Page 45 of A Beginner's Guide to Forever
It’s simple, not overly telling, and doesn’t really hint as to our status. But that’s okay with me. I’ve only just arrived, and if I’m going to get laughed out of here, I’d prefer to have a drink first. Ideally something strong. Plus our status doesn’t exactly have a clear definition.
Hart points to a guy with dark hair and stylish glasses standing across from us. “This is Montgomery Aldrich. Genius-level IQ. He’s developing an app that will probably freaking cure cancer.”
“Monty,” his friend says, lifting his beer.
“Nice to meet you.” I nod.
“Whittaker—a.k.a. Whit—the brooding introvert. You two could probably talk literature for hours.” Whit offers me a shy smile.
Next Hart points to a tall, lanky guy with exceptionally white teeth who’s dressed very well in tailored Givenchy. “Isaac Peddelton—the playboy.”
“Charmed,” Isaac says, taking my hand.
“Vaughn Rothschild. Whip smart and voted most likely to bring the bail money.” Hart points to a delicate-looking girl with blond shoulder-length hair standing a few steps away.
OftheRothschild family? The subtle tilt of Hart’s head seems to answer my unspoken question. Jeez, these people are an entirely different breed.
“Hello,” I say, giving her a small wave.
And on and on it goes, Hart introducing me to the people who are important to him.
“And you know Hayes.” The venom in his voice indicates the descriptor he’d like to add but doesn’t—my asshole cousin.
Hart gets into a conversation with Monty about some coding problem Monty’s run into with his app when Vaughn comes to my rescue.
“You look like you could use a drink.” She smiles.
“Am I that obvious?”
She laughs, shaking her head. “Not at all. Just girl code. Come on.”
Oh, girl code—like I’m twenty-two again.Cool.
I follow Vaughn to the kitchen, even though there’s a bar staffed with two bartenders here in the living room. “Drink of choice?” she asks, gesturing to the counter. They have everything. Unlike the cheap wine my friends and I used to drink at parties, bottles of top-shelf liquor and expensive wine litter the surface.
“Maybe a glass of bubbles.”
She nods, then exits the kitchen to fetch a champagne flute from the row of glass cabinets in the butler’s pantry.
Hayes appears in the doorway, watching me. His expression is guarded. Intense.
“I don’t know what you’re trying to prove by engaging in this little experiment, but I’m onto you.” His tone is icy and filled with venom.
“Excuse me?”
He doesn’t have to say the words out loud; everything he’snotsaid is clear as day. He doesn’t approve of me with Hart.
Vaughn appears from around the corner. “I think I’ll join you, actually,” she says, carrying two champagne flutes.
Hayes disappears as quickly as he appeared, and Vaughn is none the wiser. I’m rattled, but I won’t be intimidated by a spoiled rich boy like Hayes.
While Vaughn wrestles the cork from a bottle of prosecco, I glance around the immaculate kitchen. Sleek wooden cabinets. Polished marble floors. A Viking ten-burner range, Sub-Zero refrigerator. It almost doesn’t seem like this could be real. Is this really Hart’s life? He’s so grounded and shockingly normal. I wonder how often his family uses this home. To think a place this lovely sits empty most of the year is a shame.
Vaughn takes her time filling the flutes, letting the bubbles settle before adding more.
“Thanks,” I say, taking the glass.
“Come on. I’ll show you the view.” She tips her chin, and I follow her out a back door onto a flagstone patio. Carrying our prosecco, we navigate across the lawn, past the sleek sunken pool, and down the steps toward the water’s edge. The waves crashing against the shoreline create an idyllic, entrancing sound. The sun has already set, but the moon casts everything in a brilliant glow.
