Since I made the kind of scene that got the tongues working overtime in Maui, I need to redeem myself. And the first step is bringing the right wine.
Skittles’ dad said rosé. So I’m going to pick up the best rosé from Tony’s and a bouquet of flowers for her mom. Every woman loves flowers.
It’s time for maximum charm. I’ve taken care to dress well—a blue silk shirt and light slacks. This is L.A., so you don’t want to go too formal. The key is tastefully luxurious without being overly stiff or ostentatious.
When I arrive at Tony’s mansion, Ivy greets me. She’s in a simple T-shirt and shorts, her face free of makeup except for some lipstick, her feet bare. I like it. It’s almost like we’re back in time—before Mom ruined it for everyone. Ivy used to dress like this when she was home from Curtis.
Since I’m not a total idiot, I brought donuts for her. A grad student who got pregnant was stuffing her mouth with them constantly last year, saying all pregnant women crave sugar. Between the calories and the baby, she blew up like dough in an oven, but she insisted she “pregnancy-glowed.” Anybody who disagreed got shit-listed. I can’t ever be careful enough.
“Here you go, fresh donuts for you and my nephews or nieces. Love your pregnancy glow.” I kiss Ivy on the cheek.
She laughs. “I don’t think the glow happens until later. I just found out, like, three weeks ago.”
“Yeah, but the babies look magnificent.”
Her perfectly drawn eyebrows go up. “How do you know?”
“Tony texted me the ultrasound picture.” I still have no idea what the thing was supposed to show, but it’s probably best to just go with the flow.
She pats her belly. “There’re just dots right now.”
“Magnificent dots.”
She laughs again, and I grin. It’s good to see her happy and relaxed.
“And you’re going to be a magnificent uncle,” she says.
“Of course,” I say. “I’m going to be so awesome that they will openly prefer me to Edgar.”
She arches an eyebrow. “Oh? And how are you going to pull that off?”
“I’m naturally charming, so it won’t be that hard. And gifts. Lots and lots of gifts.”
She laughs, takes my arm and, carrying the box of donuts, leads me down the wide corridor toward her new practice room. Inside, the brand-new concerto piano sits in the center. A couple of couches take up space nearby.
Damn. That thing is huge. Like a baby orca. It looks expensive as hell, too. But then it was handmade in Austria…and even supposedly has extra keys compared to your standard pianos. Tony went on and on about how amazing the Bösendorfer is when I made the mistake of saying no piano is worth half a million bucks…and how it’s only fitting Ivy got an Imperial. The side even has a tiger lily embossed on the wood, which I’m sure isn’t a standard feature. It’s Ivy’s favorite flower.
She sits down on one of the couches and picks out a donut with extra chocolate glaze and sprinkles. “So. What do you need?”
I shoot her a wounded look. “What, I have to need something to visit?”
“No, but you brought donuts.”
She’s got me there. “Just some wine.”
“You know you’re welcome to take any bottle you like.”
“Tony grumbles if I take too much, but if I say you let me have it, he shuts up about it because he’s crazy about you and you’re the best.”
“I know I am. By the way, did everything work out with your fifty-dollar girl?”
Ah, great. Should’ve known Tony would tell her. “Tony has a big mouth.”
“We have no secrets. But I won’t tell anybody.” She leans forward. “Tony said he gave you a hard time, but don’t mind him. I think the situation is very intriguing.”
“You do?”
She nods. “It doesn’t matter what the explanation is or what Tony said. Leaving the money is asking you to contact her. Fifty dollars is an intriguing amount, you know? Otherwise she would’ve just walked out of the room.”