Chapter 5

FIVE

“Alexandra, you wanna move a little faster?”

I bite my tongue, then wipe the sweat off my forehead, ignoring his thick accent which has escalated to yelling from the kitchen. I should be grateful he at least spoke to me in English because he usually barks orders in French, making it hard for me to catch everything without asking someone for help.

Weeknights weren’t usually this busy, but some soccer game finished, and fans wanted to celebrate. They entered the bar in droves, ecstatic over their win. We are short-staffed, and I was supposed to end this shift two hours ago. My plan was to go back to the room I’d been renting for the last month and get some sleep before catching a train out to Champagne tomorrow to see my family.

Everyone is flying in for Masen and Addy’s wedding. As I agreed to be a bridesmaid at the wedding, there’s no way I can miss it. I don’t exactly want to show up with bags under my eyes from the back-to-back shifts I pulled this week. It’ll give my sisters ammunition to lecture me with his whole ‘life ain’t so easy without Daddy’s money’ speech.

Boy, I know it. I’m so exhausted I could just fall asleep right here in the middle of this busy bar. The struggle is real.

It’s been four months since I left home for the trip of a lifetime. Okay, sure, there have been some fun moments if you ignore the whole being responsible and working thing.

In the months which have passed, I’ve worked three different jobs. The first was at a small café in London. I did pretty well for my first job abroad, considering I’d never made coffee in my life. It didn’t take me long to pick up, and by the time I moved to Italy, I enjoyed drinking coffee, having smelled it all day long.

Italy was much harder to navigate, given I didn’t speak Italian and relied on my phone to translate. For the first time since I left the States, I began to feel homesick. Everything felt completely different and communicating with people was so hard. Some days, I just gave up in frustration and retreated to the small room I shared with three other girls. Two of them were from the east coast, and the other from New Zealand.

They were nice enough to hang out with. We spent a week together sightseeing, then found ourselves a good-paying job at a restaurant in Milan. Given we were kitchen hands, it wasn’t exciting or life-changing, just enough money to take us on our next adventure.

I promised to meet up with them in Greece next month, once I’m done with my time in France.

“Alexandra, vite!”

The manager yells at me to hurry. By the end of the shift, I could barely move my legs, and I smelled of grease among other things. Eric was so right when he said you get to a point when you question your need for deodorant because of the desire to eat a decent meal. I thought about it, but the idea of working up a sweat unprotected didn’t sit right with me. So, I wasn’t eating fancy ass healthy meals, big deal.

I slept like a baby, only barely making it to the train station in time. With all my items safely with me, the train ride is supposed to take just under two hours.

As the train pulled out of the station, I found myself staring out the window, deciding not to fall asleep in case I missed my stop. If there’s anything I’m looking forward to, it’s the big comfortable beds at my parents’ château. Also, showering without a time limit and wondering if some perverted person is peeping through the makeshift peephole I found once in the bathroom.

It’s funny how your mind can just drift for hours on end. Before I know it, my stop is next. Mom said she would pick me up at the station since my sisters were busy and Dad was at some winery he owns doing business, of course.

When the train stops, I see Mom waving on the platform. She looks exactly the same, maybe even younger if that’s possible. Her mousy brown hair has grown out a little, and she looks fantastic in the camel-colored maxi dress she’s wearing. Maybe I should have worn something more fun besides my denim shorts and boring old white tank, but most of the clothes inside my backpack are dirty since I was too busy to hit the laundromat this week.

My heart races as I find myself running off the train and into her arms. The moment she embraces me, her familiar smell feels just like home.

“I missed you, kid.”

I hold onto her tight. “Missed you, Mom.”

She pulls back to examine me better. Her brows draw together into a worried expression. Here we go, a lecture is just about to come out of her mouth.

“Oh, Alexa, have you been eating?”

“Yes, Mom.” I huff with an eye roll. “I’ve just been on my feet more.”

