Page 1 of Handsome
1
Cyrus
Once again, I stood outside the beach house of our childhood in Virgin Cove and saw the lights were on in the dining room. Last time I had patient calls when I arrived for the weekend, so I took the limo.
This time I parked my Aston Martin, the sleek, low-slung beauty that always made me wish I was more of a James Bond than a heart surgeon.
As soon as I heard laughter, I headed to the door and let myself in to avoid having the butler announce me. He saw me and directed the staff to get my numerous bags, which was why I was late.
Unlike the others, who only intended to stay the weekend, I was here for an indefinite stay.
As I entered the dining room, I saw my eleven brothers, along with the wives of two of them, and Arman’s new stepdaughter who he’d claimed as his own, just as Maman and Pedar had claimed all of us as theirs, even if half my brothers were adopted.
We all looked different, but on the inside, this group of men, along with Maman andPedar, were my rock.
Tonight my brother Arman practically glowed, his happiness reflected in everyone. He’d always been the golden son.
I walked over to him, squeezed his shoulder, and asked, “So, when’s the wedding?”
He jumped to his feet and hugged me while my mother beamed, and for the first time all week, my soul was at ease.
So far, all attempts to get Leah to speak to me about our infant son had failed, but now I’d cleared my schedule at the hospital, and I would not leave Virgin Cove without having that discussion and holding my son.
Arman’s fiancée and soon-to-be bride, Maddie, answered my wedding question. “Well, first we have Joel and Kendal’s formal New York wedding, which I’m planning. And Arman and I want our wedding here, at the beach.”
Joel and Kendal had privately eloped months ago now,and now would have their formal wedding this month.
Arman asked, “So, Maman, can we host it at the house?”
I glanced at Maddie, who probably believed she’d be able to manage something low-key, but in the Norouzi family, our celebrations of birthdays, accomplishments, and now weddings made the world stop and take notice.
Maman said quickly, “Whatever you want. We might have some guest yacht parking problems, but we’ll figure it out.”
“We will,” Arman said, and hugged his soon-to-be bride.
Maddie then addressed us like she was already part of the family, telling us to sit as she said, “And I want to do as much of the planning as I can. I need to have three weddings in my portfolio to get my wedding planner certificate.”
As soon as Pedar—Parvis Norouzi to the rest of the world—and Maman—Roxanne—scooted their chairs in, the servers brought in our champagne and salads. I took my seat opposite Arman and beside Warren, though we still filled only a fraction of the dining room my mother was determined to fill with family.
Maman held up her glass and said, “Maybe Cyrus will be next.”
My face heated as I said, “Let’s not discuss me. Isn’t Warren’s birthday coming up? Does it have to be weddings?”
Maddie’s eyes twinkled when she reminded me, “I need to plan three weddings to get my certificate.”
I glanced at her. As a girl she’d been like the sister I never had, and now she’d been with joined to Arman for a few years, it seemed she wanted to be my sister again——by teasing me mercilessly.
Warren shook his head and said, “Don’t make a big deal of my birthday.”
I laughed and held my glass up to toast. “Warren, everything in your life is a big deal.”
He rolled his eyes like he was annoyed, and adrenaline rushed at the confirmation that I’d hit my goal. Then Warren said, “No, but Cyrus, don’t be so serious all the time.”
Score one for him. Overthinking had always been one of my negative traits.
Pedarlifted his glass and said, “To Maddie, for rejoining us, and to Kendal, for sticking with Joel.”
“Finally!” Kir called from the middle of the table, while Charles and Jeff laughed. Kir, Charles and Jeff competed about almost everything, always claiming it was their way of breaking out of the middle together.
