GABRIELLA
The engine of my little coupe rattled all the way down Mom and Dad’s driveway. The St. Clair family estate loomed up ahead, and on either side of the long, winding, uphill driveway, palm trees rustled in an early evening breeze.
I reached over the steering wheel and gave the dashboard a comforting pat. “You can do this, girl. I know all these hills are killing you. I just need you to hang in a bit longer.”
The car made a low grinding sound that vibrated my seat. I winced, took my foot off the gas, and coasted the rest of the way, passing first the staff house and then the guest house, and coming around the final bend and eventually stopping near the fountain in the middle of the roundabout driveway. I killed the ignition before anyone had a chance to hear the car in its death throes. Mom and Dad were concerned about me enough because I wasn’t living the high life like my older brother. I didn’t need them thinking my car was dying, too.
I got out of the car, muttered a quiet thank you to it for not kicking the bucket today, and moved up to the front door. I didn’t knock. Mom and Dad were expecting me. I pushed open the door and stepped into the grand foyer. Overhead, the crystal chandelier caught the light of the setting sun shining through the second-story windows. Up the grand staircase in front of me, the backlit stained-glass windows glowed in rich reds, vibrant greens, and tranquil blues.
Down the hall and somewhere in the back of the mansion, I could hear voices and laughter.
I slipped off my shoes. “Hello?”
“Hello! Gabriella! We’re on the back patio,” my mother called in her singsong, elegant voice.
I moved down the hall and into the back of the house, which opened up into the kitchen and main living area and broke off into other rooms like the billiard room and Dad’s study. I made a pit stop at the wine bar in the kitchen, where I poured myself a glass of chilled white, and carried on outside, where I found my family scattered all over the place.
Mom lounged in one of the patio chairs looking every part the rich housewife that she was. She wore a silky, copper-colored slip dress that cut off mid-calf, layers of gold jewelry, and a pair of designer sandals. Her attention was fixed on the swimming pool, where little Luna, my niece, splashed in the pool with my older brother.
Beckham hadn’t noticed me. He was far too busy scooping up Luna and tossing her several feet through the air. She’d land with a splash and her water wings would send her popping up to the surface, where she kicked and splashed gleefully and begged for him to do it again.
My mother swept up out of her chair when she saw me. “Hi, honey! We’re so glad you could make it. We were beginning to worry that boss of yours was going to keep you late again.”
“He did,” I said, hugging my mother. She was in the best shape of her life, and I was surprised by new hardened muscles in her back as she gave me a squeeze. Now that Luna was around and she and my father had the lives of being grandparents that they’d been aching for, they had stepped up their health game. Their kitchen staff were in charge of preparing regimented and healthy balanced meals, and their personal shoppers weren’t allowed to bring home any salty or sugary snacks anymore.
At first this news had devastated Dad. He’d always been the sort to relax with a bowl of candied peanuts and a beer. Not anymore.
Mom released me and instinctively reached up to smooth my hair. It must have come loose from its bun when I made the mad dash from the office to here. Not to mention the air-conditioning in my car had crapped out, so I’d made the drive with the windows down.
Mom gave me a thin smile. “Looks like it might be time for a haircut soon. Do you want me to make an appointment with my stylist?”
“No thanks, Mom. I have my own girl I go see.”
“You mean that co-worker of yours who cuts hair on the side?”
I grinned. “Yep.”
Mom shook her head. “Darling, you’re too beautiful to trust just anyone with a pair of scissors and your hair.” She reached up to touch my hair again.
I pushed her hand away. “It’s just hair.”
Dad came out of the house and saved me from my mother’s incessant pursuit of perfection. He gave me a big hug, planted a warm kiss on the side of my head, and invited me over to the outdoor dining table, where a spread of appetizers had been put out. Mostly it was fresh vegetables, but there were also cuts of specialty cheeses served with fruit and low-calorie crackers.
My stomach growled at the sight, and I helped myself to some crackers and cheese.
Over near the pool, Beck hoisted himself up out of the water. He stood at the edge and leaned down, offering his hand to Luna, who he pulled out after him in one fluid movement. She giggled as water poured off her, and he helped her out of her water wings before wrapping her in a towel when her teeth started to chatter.
Luna came running across the grass to meet me. “Aunty Gabi! Aunty Gabi!”
I grinned and dropped to a crouch. “Hey, kiddo! You were swimming like a fish! Did you grow gills since the last time I saw you?”
She giggled shyly and shook her head. “No. Humans can’t grow gills, silly.”
“You could’ve fooled me.”
Luna would turn five at the end of the summer. Ainsley, Luna’s mother, had been planning a birthday party for the ages. Beck seemed excited about celebrating Luna’s birthday, too. It would be her first one with him in the picture.
I poked Luna playfully in the tummy. “Where’s your mom?”