Page 125 of Lumi
“That’s right! It’s not illegal to kiss a woman or share a photo of it with her boyfriend,” Kit said.
Damian scrunched up his face. “Fock it! What do I care if two Hollywood celebrities break up? They’ll have thousands of beautiful people to pick from after that. I say, turn on yer charm, Nathan, and go for it! Let them cry all the way to the bank.”
We collectively cheered.
“What’s going on over there?” Liv called from the kitchen.
Jolene, who stood with Charles and Liv, sighed. “You don’t want to know.”
“You didn’t share the good news without us, did you, River?”
We all looked to River. “What good news?”
“Oh, I want to wait until we all sit down at dinner.”
“It’ll go faster if we all help out,” Jolene suggested.
We carried steamed green beans and carrots, sauce, potatoes, and the large roast to the table. Once we sat down and we were all passing bread, water, wine, and food around, River used her spoon to clink her glass.
“As Liv revealed, I have an announcement to make.”
We were all quiet, waiting for her to continue.
“You are looking at the new face for K.I.P. Fashion House.”
“Whoa!! That’s amazing,” I exclaimed, and we all congratulated her.
“The third-largest fashion empire in the world is paying me millions over the next two years. In return, I’ll do commercials and runway shows.”
Liv raised her glass and beamed with pride. “Congratulations. We’re so proud of you, honey.”
We chatted away with a light energy, and when we reached dessert, Atlas stood up and clinked his glass.
“I have an announcement too.”
I smiled and took Damian’s hand under the table.
“When Jolene and I were in Greece, I asked her to marry me, and I’m happy to tell you that she said yes.”
Screams of joy erupted from Liv, Kit, River, and Saffron, who flew up to hug and congratulate the couple. The rest of us followed.
When we calmed down and returned to the dessert, Saffron wanted to clink her spoon on the glass and make a toast of her own, so we let her and all listened to her short but important announcement.
“I have good news too.”
“What is it, honey?” Charles asked with a soft smile.
“I made four new friends at school already, and they’re nice.”
“Four?” Damian exclaimed. “But didn’t you just start two weeks ago?”
Saffron’s eyes beamed when she lifted her shoulder to her chin with a giggle.
Charles shone with love for his daughter and nodded with respect. “I don’t think I even have four friends. It seems you inherited your mother’s social talent.”
“Awk, Charles, don’t forget that Damian and I count double because we’re such loyal and stellar friends.”
“Well said, sis. Cheers to friends.” Damian clinked his beer bottle against Saffron’s glass of lemonade, and the rest of us cheered along.
“What an amazing day. I can’t believe how much we have to celebrate.” Charles kissed Saffron’s head before looking around. “Jolene and Atlas are getting married, Damian and Lumi are in love, Saffron has made four new friends, and River has landed a major contract because of all her hard work building her business as a model and influencer. I can’t tell you all how proud I am of you all.”
Nathan looked around. “Me too. Maybe I’ll have something major for us to cheer for at some point.”
Liv leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Of course you will, and we’ll be right here to celebrate with you.”
