“Sometimes in the summer, we'd take the ferry over to Sanborn. I don't remember the name, but there was a place there that had the best homemade ice cream. We'd always stop when we were on the island.”
“Sundae Scoops,” Tory said before he could, because there was only one place she could be referring to. “Duncan and I spent last weekend on the island. We got ice cream because Duncan insisted it was better than anything I'd ever had. I hate to say he was right.”
“I'm glad it's still open. It must be hard for small businesses to stay open on the island.”
He was about to tell her that the business wasn't only still open, but it had expanded and now had shops in several New Hampshire towns, but he didn't get the chance.
“Duncan, have you ever thought about relocating Chat's headquarters?” Mr. Castillo asked out of the blue, moving the conversation about as far away from ice cream as it could get.
Duncan almost choked on the cake he'd swallowed. Except for his comment about the magazine article when he first sat down, Grant's father hadn't spoken directly to him all night. The man hadn't even asked him to pass the butter, which had been right in front of Duncan. Instead, he'd asked Hayden for it.
“Most big tech companies are in California,” Mr. Castillo continued before Duncan answered.
The fact that most companies like theirs were in California was just one reason Duncan and Matt preferred to remain in New England. However, the primary reason behind the location they'd picked was because of its proximity to family. Most of Matt's family lived in western Massachusetts or Vermont, while much of Duncan’s remained in New Hampshire.
“No. Matt and I both enjoy living in New England, and it's home for most of our family members.”
“Staying in a location because it's close to family isn't a sound business decision,” Mr. Castillo said. “You should reconsider. All the best talent is in California. I have a lot of connections and could help you find a better location.”
Go to hell.“I appreciate the advice and the offer, and I'll keep both in mind.”
“Must be nice having your family all in one area. I think mine tried to get as far away from each other as possible,” Hayden said with a little laugh.
“My cousin CJ lived in California for about sixteen years, but he moved back a year ago. And my sister did an internship in DC, but she accepted a position working on Congressman Joel Seabrook's campaign and moved back to New Hampshire in January.” She'd only moved out of their parents’ house again in July, and he still wasn't sure who was happier about that, his mom or Harper. Although since the congressman had lost his reelection bid earlier this month, his sister would soon be out of a job. And that might mean she moved back in with their parents.
Tory's hand stopped with her fork almost to her mouth, and she gave him a look he couldn't even begin to decipher before she put the fork down and picked up her drink instead.
“What a minute. Is CJ Ferguson your cousin?” Olivia asked.
He never went out of his way to tell people CJ Ferguson was his cousin. However, if people asked, he never denied it either.
“Yeah, our fathers are brothers.”
“He's one of my favorite actors. I think I've seen all his movies. Is he going to be in anything new soon? It's been over a year since a movie came out with him in it. And I have read nothing about him in ages. He used to be on the cover of a different magazine every week.”
Since getting married, CJ had been keeping a low profile and living in North Salem, a small town on the North Shore of Massachusetts. However, he and his wife had spent most of the summer on Sanborn Island and planned to return for Thanksgiving.
“CJ has one project coming up, but I don't know the specifics.”
Honestly, Duncan knew everything about it, including when filming started and who else would be in the film, but he wasn't at liberty to share.
“I know he married a high school history teacher. Are they still together?”
Olivia's question made sense. Celebrity marriages weren't known for their longevity.
“Yeah, CJ and Isabelle are still together.” He didn't see that changing either. Although they'd gone their separate ways for over a decade, CJ had loved Isabelle since high school.
The instrumental background music stopped, and a popular love ballad he couldn't stand and always switched off when it came on replaced it. Hayden and Gab, as well as Drake and Carrie at the table next to them, interpreted that to mean the dance floor was open for the evening.
“Do you want to dance, Grant?” Olivia asked as she pushed her empty dessert plate away from her.
Grant looked at Tory and glared at Duncan before answering. “Sure.”
Standing, Mr. Castillo pulled back his wife's chair. “Grant, your mother and I are going to head to our suite. We'll see you in the morning.”
Nice job asking your wife what she wants to do. Damn, Grant's father was an ass. It was no wonder his son had turned out to be one too.
“Duncan, it was a pleasure meeting you. I'll see you both at the wedding.” Once again, Mrs. Castillo kissed Tory's cheek before slipping her purse over her shoulder.