Page 69 of Constantine: Britain's Story: Part 2
“That’stheJames who delivered all my stuff to your house?!” Jess basically shouts. I laugh.
“Yeah, why?”
“He’s hot! Duh!” Jess exclaims. I laugh again.
Elodie and Jess work to get Eden out of her car seat, but I notice Caroline still staring at the door James just walked through. Liam walks back out and he looks so happy. I just smile.
“Alright, girls,” he calls out to us. “James and I will get all the bags. Carly’s serving lunch, come on in.” As if on cue, my stomach rumbles. So I abandon the cars and head for the door.
“Hey, Liam, this is a cool house!” Elodie is staring up at the large modern cabin before her.
“Thanks, Elodie,” Liam says bashfully.
“Just wait till you see the inside, girls, his fireplace is carved from a boulder and there’s a rope swing on the dock outside.” I don’t want to oversell it, but I hope they like this house as much as I do.
“Oh my god, no way!” Elodie exclaims, nearly sprinting into the house. Caroline plays it cooler, though. She just nods her head, but I see her cheeks turn to cherries when James walksthrough the door just as she’s going in. Jess glances back at me and we exchange knowing looks. I walk past Liam, but he snags my arm, halting me. He pulls me into him, and I know my cheeks probably look just like Caroline’s.
“Bambi,” he starts.
“Yes?”
“I’m going to make you happy, I’m going to take care of you, and I’m going to love you every day.” I wait for the“I promise,”but it doesn’t come. Andthatmakes me smile.
“We’re still not together, though. Just so you know…”
He laughs at me. “I get it, gotta keep your options open.” He releases me with a pat on my ass, and I blush all over again.
When I walk into his house, it’s strange. Everything is new and old, all at the same time. There’s fresh hydrangeas in all the vases and a Trudon candle burning in the foyer. And while it’s just as beautiful as I remember, now there’s the added comfort of home this time. It’s a belonging.
I purposefully avoid looking towards his office as I walk through the great room to find my family in the kitchen with Carly, everyone’s favorite place to be.
“Britain!” Carly exclaims when she sees me. She sets down her whisk to come around the counter for a big hug. “Oh! It’s so good to see you!”
“Hi, Carly! I’m happy to see you, too.” She releases me, giving me her luminous smile, her chestnut eyes shining bright. “Oh, and hey, I met your little brother. He’s such a gentleman!”
She turns bashful. “Aww, thanks. He is, isn't he?”
Jess interjects, “Yes, quite the gentleman. How old is he?” I nudge her with my shoulder and laugh.
“Oh, yeah, he’s 17. Sorry, Jess.” Glad to hear they’ve already made introductions. “Everybody, go sit down, eat! Lunch is on the table!” The girls bound over to the eat-in, but I hang back a moment longer to chat with Carly.
“Liam said you’d be cooking. I didn’t realize we’d get to see you today, but I’m so glad we did.”
“You’re just saying that because you can smell the cake baking…” Carly gives me the side eye with a smile while she keeps whipping cream.
“Maybe…” I reply, returning the smile.
“Well, you’re going to be seeing a lot more of me! Liam hired me full-time for the rest of the summer. So five days a week, I’ll be here to do breakfast, lunch, and dinner!”
“That’s amazing, Carly. We’re so lucky to have you. Honestly, I’ve missed you so much.” She looks at me, probably noting how much weight I’ve lost without her cooking.
“I’ve missed you guys, too. Glad to be back…Now go eat!” I laugh, then sit next to Elodie on the bench.
There’s a family-style spread laid out before us. A greek salad, summer pasta, grilled salmon, and focaccia. And for once I actually want to eat. Jess sits with Eden in her lap, feeding her pieces of bowtie pasta.
“Jess, give me Eden so you can eat.” I hold out my arms to prompt her.
“Nuh uh, girl. You gotta eat first.” I roll my eyes at her, but make myself a plate instead. “James is putting together her high chair right now, anyways. So we’re good. But hey, this is like a really nicecabin.” She uses her one free hand to make air quotes. “As in, I didn’t know cabins could be this nice.”
