Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 113319 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113319 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
I’d found out about the fiancée situation right before going to Kingsley’s, having seen it on social media. It had led to a mild freak-out that had, in turn, motivated me to show off Austin on my social media. Matt had then called me, after what was probably a mild freak-out on his part, and said that I should go to their wedding because I owed them my support. The call had gone downhill from there.
“Ah.” Mimi nodded. “He’s trying to rub his new life in your face.”
“Instead, Jess will be rubbing her new life in his face,” Austin said, draping his arm around my shoulders. “I will personally see to it that he minds his manners when he speaks to you.”
“Anyway.” I shrugged. “This might end with us severing our ties, but at least I can say I tried.”
“It’s not like Jimmy is a kid,” Aurora said. “At this point, he doesn’t really need his parents to get along.”
“Like your father and uncle?” Mimi quirked an eyebrow. “Big words coming from someone in your position.”
Aurora looked down at her knees, clearly her way of saying, “Touché.”
“Is that all?” Mimi asked, leaning forward to get up.
“One more thing.” Aurora glanced at Mimi. “This place is absolutely incredible. You’ve done a really great job, Mimi. Remind me never to listen to Mom’s decorating advice over yours again.”
Mimi finished getting up. “You couldn’t afford an outfit like this. Not until you build yourself up a pack and replace all the money this move will cost you.”
“It’ll be worth it,” Aurora mumbled.
“That’s my girl,” Mimi said as she walked out the door.
“About that, though,” I said, stopping Aurora from getting up. “I know we’re not supposed to give you any money or anything, but I need you to look the part if you’re going with us to the ex’s party. Non-negotiable. Mr. Tom will connect with you about what sorts of things to buy. We need to all look amazing.”
Aurora’s grin was smug and confident. “Not a problem.”
FIVE
Jessie
A week later, Austin, Jimmy, and I pulled up to my parents’ house for dinner. The stark sun shone in the pale blue sky on the outskirts of Los Angeles. Given no one else on my team was from the large, crowded, sprawling city, they were already complaining about the traffic and how long it took to get anywhere.
We’d checked into the Airbnb not long ago, but we’d been running late and left the details of sorting out who would sleep where to Mr. Tom. He’d assured us that everyone would fit, since each room was outfitted with multiple beds and people would be doubling up. Thankfully, there was a hotel not too far away in case that didn’t turn out to be the case.
Neither Mimi nor Aurora would be coming to my parents’ for dinner. After a nearly six-hour drive, I’d let them off the hook—easy to do, since my parents didn’t know them. It would just be Jimmy, Austin, and me weathering my parents’ weirdness.
I hoped to hell my dad had clothes on.
“I don’t see why you can’t just tell them you’re magical now,” Jimmy said as he climbed out of the back of the Mercedes, one of our “house” cars. Austin would save his fancy sports car for when we met my ex. I didn’t need my parents asking if the cult they thought I belonged to was now in the crime circuit or money-laundering game.
“I told Grandma. She seemed to be okay with it, unless she’s convinced herself that never happened. You just never know with her. But I can’t tell Grandpa. He’s not that open-minded. He’d think it sounds crazy and that I need psychiatric help,” I said, shutting the door and moving to the trunk to grab the wine and beer. They’d told us not to bring anything else, and when given that option, I always complied.
“And a cult doesn’t sound crazy?” Jimmy asked.
“Did your arms break when you went off to college? Come here and help me with these.” I handed over the case of beer. “We’re going to tell him I’m not in a cult anymore, all is well, and I have the means to keep the house because Austin is a rich investor and he’s footing the bill for the renovation. I’ll just mumble and talk quietly and hope they lose interest. You know that Grandpa only needs the barest hint of rationality to make something irrational make sense. It’s how he made it through Ivy House’s teasing and then a magical battle. It’ll be fine.”
“But didn’t you tell them Austin was a park ranger or something?”
“No, I didn’t specify, I don’t think. It’s fine—whatever they remember, we’ll say we told them that because he wants to keep his investing mostly a secret. They’ll go with it, trust me. Especially with the mumbling. Worst case, I’ll just talk about the rat problem at Ivy House. That’ll throw them off the scent.”