The Forever Summer by Jamie Brenner

Author:Jamie Brenner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Published: 2017-04-24T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Six

Happy Fourth of July!” A waiter uncorked a bottle of champagne in Sandra Crowe’s foyer.

“Fancy, fancy,” Nadine said.

There was no kitschy Fourth of July décor in sight. The house was all white and beige and cream.

“It’s a good house,” said Amelia. “Strong bones. Not my taste, but these high ceilings do make for a dramatic space. So where’s your piece, hon? I can’t wait to see it.”

Kelly glanced around. “The dining room, I think? Sandra will show us, I’m sure.”

“Unbelievable what rich people will waste their money on. Never fails to amaze me,” said Nadine.

Kelly threw Amelia a look and said, “Okay. Well, then—I’m off to find the bar. Anyone else need a vodka shot?”

Amelia wanted everyone to get along. It was Kelly’s favorite summer holiday. And now Nadine was being sour and threatening to spoil it. Her daughter obviously had mixed feelings about being back, and that was understandable. Kelly just had no patience for it, which was unlike her.

Something was up with Kelly. Amelia had been eager to talk to her all day about Blythe’s revelation. She’d been involved with Nick! But Kelly had made herself scarce, skipping the parade and instead taking a long solo bike ride to the beach. When she finally got back, she had barely enough time to shower and change for the dinner party, never mind have a long conversation. And now they were at the party and she was already drifting away.

Maybe she was just trying to give Amelia space to reconnect with Nadine. But it was impossible to entirely focus on Nadine when it was Blythe and Marin’s last night. She hated to admit it to herself, but Blythe’s confession that morning affected the way she felt toward Marin; she wasn’t just the product of an anonymous sperm donation. She was a love child. Nick’s love child!

“There you are!” Sandra breezed into the entrance hall, her outstretched, beckoning arms covered in chunky gold bracelets. “The guest of honor!”

She gave Kelly the European two-kiss greeting. Then she turned to Amelia and took one of her hands in both of hers. “It is so lovely of you to make it. Thank you for sharing your magnificent, talented wife with me. I am in love with the piece—in love.”

“Amelia taught me everything I know,” Kelly said.

Sandra clapped her hands together. “You two are adorable.” She turned to Nadine and introduced herself.

“Oh, I’m sorry—where are my manners?” Amelia jumped in and made the round of introductions.

“Are you ready to see my mermaid?” Sandra said. “I’ve named her: Ariel. The Little Mermaid! One of my favorite movies,” she said.

“The cartoon?” said Nadine incredulously.

Amelia bit her lip to keep from smiling.

“What do you think?” Sandra asked Kelly. Amelia knew what Kelly was undoubtedly thinking: that Sandra had turned her mythical Siren into a Disney character.

Before Kelly could respond, Sandra said, “We’re still on for you to do the window in my master bathroom, right? If anyone here tonight tries to steal you away from me, you just let me know.

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