Julia
Van held tightly to my hand as we sat in the back seat, and Michael slowly progressed, moving us forward in a line of cars waiting to enter the rounded brick driveway leading to my parents’ home. Nestled in Lincoln Park, our family home was one of the neighborhood’s treasures. That was a direct quote from my mother.
The limestone residence was purchased by my grandparents, Herman and Juliette Wade. This New Year’s Eve event was an annual tradition. Of course, this year, it was supposed to take place downtown, following my wedding.
I pushed those thoughts away. As my gaze went to the white lights twinkling in the trees and glistening in the cold air, I had a thought. Speaking softly, I whispered, “My parents inherited this house from my grandfather Herman.”
“It’s not Buckingham Palace,” Van said with a grin.
“I mean, it’s in his will. If the will is being contested…” I didn’t need to finish that sentence by the way Van’s eyebrow quirked upward; I knew he understood the meaning.
“What do you think is the home’s value, monetarily,” Van clarified. “Not emotionally.”
“I know my grandparents bought it for half a million. The last time it was discussed, Mom said it was worth over ten million.”
Van shook his head. “In today’s market it’s even more. Granted, these old homes are now competing for the market with some of the newer luxury residences in the towers such as Vista Tower and 1000M. Nevertheless, they’re still sought after.”
“How do you know so much about Chicago real estate?”
“I buy and sell. Real estate is a commodity.” He lifted his chin as the sedan creeped closer. “Besides the structure, there is a fair amount of land on this lot. Being in Lincoln Park, I don’t doubt it would get an impressive price tag.”
My lips curled. “You said you wouldn’t be impressed.”
“I evaluate everything for its worth. I admit that your parents’ home is valuable real estate. I’m still more impressed with their daughter than their holdings.”
“The will…” I began as the sedan came to a stop, my father standing on the sidewalk, personally greeting each guest and looking handsome in his tuxedo.
“We’ll talk about it later,” Van said as we scooted from the back seat into the chilled air. We’d chosen to not wear topcoats. My long cape sleeves blew in the wintery breeze.
Dad’s smile broadened as he stared down at me. “Little girl.”
Releasing Van’s hand, I leaned into my father. Dad’s arms surrounded me. Perhaps it was an act, but in this familiar setting, he appeared more relaxed than he had a few days ago at the board meeting.
Releasing me, he kept ahold of my hand and scanned from my hair to the pointed toes of the Jimmy Choo shoes. “Look at you,” he said with a smile. “You’re stunning.” His attention then went to my hand that he was holding, the one that now wore my engagement ring.
Dad’s chest inflated and deflated before his eyes met mine. “It’s beautiful. Congratulations, to both of you.”
“Thank you, Dad.”
Next Dad extended his hand toward Van. “Mr. Sherman, welcome and thank you for convincing our daughter to attend this gathering.”
Van shook his hand. “Call me Van, please.” He winked my direction. “I had to acquiesce to her demands. Your daughter is quite the negotiator.”
Warmth filled my cheeks.
Thankfully, Dad didn’t ask for more details on the negotiation. I wasn’t fully certain of the stipulations we’d agreed to. If memory served me well, it was something about making it up to me and being freshly fucked. Neither were conversations I wanted to share with my father.
Dad tilted his head toward the house. “Go inside. It’s cold out here.” As I started to walk, he again seized my hand. His voice was a whisper. “You should know, the board of directors and families are invited.”
“Families?” Van asked.
Dad nodded. “Skylar is here.”
“And other wedding guests,” I said, my stomach twisting.
Van placed his hand in the small of my back. “Come, Ms. McGrath. It’s time for your grand entrance.”
“Everyone will look at me as the woman who left Skylar Butler at the altar and had the gall to show up to a party on the day of the canceled wedding with a new fiancé.”