We’re in the Lancaster ballroom, where my best friend’s wedding reception is being held. The room is filled with the some of the country’s—if not the world’s—richest people. There are dignitaries and politicians in attendance. World leaders and plenty of royalty too. Supermodels and celebrities and I even hear Harry Styles is going to perform later, which wouldn’t surprise me at all.
When the Lancasters do something, they go big.
“Escorting me after the ceremony. Standing next to me right now, while Sylvie pretends to not see us.” A soft laugh escapes Carolina and I glance over at her, momentarily taken by the small smile playing upon her lips. She’s grown into a beautiful woman, which is expected. The Lancasters have impeccable lineage and impossibly good looks. “You’re playing with fire.”
“She’s burned me enough times already,” I admit. And I have the scars to prove it.
“I thought you were in love with each other,” Carolina continues. “I even believed you two would get married.”
“Your mother would never approve.”
“You think she approves of Whit’s choice?” The laughter booms from Carolina, surprising me. She’s always so quiet, so careful with her words. “My mother is infuriated right now. She just knows how to put on a brave face.”
All the Lancasters can. It’s in their blood.
“You were probably smart, not marrying Sylvie,” Carolina muses.
“Why would you say that?” Am I not good enough? I know my lineage isn’t as solid as the Lancasters, but damn. Whit just married his father’s ex-lover’s daughter. Janine is just a social climber who got a reputation for sleeping with very wealthy, very married men. Not that Summer is like her mother, but…
It doesn’t look good, this marriage. Not that Whit gives a damn.
“You might’ve ended up dead within the first year, like Earl.”
I send her a sharp look. “He died of old age.”
Carolina shrugs. “If you say so.”
I turn her words over in my mind as I glance about the room, hating the annoyance that grows within me and I tamp it down. It’s a good day and nothing should get me down. My best friend is married, and that alone is worthy of a celebration. Whit hates everyone. If he allows you into his inner circle, you should feel honored. He doesn’t open himself to others very often, if at all.
But I can’t stop thinking of Sylvie and that old man she married. They didn’t have a lavish ceremony like Whit and Summer. I don’t think they had any kind of party at all, not even a reception. Almost as if they wanted to keep the marriage a secret, instead of showing it off, which makes no damn sense.
Earl Wainwright was connected. Revered. Rich as fuck.
And a total piece of shit.
“Lina. Spencer.” Augustus Lancaster himself stops in front of us, smiling fondly at his youngest daughter before he tugs her into his arms and squeezes her tight. Carolina remains visibly rigid in his embrace, as if she can’t stand the idea of him touching her and the memories come back to me.
Carolina doesn’t like to be touched at all. She never really has. Even when I looped my arm through hers to lead her back into the house, she held herself away from me, our arms barely touching.
Once he’s released Carolina, Augustus turns toward me, offering his hand. I shake it, giving him a firm grip, just the way he likes it. The Lancaster patriarch prefers a firm touch, a solid handshake, a manly hug with slaps on the back. He considers himself a man’s man, unapologetic for his behavior even if it’s misogynistic, homophobic, whatever. He’s offensive, he smokes, he drinks, he gambles. Then he goes to church, confesses his sins and gains forgiveness.
Repeat, and repeat again. The man is a throwback to a different era. His children are nothing like him. Well, Whit is similar in some behaviors, which is what drew me to him. He flat out doesn’t give a fuck what other people think about him, and that’s easy to do when you’re as rich as he is.
I wanted to be like that. Still do. As I’ve gotten older, I find myself not caring as much what people think of me.
With the exception of these damn Lancasters. For some reason, their opinions matter to me.
Too much.
“How are you, Spence? Heard you’ve been working closely with the old man.” His grin is knowing. I think he even winks at me.
Ignoring it, I nod, shoving my hands into my pockets. “I’ve been working a lot lately, yes.”
That’s all I say. I can feel Carolina’s curious gaze on me. She wouldn’t know much about the Donato family business. She never paid much attention to me and she’s a solid four years younger than I am. Besides, she’s been out of the country for the most part, save that one year her parents forced her to come home and attend Lancaster Prep for her senior year.
Augustus chuckles. “Glad to hear it. Hard work is good for the soul.”
Before I can respond, someone calls his name, distracting him completely. He smiles and waves, leaving us standing in his wake as he walks away.