Chapter 24
SELENA
In my dreams, I’m walking endless miles through the Bronx Zoo. I’m holding Clay’s teddy bear because he refuses to carry it. I have Cliff’s hand in mine. And beside us, Griffin walks along, offering me sips of Gatorade through a straw like I’m a prize fighter in the late rounds.
I’m mildly impressed that he remains childless throughout the entire day. I think my family is a little afraid of him, but that’s okay. He’s a little afraid of them, too.
“No, I don’t want to ride the monorail again... I’m pregnant and I have gastro-something...” I mumble, still mostly asleep.
“I know.” Griffin’s voice is soft. “I brought you ginger tea and a bagel.”
The scent of toasted bread hits my nose, followed by the sharp, clean smell of ginger. I crack one eye open.
“Salted butter?” I ask.
“With everything seasoning,” he adds with a smile.
“In bed?” I sit up quickly and immediately regret it as the room spins.
He presses me back against the headboard, handing me the plate. “In bed,” he affirms, sliding next to me with a small cup of very strong coffee.
I smile. “Triple espresso?”
He raises his cup. “And unsalted butter on mine.”
“Ugh,” I scrunch my nose. “You have no sense of adventure.”
“Excuse me. I held a three-toed sloth yesterday. I am all about adventure.”
“How are you not sore everywhere?” I ask, feeling like I’m a million years old.
“I work out.” He flexes, and I toss a pillow at him. “And I am sore. Thank God we only have brunch today because I’m going to take a page out of Clay’s book and have a nap after your family leaves.” He gives me a seductive side-eye.
“If you’re thinking what I think you’re thinking, it’s not a nap. It’s an Afternoon Delight.”
“I’ll have one of those too.” He raises his eyebrows.
“We go one night without doing the nasty, and you can’t handle it.”
“I know,” he says, acting shocked. “Seriously though. Have you enjoyed having them here?”
“It’s the first time since I ran away from Landon that I’ve really talked to my sister. It was hard having Celeste mad at me for marrying you, but she gets it now. She likes you. That’s all that matters.”
I take a bite of my bagel. It hits the spot. “This is perfect.”
“Good,” Griffin says. “So does Landon know what happened?”
“I guess my sister told him because his mental health was suffering. He thought I was suicidal.”
“Please,” Griffin scoffs. “My girl might be a runner, but she’s a survivor. She’s not taking herself out of the game.” He squeezes my knee.
I laugh. “I think she told him something along those lines.”
“I hope she told him you’re married to a billionaire.” He puffs out his chest.
“Are you?” I ask. I honestly don’t know.
“Yeah. In assets and investments, yes.” He laughs. “You’re funny. You care so little about my money you didn’t even ask until we’d been married two weeks.”
“A girl has to be polite,” I drawl in a Southern accent.
“Impressive.” He sips his coffee. “I don’t know what she told him exactly. Strange numbers keep popping up on my phone, but I block them. Honestly, I haven’t thought much about him.”
“I hope I’m the reason.” He makes a silly, smarmy face that makes me burst into laughter.
“You definitely are.”
There’s a knock at the door.
“It’s Celeste,” my sister calls out. “I’m making pancakes. How many for you guys?”
“The chefs must love having them here,” I whisper.
“I’m not sure love is the word I’d use,” Griffin mutters. He raises his voice. “You go ahead and serve the family, Celeste. Selena and I have had breakfast.”
“Okay. They’ll be extra if you want some later.”
“Thank you,” he calls back.
I hear her retreat. I feel a little guilty hiding away in our room.
“You have been so nice,” I tell him.
“I feel like I’m almost all out of nice, but thank you. You reset my meter.” He leans over and kisses me.
“Maybe you’re not as mean as you think you are,” I challenge.
“Maybe you just don’t know how mean I can be yet.” He bites his bagel, avoiding the subject.
We shower and prepare for brunch at Beckett’s.
As we pass the kitchen, I expect a mess, but it’s pristine.
Either the staff got to it, or my poor sister wrangled a husband and three kids, made breakfast, and cleaned up—all while pregnant.
I touch my belly and realize that even after my marriage is over, I’ll never have that life.
Griffin would never allow me to do all the work myself.
Scarlett opens the wrought-iron gates of her estate with a smile and a bottle of champagne.
“Welcome to the jungle,” she says, ushering us in.
It is legitimately decorated like a jungle. Blow-up animals, building sets, snacks, and a bounce house in the backyard.
“I heard you went to the zoo yesterday, so we figured, why not be animals today?”
“Wow,” Griffin says. “Beckett agreed to all of this?”
“It’s our summer house. I rule the roost here,” Scarlett declares.
Beckett’s sister, Mia, shows up wearing lion whiskers and a mane headband. “Hi, family!”
Within minutes, the kids are squealing and running around the yard with Cliff, Clive, and Clay.
Scarlett is effortlessly glamorous in a sundress and oversized sunglasses. She loops her arm through mine and hands me a fizzy drink.
“You okay?” she asks gently, steering me toward a shaded lounge chair.
“Just worried about Griffin. How he’s taking all of this. The baby. His expectations for marriage.”
Scarlett sits beside me. “Griffin’s afraid. Power makes him happy; love never has. He’s been a scoundrel for the entire five years I’ve known him. Can I tell you how many pool parties we’ve invited him to?”
“A few?”
“This is the first one.” She looks over at Griffin, who has a cocktail and is chatting with Beckett, Mia, Celeste, and Don.
“He’s trying, Selena. That’s what matters.
If he didn’t care, he would have made an excuse to drop you off.
Instead, he’s sitting in the splash zone getting to know your family. ”
“Is it wrong that I’m starting to really care about him?” I ask quietly.
“I think it’s wrong if you don’t.” She sips her mocktail. “Try it. Mango, passionfruit, and fermented mushroom. Tastes like vodka.”
“Are you tired of being pregnant?” I ask.
“No. Each little life is an experience. I’m not like most women, I admit. But I’m ready to get my body back.” She laughs.
“This pregnancy has been rough, and it’s just starting,” I confess.
“It gets better. You have a lot going on in addition to growing a human.” She pats my back. “And don't worry about Griffin as a dad. Beckett nearly fainted when Rayne was born. Now look at him.”
“I’m pretty sure Griffin is going to skip the birth,” I say lightly. “Kids aren’t really his thing.”
“His kid will be. I promise.”
“I’m scared,” I confess.
“Good,” Scarlett squeezes my hand. “That means you care.”
The pool party is legitimately fun. Griffin doesn't seem too troubled, and by the time the sun sets, we are ready to get my sister and her family to the airport.
“I like him,” Celeste says as she piles out of the town car at JFK. “He’s a billionaire—he even smells like one. Definitely not Landon. But I think he’s a good man, Sel. That’s what you deserve.”
“Thank you, Celeste.” I needed to hear that.
“I hope you can come back soon.” Celeste touches her belly. “We’re going to be busy, and so are you. But I’ve already said yes to being your maid of honor, so I’ll be at your wedding for sure.”
“Of course I want you to be my maid of honor, but I haven’t asked yet. Did Griffin?”
Why would he ask her if we were just doing something small?
“Griffin asked. And he’s keeping the rest a secret, so don’t pry. It’ll be before we have our babies, so I’ll see you soon.”
My head spins. That man makes no sense.
“Please,” I say, hugging her. “I know you have to tell Landon I’m okay, but don’t let him know anything else. I want to put that part of my life behind me.”
“I will. See you soon, sis.”
“I love you.”
I watch my family walk into the terminal. Suddenly, I feel both relieved and desperately alone.