Maggie let out a long sigh, as if she were the one who was exhausted from the conversation. “So, you just stayed the one night in Destin, I presume? Are Vivien and Eli back in Atlanta now, too?”
Crista froze, her heart stuttering in her chest. She knew this moment was coming, knew she’d have to lie. If she told her mother she was here, she’d want to know why she took Nolie out of school and for how long.
It was better she didn’t know. Or only found out after Nolie passed the test—and she wouldn’t have to tell her who the new tutor was.
If she knew it was Tessa Wylie, she would lose her mind. It would be a betrayal too deep for Maggie to forgive.
Crista took a breath. “Yep, I’m back in Atlanta. I haven’t seen Vivien and Eli.” At least not since that morning…on the deck of the Summer House.
The lie felt thick on her tongue, but she pushed the words out, forcing a small, tight smile even though no one could see her. “Anyway, I’ve got to run, Mama. You should rest up before your next big outing.”
“Okay, then, goodbye, sweetheart. Kiss Nolie for me. And Pittypat.”
“I will. Bye!”
Crista ended the call, dropping her cell phone onto the bed beside her. She stared at the ceiling, her heart thumping from the raw, unfetteredguilt. But as much as it twisted in her gut, making her literally feel sick to her stomach, she knew one thing with certainty.
Maggie could not mess this up. Not if it was going to change everything for Nolie.
She took a deep breath, rubbing her hands over her face before sitting up. Downstairs, she could hear the muffled sounds of laughter, of conversation.
She pictured Nolie’s precious face, the way her smile lit up the room and her eyes sparked with pure, unfiltered bliss. It had been so long since she’d seen that kind of joy on her baby’s face.
If the cost of that joy was Maggie’s approval? She might have to pay that bill.
Tessa stepped into Lumière for the second time that week, inhaling the soft scent of roses and French perfume that filled the boutique. Next to her, she saw Lacey take a deep breath, too, squaring her shoulders as though going into battle.
For some reason, the determination and effort this young woman put into their venture touched Tessa.
With a smile, she put a hand on Lacey’s shoulder and added some loving pressure to not merely communicate her confidence in the younger woman, but her trust, too.
“We got this, kiddo.”
Before Lacey could answer, another young woman came out and greeted them, introducing herself as Akari’s assistant. She offered refreshments and took them to a small but tastefully appointed conference room.
She left them alone, sitting across from each other at a table for six.
“I guess this room is for private planning with brides,” Lacey said.
“Or a place for the girl to have an emotional breakdown.”
Lacey laughed. “Weddings do bring out the worst in some women, don’t they? I guess it’s all the stress of demanding perfection.”
Akari swooped into the room, a vision in deep purple today with her long black hair pulled back into a loose bun.
“Who demands perfection?” she asked, catching the end of the conversation.
“I do,” Tessa assured her as they both stood to greet their potential client. “And we brought it today.”
Akari laughed as they shook hands and exchanged small talk, then she took the seat at the head of the table, with Lacey chatting a little more than usual from nervous excitement.
“I’m so thrilled to see what you’ve come up with,” Akari said.
“We think you’re going to love it,” Tessa said, while Lacey took out her tablet and set it up where they could all see it. “It’s something that will truly capture the essence of Lumière and the joy of a wedding celebration.”
Akari clasped her hands together. “Tell me everything!”
Lacey tapped the screen, as they’d practiced, and pulled up the sketches and mood boards they had created.
