Page 107 of The Rebel

She pointed to the couches. “Come on, let’s all sit down. Wedo have champagne here. We toasted with Isabeau and Celine earlier, but I don’t think we’ll see them for a while.”

“Oh!” I exclaimed, feeling a tad regretful. “Don’t they need a break?”

David shook his head. “They feel happiest when they’re up to their ears in work. And I have to give it to Isabeau. She was right again.” He looked straight at me and Anthony. “She was certain that Anthony was coming with Daisy tonight.”

I grabbed a glass of champagne Remy handed me and immediately took a sip, trying to hide my shock. Anthony, on the other hand, didn’t seem fazed at all.

“I thought she sounded a bit smug on the phone,” he admitted. “Now I know why.”

“All right, everyone,” Zachary said. “I know they said they don’t need help up front, but maybe we could ask them again.”

“I already did twice,” Bella piped up, “but they insist there’s nothing for us to do and that we would just be in the way.”

“I suggest we listen to the grandmothers,” Xander said. “Daisy, this is my fiancée, Bailey.”

Damn, all the guys in the family were already engaged or married?

“Hi, Bailey. You’re behind the famous LeBlanc-Broussard pralines, right?” I asked. Scarlett had mentioned it to me in passing, and I was dying to taste them.

Bailey smiled, looking pleased. “Yes.”

Julian motioned toward the woman next to him. “And this is Georgie.”

“Hey, Georgie,” I said with a small wave.

“So, you work with Anthony, is that right?” she asked.

“Yes, but just temporarily until I find something in marketing.”

“Oh, I didn’t know that.”

“Are you also involved in The Orleans Conglomerate?” I asked her.

“No. I run Books and Beads in the Quarter.”

“Oh, those are two of my favorite things,” I exclaimed. “I even passed it when my friend Annelise was in town, but we didn’t go inside. I’ll make sure to drop by your store sometime soon.”

“Let me know when you do so I have some time for you.”

The LeBlancs were endearing—the way they showed up for one another was incredible.

It made me miss my own family even more. I took my phone out, intending to text Mom and ask for updates, when I saw a message from Samantha.

Samantha: Hey, I’ve got more info about the job in North Dakota, but not the official job listing.

My stomach somersaulted.

Samantha: I’ll send you everything in the morning.

I swallowed hard before putting the phone in my pocket. My heartbeat was suddenly erratic. I tried to push it to the back of my mind as Isabeau came in.

“All right, everyone, I’m just going to be here for a bit so we can clink glasses again now that Daisy and Anthony are here. Then Celine is going to come back for her toast with you all.”

“I’m just putting it out there,” Anthony said, “but we can all come help.”

Isabeau waved at him. “You can’t. People came for our expertise. They tell us about themselves, and we make their perfume. We can’t delegate that. And Grace, we’re going to run out of creams. I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. Thank you so much!”