Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 96752 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96752 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
This. This is why I left. This feeling of love and hope for people I’ve never met is the reward of this job.
I thought I might regret walking away, but I know I won’t. Not ever. This is what I was born to do.
“You’re fine where you are. Though you really should have put on some blush, Ross,” Patrick announces and suddenly Reid and Jeremiah are here.
And so is Heath. Luca appears next to Ani.
“Hey, guys,” I say, happy but confused. “Aren’t we going to crowd the shot?”
“Yeah.” Ivy is obviously with me on this one. She looks around. “If we’re all here, where are the new owners going to be? Harper’s right. We’re going to ruin the shot.”
I see a limo approaching, and the camera on the crane swoops in, getting the angle they need.
Ivy’s hand comes out, gripping my wrist. “Oh, you’re wrong, Patrick. I know that car. That’s CeCe’s car. I’ll tell her she can’t be here right now. Or maybe I’ll see if she’ll take me to lunch. I’m sorry for the confusion. She’s been weird lately. If I wasn’t certain this could never happen to CeCe Foust, I would say she’s having a midlife crisis.”
“She’s not going to lunch with you.” Heath has the biggest grin on his face. “She’s got some work to do. And you’re not going to screw up the shot.”
Anika looks at me, and there are tears in her eyes. “We are the shot, guys. I’m going to need you to look surprised about all the stuff we’re about to see.”
Reid is beside me, so I turn to him. Like I do all the time now. “What is happening? Do you know what’s happening?”
He nods and looks very emotional. “I do, but you should know I only found out toward the end. Why do you think we suddenly wanted a woman’s opinion on the furniture? We had Ivy pick furniture for one of the homes. I had to put a futon in my gorgeously designed house. Why on earth would we do that? Because this place…this stunning home is ours. All of ours.”
I’m still in shock when the limo stops and Thomas hops out, looking smart in his suit. He gives us a grin and then opens the door and the fabulous CeCe Foust emerges in all her glory. She’s gone all out, wearing a classic suit and a gorgeous Chanel jacket, a pair of Louboutins on her feet giving her height she does not need. She sweeps from the limo and shakes out her long, rose-gold hair. I have no idea how she gets the color, but it’s always perfect.
This woman will always be perfect.
“What did you do?” Ivy asks.
CeCe smiles, and for a moment I forget the cameras are on us. CeCe takes off her sunglasses and reaches out for Ivy’s hand. “My dearest love, I did what any good mother does. What I could. George and I were not blessed with children, though we did try. After he died, I put all of my attention into the business, and that rather changed one day over a decade ago when I went to a school to talk to high school girls about getting a STEM education and I found the three of you. Ivy, of course, was the one I was closest to for years, but when she returned from San Francisco, I truly got to know Harper and Anika as well. Because of you I’ve found a group of friends I never had before. Diane and I bicker from time to time and Lydia makes peace, but we take care of each other. And I realized this was what it means to have sisters. Harper…you said something to me a few months back. You called me one of the moms. I know you joke about it, but I realized how very much I wish I had daughters like you. And then I realized I don’t have to give birth to love you like daughters. I can simply decide to and make it reality. So, daughters of mine, would you like to see your gifts? You never have to worry about having a home. I’ve set up a trust that will pay the property taxes. The real gift is to myself. To keep you close to me and Lydia and Diane. To keep my family together as it grows.”
Tears stream down my face. This is everything I ever wanted. Us together. The people I love safe and happy and secure. “CeCe, I…”
“Darling, we’re on camera. Do you not have waterproof mascara?” CeCe leans in and pats my shoulder. “We’ll get a makeup artist for you.”
There she is. And I wouldn’t have her any other way.
“Come along, my loves,” she bids us. “Diane and Lydia are inside with Lady Buttercup. Let’s do this thing and then we have reservations at Cipriani. We’ll celebrate. And I swear if they try to put us in the back, I shall force them to move the table. Nothing but the best for my girls.”