That’s part of why my father is looking to get one of us to take over the CEO position anyway. He needs someone younger, who can keep up with the current course of events. Who knows what the changing world is like right now and is sharp enough to keep up with the next wave when it happens.
Charlie has to figure out his life without worrying about our parents. He lets their opinion make him so irate. I think it’s going to be hard for him, but he’ll be able to do it. And I actually think that he’ll have an easier time finding himself if he’s not tied down to the CEO position.
I want what’s best for all of us, not just for myself.
Suddenly, I’m exhausted. I move so I can lean back against the white block wall of the hotel, finally fishing my cell phone out of my pocket. I pull up my contact list. I’ve added two hearts next to Ashley’s name, just in case someone in the family needs to borrow my phone for something.
A click, and then the phone is ringing. One, two, three—“Hello?”
There’s something relieving about the fact that Ashley sounds just as exhausted as I am. I ask her, “You having fun?”
A pause, and then she admits, “Less than I thought I would.”
That answer knocks a laugh out of me. “You know what? I’m thinking that same thing.”
I look up, towards the sky. The stars are not nearly as bright here as they are back home, where there’s nothing to block it. No smog, no city lights. Just the few houses scattered around the lake, and those precious silver dots lining the sky. But regardless, I’m still enamored by their beauty.
“Are you done with the meeting? How did it go?”
“We’re finished for tonight. We’ve got to go back in tomorrow,” I tell her. My gaze is still caught on the stars. “Do you want to come back here? We could have another bottle of wine up in the room. Or on the balcony.”
There’s no hesitation before she answers. “That actually sounds amazing. I’m going to let Eliza know that I’m taking a cab back to the hotel. I’ll be there soon, okay?”
“I’ll have the bottle ready when you get here,” I tell her, somehow much more at ease now that I know we’ll be spending the remainder of our night together. “I love you.”
It’s just in case my father has come out. Ashley says it back. “I love you too.”
My heart skips a beat at the words. We’ve practiced saying them to each other back at the lake house a dozen times, but this feels different somehow. There’s something about saying it over the phone, just hearing her voice without seeing her struggle not to laugh. It makes it all feel a little bit more real.
With a smile on my face, I click the phone off, standing out there for a moment longer —just basking in the cool air—before heading inside to get the wine ordered.
This will be a nice way to end this long, stressful day. Just the two of us, a bottle of wine, and the stretch of stars above us.
Chapter ten
Ashley
Somehow,weendupon a double date at the London Eye; it’s me and Grant, and then Eliza and Charlie. I’ll be honest, I’m more focused on the massive Ferris wheel than I am on anything else. There’s a long line, but Grant ensured that we had passes to skip the bulk of it. We get through the checkpoint, and then we’re ushered up to one of the massive cabins.
For most of these cabins, it’s just a whole group of people that come through. I don’t know if Grant and Charlie pulled strings or just paid extra for a VIP package, but it ends up just being the four of us stepping into it, in a rush—the wheel never stops to wait for people to board, much like life. There’s a designated point where the ride takes pictures of everyone in the cabin, but other than that, it’s just the large bench at the center and then fully glassed walls.
We can see the London Eye from the hotel room. At night, it’s lit up brightly but right now, it’s the middle of the day and the whole world is cast in gold and yellow. It sits right on the edge of the River Thames, and there’s Big Ben just across the way. I’ve never been on anything like this before. It’s clear that there’s a reason this is one of the most popular attractions in the city.
Charlie and Eliza seem tense. He circles around the cabin before stopping next to us. Grant told me that Charlie doesn’t believe we're in love, and that the upcoming engagement is just so that Grant can get the position. Which is partly true.
“What?” asks Grant, annoyed by his brother’s silent stare.
“Nothing, I’m just admiring you too. So in love, so happy.”
Eliza moves closer, curious. Did she share our conversation with him?
“They are, aren’t they?” She turns to Charlie. “Some people just get each other. And are willing to put some effort into—having a nice time.”
Charlie glares at her and keeps walking. Eliza moves in the other direction without looking at any of us.
Definitely tense.
As we crest to the top, Grant wraps his arms around my waist from behind. He leans against me, his chest to my back, and rests his chin on the top of my head. “This is lovely.”