“Lose? I wasn’t aware he’d lost one in the first place.”
“You know what I’m saying. He’s young. He needs stability, and this situation can’t possibly give it to him.” She turned to the door. “Bring Sera to the wedding. I like her. But please don’t bring that innocent baby into our mess of a family.”
He didn’t understand her pessimistic attitude. “Has it ever occurred to you that messes can be cleaned up? Aunt Celeste seems to be trying. I know the last few years have been hard on you.”
She shook her head. “You don’t know anything, Harry. You think our family works like yours did, but you’ll learn. I just hope you don’t take Sera and her son down with you.”
She let the door slam behind her, and Harry stared at it. Shep huffed and settled down as though glad to be getting back to the serious business of napping.
Maybe it was the stress of the wedding. He hoped that was all it was because something seemed to be simmering under Angie’s surface, and it worried him.
Was he being fair to Luc by going so fast? He had no intention of hurting that kid. He wanted to know him better, wanted to be someone Luc could depend on, might even want to call Dad someday. That’s what Angie didn’t understand. He was serious about Sera and that meant he was serious about Luc, too.
His cell phone buzzed and a picture of Sera came on the screen. Angie was wrong about a lot of things. They could make this work. But she was right about one thing. If this was some kind of plot of his aunt’s to break them up, she would find out they were far more solid than she imagined. He slid his finger across the screen to accept the call. “Hey, gorgeous. I was thinking about you.”
“Were you?” Her husky voice sent a thrill through him. “Now just what were you thinking about?”
He let go of his worries. “I was thinking about how long it’s been since I kissed you.”
“Too long,” she replied. “Maybe we should fix that. But first we have to talk about your aunt. She’s making me crazy. What’s her problem with jumpsuits? She’s sending me a bunch of e-mails.”
And then Sera was off and he had way more problems than his cousin’s weirdness.
It was going to be okay. He wouldn’t accept anything less.
To: Seraphina Guidry
From: Celeste Beaumont
Re: Scheduling
I have attached the following schedule of events Harry is expected to attend in anticipation of Angela’s wedding. You should be appropriately dressed for each occasion. You will notice I’ve had my assistant include a symbol which will let you know the preferred dress length for each party or soiree. Please reply so I know you have received and understand the instructions.
To: Celeste Beaumont
From: Seraphina Guidry
Re: The royal wedding schedule
Celeste, I received your instructions and have noted each date in my planner. You seem to have forgotten that it is the twenty-first century and women can now wear pants. I’ve got the cutest jumpsuit with sequins I’ve been dying to show off.
Thank you sincerely for including me. I will try very hard not to embarrass you. I assure you that, having worked in the restaurant industry most of my life, I know which fork to use. I also know how to use a knife. In case you were wondering.
Sera
Your aunt just sent me a schedule for ten events I’m supposed to attend, including a reception at the Jaycees Club. I don’t even know what that is. And why are we burying a perfectly good bottle of bourbon in the yard???? Help.
Harry
Baby, I know nothing about these wedding things. I’ve been told my only job is to make sure Cal doesn’t drink too much, and to tackle your brother if he shows up to spike the punch with moonshine. Obviously, she’s talking about Zep, not Remy. Oh, and my aunt lost her mind because she now wants to make Shep the ring bearer since Austin’s two-year-old niece threw up on her Hermit handbag. Or Hermes. Or something. It was a thing. The long and short of it is I have to find a tuxedo for my dog.
To: Seraphina Guidry
From: Celeste Beaumont
Re: Proper Attire
I understand that we are living in a dying hellhole of a century where ripped-up denim is considered proper dinner attire. I know it is hard for young women to resist the peer pressure to attend special events decked out like a disco ball walking on two legs. Jumpsuits are for prison inmates. I’ll make it easy for you. We’ll go shopping together. I’ve made an appointment at a shop in New Orleans. The directions are attached. I will meet you there as I have business at corporate headquarters that day. You are representing the Beaumonts and you need a Beaumont-approved wardrobe.