Page 80 of Beauty
If I told her I found him, I can only imagine the meddling she’d do. She’d be worse than Beckett. For as tough as she is, her love story is epic. Years after the love of her life vanished, he resurfaced and absolutely wooed the shit out of her. Now they’re living the quintessential happily ever after, with three children and a brownstone in the city. But that’s not in the cards for me. Not anymore.
“Well,” she says, knowing me well enough to understand that I’m not interested in delving into my past, “if you are determined to make it in the family business, then there’s one more thing you need to do.”
“And what is that?”
She grins. “Talk to your family.”
TWENTY-SIX
SIENNA
After a celebratory drinkwith Cat to celebrate my new apartment, I text my two oldest brothers, then ask my driver to drop me at Beckett’s house.
Cat is right. I want to succeed in this position, and in order to do that, I need their support and I need to know what they expect from me.
Beckett’s home is filled with life when I arrive. Finn, my eleven-year-old nephew and my brother’s shadow, gives me a nod so reminiscent of my brother’s it’s uncanny. They may not share DNA, but he’s a mini-Beckett to the core. Before I can wave in return, he’s focused on the baseball game playing on the TV.
The twins, who are almost five, rush into the hallway, squealing, with Vivi hot on their heels. Gavin lumbers into the small space next, his arms outstretched and making monster noises.
He dips his chin, though he doesn’t break character as he follows the girls into the living room.
At the kitchen doorway, I stop and peer around the frame, making sure I won’t get bowled over by anyone else involved in their game.
Addie sits at the kitchen counter with a notebook open in front of her, and Liv is pulling out drawers, one after another, muttering to herself. Their kitchen never fails to lift my spirits. The room is gorgeous, with white cabinets up top with brassy handles and marble countertops marred with jagged black lines. The half dozen stools around the island are black, and the lower cabinets are as well. Beckett gained access to the Pinterest boards Liv created while still married to her ex—probably daydreaming of a life she never thought she’d have, only for my brother to eagerly give it to her years later.
God, I love them.
When I realize Liv’s still in the dress and blazer she wore to the office today, guilt gnaws at my stomach. I should have been more respectful of their family time. It is a school night, after all. And this probably could have waited until business hours.
Liv spots me, and her eyes light up. “Oh my god, are you any good at math? Addie needs help. Winnie’s the resident math whiz around here, but she’s not home from debate team yet.”
“Debate team?” I muse, a smile teasing at my lips.
She sighs, her shoulders dropping. “Right? Like anyone in this house needs to hone their arguing skills.”
Beckett appears in the doorway, one brow raised. “Every one of our children should be an expert at winning a debate. It’ll serve them well in the future.” He gives me a peck on the cheek and squeezes my shoulders, then heads for Addie, who looks up at him and grins.
Warmth blooms in my chest as I study my niece. Addie is tiny, with long brown waves cascading around her shoulders. She’s got a fantastic sense of style too. She tends to dress more on the girly side, yet she’s obsessed with hockey. I love that sheproudly displays both facets of her personality. The generation of girls growing up today is given so many more options and is encouraged to be everything they want rather than being pigeonholed.
It gives me hope that even though my background is in fashion, I can eventually find my place in the sports world.
Beckett rounds the counter and buries his face in Liv’s neck, murmuring words I can’t make out.
“I’m thinking Chinese,” she says as he steps away. She drags a menu from the edge of the counter and offers it to me.
“I’m good with whatever.” I take the stool next to Addie and rest my elbows on the cool marble. “Sorry if I threw off your night by showing up like this.”
Laughing, Liv holds out an arm and pans the space. “Do you see my life?”
As if on cue, Gavin and the three little girls tumble into the room, the lot of them screaming.
Beckett snags June and Vivi around the waist and hauls them up, rescuing them from Gavin. That leaves poor Maggie on her own, crying about how Daddy forgot her.
Liv scoops her up and positions her on her hip, then points at Gavin. “Stop scaring them.”
Addie shakes her head. “Why would youwantto come over here?”
Giggling, I swivel to face her. “I heard you’re a little hockey star.”