“Okay, okay,” Mom says while motioning me to follow her to the car. “I’ve got four days to enjoy you and make sure you eat.”

The drive through the countryside is relaxing. Mom and I texted almost daily, but it’s nice to hear her complain about my sisters in person.

“Addy is a dream bride,” Mom begins with, then continues. “Is it possible for Eric to be a bridezilla even though he’s not the one getting married?”

“Hmm … I think that’s just called Ericzilla.”

Mom laughs. “I dare you to call him that to his face.”

“I’m sure someone will.” I chuckle.

The familiar stone château appears on my right. Mom takes the turn into the long driveway lined with trees. As a child, I loved visiting and would often pretend I was Rapunzel trapped in the tower waiting for my prince. I can’t help but laugh. Who the hell wants to wait for a man, and what about all the split ends having to maintain such long hair? I swear fairytales are so impractical and pathetic.

After Mom parks the car, a black Mercedes pulls up behind us. When the dust settles, the door opens, and my father steps out wearing a gray suit. It’s a little less formal, given he’s wearing no tie. His tall stature stands out as he glances at me with a small smile. Like Mom, he appears to look younger. What is with these two? Maybe with me gone there’s less stress, and they’re probably having the time of their lives.

Don’t even go where you’re about to go.

His expression doesn’t look welcoming. I don’t even get a big ‘I miss you’ greeting as I did with Mom. Ignoring the unsettling feeling inside my chest, I remember who I’m dealing with.

“Alexa,” he voices in a low tone. “I’m glad you could join us.”

He opens his arms, and even though I reluctantly go in for the hug, his aftershave reminds me of all the times he held me as a child. The times I fell over and cried, to when I just wanted to sit in his lap for his attention because my sisters weren’t around.

I pull back, not wanting to get all nostalgic, lingering too long already. “Nice to see you, Dad.”

Mom purses her lips, almost annoyed with him, but he ignores her and turns his back to enter the house. I bow my head for Mom to place her hand on my shoulder. It shouldn’t have hurt, seeing him ignore me like I’m a nobody, but the pang in my heart argues it does.

“He hasn’t been doing well since you left. Don’t be fooled by his stubborn exterior. You know him well. It takes him a while to adjust to things.”

My mouth remains closed since there’s no point in arguing. Been there, done that.

Lex Edwards is being typical, Lex Edwards.

We enter the château through the large wooden arched doors. The noise from the chatter and laughs is the first thing I hear. All my sisters and their families are sitting around the living room. The kids are the first to greet me, running toward me and grabbing my legs because that’s all they can reach. I throw my bags on the ground, leaning down to hug each one of them.

“Auntie Alexa,” Archer calls while squashing his little face. “You look funny.”

Great—nice greeting, kid.

“Archer, that’s not nice,” Ashton scolds his little brother. “Daddy says you must always compliment a woman especially if you want someone.”

I purse my lips, trying to hold back my smile. “Is that what Daddy said? It sounds to me like Daddy is often in the doghouse.”

“A doghouse?” Archer questions then laughs. “Daddy doesn’t fit in our doghouse!”

My hands reach out to ruffle Archer’s mousy brown hair. Will and Millie’s sons have grown so much. They’re talking a mile a minute, but I hear the word Pokémon come up, and I’m tuning out.

Their youngest son, Alexander, takes steps but is unsteady on his feet. He’s so chubby I just want to eat him. From the cheeks to those thighs. I reach my arms out to cuddle him, but his face breaks out into a loud cry. I have never felt more attacked by stranger danger than I have right now. Way to go, chubby.

Ava’s daughter, Emmy, is standing on my left like a little princess in her purple tutu. I reach down to grab her, swinging her in my arms. She looks exactly like Ava, it’s crazy. Ava’s youngest daughter, River, is asleep in the stroller which is sitting in the corner of the room. She looks more like Austin, two very different-looking sisters.

