Page 34 of Crazy In Love
“Look at you, sis.” He pulled me in for a hug.
I pulled back, and Shana hurried over to hug me. She was probably close to five nine, which made me feel very short, even in my heels. Her blonde hair was tied back in a fancy chignon, and she was absolutely stunning.
My mother was always salivating over these two, because they looked like they’d just come from a photo shoot. My brother was a few inches taller than Shana, and he and I shared the same dark brown hair and blue eyes.
“Emilia, it’s so lovely to see you. We’ve got so much to catch up on,” she said.
“She’s been dying for you to get here,” Jacoby said, just as Gram smiled at me from where she was sitting at the kitchen table.
I moved behind her, wrapping my arms around her and kissing her cheek. I loved my grandmother, and I hated that she wasn’t getting around much these days.
My mother walked over to hug me, looking me up and down slowly as she took in my emerald green velvet dress. I’d splurged on this one, as I was going to wear this in the photo shoot I was doing next week to get a profile picture for my new business. And by “photo shoot,” I meant that I’d be getting all dressed up, and Lulu would be taking my photos. She was good with the camera, and I needed something that looked somewhat professional to use on social media and my website.
My mother didn’t host dinners often, and when she did once or twice a year, she asked everyone to dress up. It was just her thing.
“This looks lovely. It fits you like a glove. I swear, no one would ever know that you don’t diet,” she whispered and then kissed my cheek.
My internal voice growled in response.
Always a dig wrapped up in a compliment.
Backhanded compliments were my mother’s gift.
“Thank you, Mom.”
“This girl is too skinny. Stop with the diet talk,” Gram grumped at my mother, and I winked at her.
My father came in from out back, tugging the hat from his head as he beelined toward me. “Hey, sweetheart. You look beautiful.”
I spent the next hour with my mom, Gram, and Shana in the kitchen, making small talk and hearing about a photo shoot that Shana had done for an upcoming clothing company.
I absolutely loved her. She was funny and genuine and cool, all wrapped in this gorgeous package.
My mother was even being pleasant today, probably because she was so thrilled to have Jacoby and Shana here.
“Oh my,” Mom said. “Look out the window.”
The snow was coming down hard now, which wasn’t abnormal for Rosewood River this time of year, but we just hadn’t had much yet thus far. I was grateful that I’d driven here, which I’d done more because of my four-inch heels than because of the weather. But either way, I was glad I’d made that choice now.
I finished chopping the vegetables before tossing the salad in the large wood bowl. My mom pulled the garlic bread and the meatballs out of the oven and placed them in serving dishes, and my brother and Shana moved them to the dining room table, where Gram had already found her way to her seat.
Once we were all seated and we’d passed the platters around the table, the conversation flowed.
“So tell me about this new business of yours. Obviously, if you need legal advice as you get things going, just say the word.” Jacoby placed his napkin in his lap and smiled at me from across the table.
“I completed the licensing, and I’m just sort of letting everyone in town know that I’m open for business. I placed an ad in theRosewood River Review, so hopefully I’ll get some bites off of that,” I said.
“Good. Utilize the paper to offset costs in the beginning. Free advertisement is the best option for a new startup,” he said, and my mother’s eyes widened.
“Well, we didn’t give her free advertising,” Mom said. “That wouldn’t be very helpful when it comes to learning about starting a new business. If she really wants to do this, then she shouldn’t be coddled along the way.”
Gram let out a little gasp and shook her head at my mother as my brother gaped at her.
“You’re serious?” Jacoby asked.
“Well, she makes a good point, son.” Dad shrugged as he scooped some more cranberries onto his plate. “We don’t want to give handouts. That won’t help her make it in the business world.”
“‘Make it in the business world’? I helped you two get your newspaper off the ground,” Gram said as she looked between them.
