Page 24 of A First Sight
Standing very close, in her personal space, and talking. Putting a hand on her arm.
He was flirting with her. Even from where I was standing, no opera glasses needed, I could see it. I hoped that meant he and Maggie had split up. And that the cellist didn’t fall for his charms. I wanted Maggie safe, but I didn’t want someone else to take her place. That, however, was a matter for another day.
TWENTY-ONE
MAGGIE
Carson and Londondidn’t ask many questions about why Dale didn’t come with us, accepting—I hoped—the vague reason I gave for his absence. Work. If anyone could understand the demands of working in the arts in New York City, it was London.
Except I wasn’t sure how much Carson believed. After all, I showed up at his house on Thursday afternoon with nothing but my purse. Fortunately, it had all I needed for the flight, my ID. I didn’t even have to go back to the condo for clothes. I already had the dress for the wedding. It was at Carson’s place since he made it, and he found an entire suitcase of gorgeous things from his studio.
The wedding was as small as a wedding with our massive family could be. My new sister-in-law’s family wasn’t huge, and since my brother, Eoin, was engaged to Freedom’s younger sister, Aline, it cut down the guest list a bit. Still, there were a lot of us at Boaventura de Caires Vineyard.
It was easy to stay out of the spotlight, especially since we had an expectant mother, a relatively new girlfriend, an excited child, and an awestruck teenager besides the bride and groom. And since all the grown children were home too, there were plenty of people to deflect attention whenever I felt under too much scrutiny.
“Happy belated birthday.”
My youngest step-sister, Aspen, plopped down on the chair next to me. Only a month younger than me—almost to the day—we were both toddlers when our parents married and didn’t remember a time when we didn’t feel like twins. We often told people we were. We looked nothing alike, with her raven-black waves and obsidian-colored eyes other than our fair skin. The changes only grew when we hit puberty, and she got her maternal grandmother’s curves.
Aspen was an artist too, though different from both London and me. While we always thought she was brilliant, Aspen felt she didn’t have the skill to make a living as a traditional artist by the start of high school, so she turned her focus to becoming an art restorer. Not surprisingly, she accomplished her goal and was phenomenal. After graduating from college, she went straight to the Armand Hammer Museum of Art, staying there for two years before starting her own company. Now, she traveled the world with Carideo Restorations, sometimes working, sometimes learning.
“Thanks.” I glanced at her as she fanned herself with her hands. She had taken her turn on the dance floor with Da a few moments ago. “Any plans for your birthday?”
She shook her head. “I’m sure the parents will do something. Take me to dinner or something like that.” After a pause, she asked, “What about you? Did you do anything fun? You’re still with that guy, right? Dale?”
I nodded. “We went out to lunch, but nothing else.”
I waited for her to ask me where Dale was, but she didn’t.
“I moved into an apartment last month.” She beamed. “Close enough to Mom and Da that they don’t worry too much, but not so close I have to worry about them ‘being out for a walk and deciding to pop in.’”
I laughed, but couldn’t quite stifle the guilt. I should’ve known she had her own place.
“That’s great,” I said sincerely. “So you’re going to stay here? Open an office for Carideo Restorations?”
“I don’t know yet,” she said. “I’m still trying to decide what I want to do. What about you? Are you still loving playing with the Philharmonic?”
“I am,” I answered automatically. “It’s all I ever wanted.”
Except I didn’t know how true either of those statements was. Was my job indeed theonlything I ever wanted? Didn’t I want more at some point? Maybe a family with a man I loved? I dreamed of a marriage like the one my parents had.
“I’m glad you’re happy.” Aspen reached over and squeezed my hand. “I really want to come to New York and see one of London’s shows and go to one of your concerts. Soon.”
“Soon.” I smiled and returned the squeeze. “I’d love that.”
And I would. I would love to have my ‘twin’ in the audience, show her all the places I liked, and introduce her to my friends.
Except I couldn’t think of any specific person when I thought about friends. Maybe Nehemiah or Irene. They were friends.
And there was Dale. Aspen hadn’t met him. She could meet him, get to know –
The realization—no,acknowledgment, because I knew it before this moment. It hit me. I didn’t want my boyfriend to spend time with my family. I didn’t trust him with my sisters. I didn’t want to risk my family seeing Dale for who he was…because that meant they’d see who I was. Someone who let herself be abused because she was too weak to leave. Someone who sacrificed relationships with her family and had no real friends.
And I was flying back to that tomorrow.
“Excuse me.” I smiled at Aspen as I stood. “Restroom.”
She nodded and was on her feet as well. While I went one way, she headed off to the bar that Brody stocked with the best Shannon’s offered. A drink might’ve been good, but I needed a place to hide more. I was freaking out and didn’t know how much longer I could hold it together.
