Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 100277 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 501(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100277 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 501(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Rafe and Hugo had returned to our sides a while ago and they were still talking about their love for shiplap.
“We’ve only been married for three years, but I swear this house is the third person we needed to spice up our relationship,” the woman joked. “We have so much fun talking about what we’re going to do with it. It’s safer than a third person.” They all laughed except for me and Rafe.
Some devil that was desperate to break me out of my numbness opened my mouth for me. “Actually, a third person in a relationship can be a blessing.”
The guy sneered. “Oh, really?”
“Yeah. My best friends are in a polyamorous relationship and they’re the happiest people I know.”
A stunned silence fell between us.
Pippa suddenly chuckled and swatted a hand in my direction. “Oh, Star, you and your sense of humor.”
“Oh, she’s joking?” The woman appeared relieved. “She’s joking. You’re joking.”
I opened my mouth to tell her no, but Pippa beat me to it. “Of course she’s joking. Star’s best friends are me and Gigi, and we’re definitely not in a polyamorous relationship.”
Everyone but me, Rafe, and Hugo laughed.
Hugo cut his brother and me a worried look while Rafe glared at the floor.
Me . . . I fell silent.
In that moment, I felt like I’d betrayed Roger, Jude, and Kendall.
Thankfully, not too long later, the couple moved away to talk with someone else and Pippa asked me to chat with Pamela about taking them on as clients.
I said I would.
“And have you thought any more about the name change? Pamela and I still think it’s a great idea.”
Rafe stiffened at my side. “Name change?”
Pippa nodded, smiling brightly. “I had the wonderful idea of changing Star’s name. We’re thinking Sarah.”
I looked at Rafe, who turned to stare at me in disbelief. “Name change?”
“To something more professional. Star is . . . well”—she touched my hand in apology—“is a good-time girl’s name.”
“Pippa,” Hugo warned.
I’d always liked my name. It was the one thing my hippie parents gave me I liked. I took a massive chug of my champagne, and Rafe made a low growling noise before he abruptly marched away.
“Pippa,” Hugo snapped at her.
“What?” She was wide-eyed. “What did I do?”
Giving them both a strained smile, I told them I’d go after Rafe, but it was a lie. Instead, I made my way to the lower deck and found the cabin where the kids were watching Mulan. Half of them looked bored and pissed off, pulling at fancy dresses and little ties. They had discarded suit jackets over the back of the corner sofa, and there were piles of junk food on the floor in the middle of the small TV room.
The nanny was snoozing in an armchair.
“Star!” Charmaine waved to me from her place between two boys. “Come watch Mulan with us.”
I smiled affectionately at her, my gaze drifting to the little boy beside her who was currently tugging on his shirt collar. I tugged on the high neckline of my dress and felt the fabric tense as I tried to cross the room. Restricted.
That was how I felt.
Freaking restricted.
Hanging out with a bunch of kids who felt the same seemed like a far better option than hanging out on a boat, losing my identity bit by bit.
* * *
• • •
I swear I didn’t see the kid leave the cabin, but twenty minutes into my hideout, a boy around ten or eleven threw open the door to the cabin and yelled, “Look what I got!”
My eyes grew wide as the kids launched themselves across the room in cries of excitement.
What he “got” was a rare Löwchen dog.
The one the bride had walked down the aisle using a pearl-decorated lead.
Holy crap, he’d stolen the Taylors’ dog.
“Where did you get her? Or him?” I launched myself off the couch, scowling as I twisted my ankle in the stupid shoes because my stupid dress was too tight to move in. The hat was lying somewhere behind the couch because I’d let Charmaine take it off my head and throw it like a Frisbee.
The boy backed up at my tone. “This is my grandma’s dog!”
He was related to the Taylors. That was fine, then, right? “Okay. Well, maybe we should return it to Grandma.”
“No. She spends more time with this dog than her own family. Mom says so all the time.” He jutted his chin out stubbornly. “Maybe it’s time Tallulah took a swim.”
“Oh no. No, no, let’s talk about this.” I gently pushed past the kids. They tried to clamber for the dog, so I pivoted and whistled loudly. “Hey, nanny, wake up!”
The young woman lying passed out on the armchair jolted awake. “I’m here, I’m alive, what?” She blinked blearily at me and then at the kids and swallowed hard. “Oh. I’m sorry. I’m awake. I promise.”