Page 191 of The Grand Duel
I smile nervously at the three men and two children, feeling like I’ve stepped into the lion’s den at the zoo.
Mason comes to where we stand and gives me a wide smile. “It’s great to see you again so soon, Lissie.” He leans in and kisses my cheek.
I feel Charlie’s eyes on him the entire time.
My attention is captured by the little girl in Mason’s arms, though. Who, the second she’s close enough, launches herself at Charlie.
The two men swap children as if they’ve done it a million times before. “Hey, Ave.” He leans in and kisses her forehead, his hold on her gentle, familiar.
She seems to be a year or so younger than the little boy. Scarlet’s daughter, Waverley, if I remember correctly, although they call her Ave.
Elliot comes and wraps me in the type of hug you’d give an old friend. Someone you’ve known for twenty years. It’s unexpected. It’s…nice.
“I’ve been warned to be on my best behaviour this evening, Lissie.” He pulls back. “But I can’t make promises when this handsome man surprises us with such a special guest.” He smiles across at his friend. “Evening, Charles.”
“Montgomery,” Charlie mutters, a warning gaze directed at Elliot, who just smirks back.
“Oh my goodness, give the girl a chance to get in the door. What is this?” A blonde-haired woman steps out of the room Elliot had come from, her eyes widened and on me as she walks between the three of them. “Lissie, it’s so nice to meet you.”
“Hi,” I say, smiling. “It’s Lucy, isn’t it?”
“It is! Has Charles been talking about us as much as he has about you?” She looks to him.
I chuckle. “Yes.” I look up at him, too. “Briefly. But it was your fiancé who was showing me your picture when we ran into each other at The Montwell last week that put a face to the name.”
“That was sneaky,” Elliot says, pointing across at me with a smile. “You never told me you were there to buy a whole house.”
“That’s not on her,” Mason pipes up. “When she called and asked to meet with the both of us, I told her what a fucking idiot you are and that we’d leave you out of it.”
Elliot gives his business partner the finger and pulls Lucy into the crook of his arm.
She goes willingly, kisses his cheek, and then quickly pulls away. “Lissie, excuse them. Come meet the girls.” Her hand latches onto my forearm, and I lock eyes with Charlie.
He nods in reassurance, but it does nothing to reassure me.
I’m terrified.
We enter the room they all filtered out from—the kitchen. It’s modern, with a farmhouse feel, and a large centre island in the middle. There’s food covering almost every surface, the smell of it divine and making my mouth water.
“It’s snot, Scar babe.” The woman chuckles. “Go and change it.”
“It’s cheese sauce.”
“It’s not! Ellis and Ave are full of a cold, and why would you get cheese sauce on your shoulder?”
“Girls,” Lucy sings.
The two women turn from their spot at the Rayburn. Their eyes widen and then relax.
“Lissie!” the brunette says, coming at me with open arms. “I’m Nina.” She rubs across my back and then pulls away, looking me over. It definitely gets a little bit weird, but then she twists and gestures towards the lavender-haired woman. “This is Scarlet.”
Scarlet—the one whose boyfriend, or not boyfriend, is in prison. “Hi,” I say, feeling a little apprehensive with the way she’s not moved from her spot. “It’s lovely to meet you all.” I swallow, feeling like I have to fill the short beat of silence that comes. “I’m sorry about what I’m wearing. I wasn’t expecting to be invited to dinner, and I was out at Charlie’s cottage mucking around, so now I’m covered.”
The three of them smile at once. “Please,” Nina tells me. “Scar is snot-covered, and I’m still in my tights.” She points to her legs where she looks to be donning a pair of shiny ballet tights. “You’re fine.”
“Shall we plate up?” Scarlet asks, nervously looking between the other two girls.
Nina nods and joins her again, leaving Lucy and me standing at the kitchen island watching. “Can I get you a drink, Lissie?” she asks me, her smile as bright as her fiancé’s was before.