end, my friends were tired. Not the kids, mind you—they seemed ready to party all night. But everyone started putting on coats and heading out.
Vance and I stood near the front door, saying goodbye to our guests one by one.
“This was a special night,” Grady said, holding a sleepy Madison in his arms. “I’m thankful to be a part of it.”
“You’re one of us,” I said. “Whether you know it or not.”
Grady’s eyes glistened. “I’m grateful.” He turned to Esme, who was steering Robbie toward the door. “Ready to go?”
“You bet,” Esme said. “I’m glad you’re driving. I’m a little tipsy.”
“The most adorable drunk ever, this one,” Grady said.
Vance held the door open for them, and they slipped into the chilly night.
Gillian, Alex, and the kids left next, followed by Delphine and Dorian. I watched him time it just right so he’d walk out with her. Good for him.
Irene and Robert headed out, promising brunch soon. That left Seraphina, Tyler, and Hunter.
Hunter hovered by the door, watching Tyler help Seraphina into her jacket as he pulled on his leather one.
“Are those calluses from playing guitar?” Tyler asked.
Hunter looked taken aback for a moment, then down at his right hand. “That’s right. Very observant.”
“I play guitar too. I’m not great or anything,” Tyler said. “But my mom and I love music. Especially country.”
“That right?” Hunter asked.
“It’s true,” Seraphina said, tucking her hair from her collar.
Tyler held up his phone. “The others and I looked you up tonight. You’re a songwriter. You’ve written like a thousand songs.”