Page 55 of How to Break My Heart

Maddy sighs. “You’re a lifesaver.”

I glance at my phone. There’s nothing but email notifications.

We pull into Beaumont Manor, where Myles’s parents’ Mercedes is parked out front.

“Great, they’re already here and probably conspiring to get me to wear the veil I don’t want to wear,” Maddy complains.

She puts the car into park as I unbuckle my seat belt. “So, is it just you guys for dinner? As in, Myles’s parents and yours?”

“Yeah, Myles is back in Manhattan. A potential female lead for a new play flew in to audition from London, and Aston is AWOL as usual.”

Oh, I mouth, but I’m uncertain how to respond. I’m sure whatever is occupying him, he has a spare moment to respond to a text.

What anass.

I exit the car at the same time as Maddy, only to notice Mrs. Beaumont walking toward us dressed in what I assume is a designer knitted baby-blue dress. She crosses her arms to shield her body from the cold.

It’s been a long time since I have seen her, but even though time has passed, she still looks as beautiful as I remember. Perhaps this wellness retreat or whatever the hell it is actually works. Her face is flawless, with minimal makeup on her porcelain skin. Upon closer inspection, Maddy has similar traits, but it’s evident Aston inherited his mother’s genes.

“Eva, it’s lovely to see you again.” She leans over to peck my cheek, the scent of her Chanel No. 5 lingering. “You are just as beautiful as I remember.”

“Thank you.” I smile politely, then say, “It’s been a while, Mrs. Beaumont.”

The corners of her lips curve forcefully. “Yes, it has. Will you be joining us for dinner?”

“Actually, I was just going—”

Maddy pinches my arm. “Eva is staying.”

I glance at Maddy with wide eyes.

The last thing I want to do is spend the night eating dinner with Maddy’s father, who will no doubt find a way to make me feel small. Not to mention, I woke up early to open the store and spent the rest of the day with Maddy to meet with the photographer. After yesterday’s encounter with Aston, the last thing I need is this forced dinner, given that I’m exhausted.

Maddy pleads with her eyes, and it’s not lost on me.

I press my lips together, then contrive a smile. “Sure, thank you for the invitation.”

Mrs. Beaumont claps her hands. “Excellent. I will have Hildaset the table for another guest.” She walks back to the house while I stop Maddy from leaving.

“Thanks for the peer pressure. This isyourfamily,” I remind her in a huff. “I was going to order takeout tonight and watchLove Island.”

Maddy wraps her arms around me. “Have I told you lately that I love you?”

“You owe me.”

“I know, I know,” she sings playfully.

The lights are on inside the manor, showcasing all the fancy chandeliers. The place looks much more alive than when I visited the other day. The dining room is set up to seat eight people, but I count the plates again, wondering who the extra guests are.

“I thought it was just your parents and Myles’s parents,” I say out loud.

Mrs. Beaumont appears from the kitchen. “Viviana will be joining us. I ran into her earlier, so the timing was perfect.”

“Viviana?” Maddy repeats, only to roll her eyes moments later. “Did you invite her to the wedding?”

“Madelina, she is an old family friend. Of course I invited her.”

Maddy places her hands on her hips. “This was supposed to be a small, intimate wedding. How many guests are we up to now, huh? And, let me guess, Aston is coming to dinner then?”