“Aunty Alexa, when are you coming home?” she asks so innocently before resting her head on my shoulder.

I move a strand of hair away from her face and ignore the tightness inside my chest. The idea of traveling to gain some freedom from my parents was great, until the reality of who else I left behind begins to sink in.

“Soon, I promise.”

Will is next to greet me, surprisingly dressed so casually. He’s usually in a suit and out with Dad doing billionaire business.

“What is this? Will Romano enjoying a holiday and not working for once?” I tease.

His forced smile turns into annoyance. “I’ve been instructed to relax which means no business.”

I can’t help but laugh. “It’s hurting you, I can see.”

“If Lex is allowed to work, why can’t I?”

“I dunno, sounds like you’re pussy whipped. It’s what happens when you marry those needy young girls.”

Will chuckles then hugs me. “Good to see you, sis.”

A nervous-looking Masen joins us. For someone getting married tomorrow, I guess it’s expected, but I find it amusing given he’s always been a cocky bastard and for once he looks like a wreck.

“You okay? You look nervous.”

Masen pulls back with a grin. “Your family is a lot.”

“Trust me, I know.”

Ava jumps off the sofa, wearing a short denim jumpsuit that would look great on me in Greece. Note to self: raid her room later.

“Well, well, well,” Ava says with a smirk on her face. “Look who’s at a family event for once. And stop eyeing my jumpsuit. If you really want it, you can have it.”

I go in for a hug, in which she squeezes me super tight until I can’t breathe.

“Ava,” I choke, “you’re squashing me, and yes, I do want your jumpsuit.”

She finally lets go. “You’re too skinny. Have you been eating at all?”

“Yes, but unlike your travel vlogs, I don’t sit around all day by the pool drinking margaritas. Some of us must work.”

Ava pinches my cheek with a wide smile. “Oh, poor baby is doing it tough?”

“Leave her alone,” Austin scolds, then leans in for a quick embrace. “Ava makes you think it’s margaritas, but it’s mocktails because the girls are with us, and we learned our lesson the last time we got drunk on vacation.”

“Oh, what happened?”

“Just kids being kids. Wake up at dawn. Hangovers and young children don’t mix.”

“Right.” I nod with a grin. “So, what you’re trying to say is Ava fakes it?”

“Hey!” Ava pouts but is distracted by Emmy asking for a snack.

Austin cocks his head with a smile. “You know your sister very well.”

“Uh, my turn now,” Millie interrupts, placing her arms around me. “You look different, mature perhaps.”

“Can I take that as a compliment? Mom and Ava said I look skinny, but it was accompanied by a frown.”

Millie’s lips curve upward into a smile. “Sure. Why don’t we go check on Addy? She’s upstairs trying on her dress again.”

We head upstairs quickly to avoid Ava following since she’ll nag me again about what I’ve been doing. Down the long hall is a bunch of rooms with Addy’s on the far left. Millie knocks softly, then we both enter.

Addy is standing in front of the mirror, absolutely stunning in the open-back laced dress she wears. The design itself is simple but oh so elegant and timeless. I’ve never seen my sister look so beautiful. Her bronze-colored hair flows down her back, much longer than I remember and lighter too.

“So, what do you think?” Addy asks with a big smile on her face. “I’m so happy you’re here, little sister. You look well-traveled.”

“I think you look beautiful and not nervous like your soon-to-be husband,” I tell her, then hug her carefully not to ruin the dress. “Are you nervous, though?”

Addy shakes her head. “Nah, I love him, and it’s just our family.”

After one more glance in the mirror, Addy extends her hands to reach out for mine. There’s a twinkle in her eye, some might call it love I suppose. My sister looks happy, and that makes me happy to see her finally say I do with the man she loves.

“The ceremony will be over before you know it. Soon you’ll be Mrs. Cooper.” Millie grins.

Addy squeezes my hand tight then squeals as Millie and I both laugh.

“I love the sound of that.”