Page 68 of Vows We Never Made

It’s always been this way.

Before we can settle in, though, there’s a distant tap at the door and a trilled “yoo-hoo” that makes my blood run cold.

Hattie stiffens beside me, absolute horror etched on her face as she slowly turns.

“Oh no,” she whispers like she’s been gutted.

Mom gives us a puzzled glance. “Do we have more company? I wasn’t aware you were bringing another guest, Ethan.”

Neither was I.

Not until Julia Sage lets herself in without invitation and rushes into the dining room, smiling at us.

She’s gone for a modern casual look today, baggy green suit pants and an off-white blouse that makes her look like she’s turning up for an interview at a California tech company.

“Hattie, darling!” she says, pushing her huge sunglasses up onto her forehead.

Hattie’s sigh sounds more like gagging.

“I’m so sorry for the surprise, guys. But you both know my mom—” she explains as Julia walks around the place like she owns it. The sight of her brings back memories of the green sludge.

I don’t know how I kept that vile potion down.

“Elvira Blackthorn! Oh my God, it must be—what?—ten years?” Julia makes a beeline for Mom, who just looks confused. “The other day when Hattie mentioned she was coming down here to see her new in-laws, I knew it was the perfect chance for us to all come together and reconnect!”

Hattie’s eyes flutter shut, pained.

Who the hell can blame her?

Mom pats Julia lightly on the back and smoothly disengages with a split-second annoyed grimace. A move I’ve seen countless times.

She even used it on me as a moody kid a few times to gracefully wiggle out of having to be a parent.

“Nice to see you again, Julia. Welcome to our lovely home,” she says.

“Solovely,” Julia gushes, so sickly sweet it makes my teeth ache.

Hattie winces like she has the same reaction, and I nudge her with my arm.

“Did you know she was coming? A warning would’ve been nice,” I mutter as Mom leads the rest of the way into the dining room, which is already set and ready.

Large windows overlook the green gardens and the glinting sea beyond. When you reach this level of money, you start to measure your wealth in landscaping fees, but it shows.

This view is almost as close to paradise as you’re going to get.

“I might’ve accidentally mentioned it to her,” Hattie confesses miserably, taking my arm and digging her fingers in. “But I didn’t think she’d actually come. Weflew. I never even dropped the address.”

“Damn, she’s one of those people, then. Why did you bring it up at all?”

“She found out we were engaged and—yeah. Pretty unavoidable when people have been writing about us online. Mom loves the gossip mills and when she found out, she dropped in on me at work. Right before you did, actually.”

“Ah.” It makes sense now. “That’s why you were so worked up.”

“What?No.” She glowers at me, smoky eyelashes framing those green eyes as they spark with irritation. “I was worked up because you were being ridiculous. You still need to talk to Mr. Sneed and take it back.”

“Too late, he’s been paid. So your mother came to the bookstore and what?” I pull out her chair and let her sit.

She looks like she’s scared one wrong move will ruin this whole thing.