Beckham’s face contorts at the mention of Paige’s name. “I have work to do,” he says, clearly trying to mask any emotion right now.
“Will you come around? I have a few things I want to give you.”
“I’ll see. Give me time. I will try to get there when I can.”
The man looks around, smiles at me, and then glances back at Beckham. “August says you haven’t dated since.”
“August needs to shut his mouth,” Beckham snaps.
“He was her brother. He cares. Even if he doesn’t show it.”
I knew August had lost someone when I met him, but I didn’t know it was his sister. And that his sister was also the woman whom Beckham had lost.
“As I said, I’ll see. Thanks for stopping by, Glenn.” Beckham returns to his office and shuts the door.
Glenn turns to face me. “Sorry for interrupting your day.”
I offer him a warm smile as he walks away.
Beckham stays in his office for the rest of the day.
Looking over to my right, I pull up in my car to a house that is ten times bigger than any I’ve ever owned or lived in. Pushing open the door, I slide out and grab Oliver, who stays by my side as we walk up to the door. Knocking only once, it swings open to reveal the spitting image of Rylee standing there. But I know it isn’t her.
“I’m Rhianna.” She smiles, a baby on her hip, as she greets me. “And you are Jacinta. Come in. Everyone is already here.” She offers a small wave to Oliver, who waves back before he spots Winter and runs to where she’s currently playing. “What’s your poison? Vodka, gin, whiskey? I know it has to be something strong since you work for my brother, and he’s an ass to everyone but Rylee.” She waits expectantly for my answer.
“Just a water, please.” Rhianna shrugs and opens the fridge. She hands me a bottle of water. A guy walks in, steps straight to her, and removes the baby from her hip. He leans down and kisses her on the lips before he turns to face me.
“I’m Noah. Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you as well. I’m Jacinta.”
“I’m well aware of who you are. I’m glad you could come.” He nods and saunters off, leaving me in the kitchen with the sister I’ve only ever spoken to once before, and that was because I thought she was Rylee.
“So, how’s life now you can live it normally? Have you heard from Anderson or his crazy family?” Rhianna asks, pouring herself a cocktail.
“His father, Leo, got a lawyer involved, so his ex-wife, Anderson’s mother, cannot contact Oliver until he’s of age and can decide if he wants to know her or not. She refused at first until he offered her money.”
Rhianna’s eyes go wide. “She was always a greedy woman. Whatever you two saw in Anderson, I will never know.”
“I …” I go to explain why. Why I was lonely and happened to fall for a man who wasn’t worthy of my time, then fell pregnant. But I don’t. I don’t have to explain myself to anyone.
“You two are clearly out of his league. I’m just glad he’s locked away. How is Anderson’s father?” Rhianna asks. “I feel like he was a silent pawn in their scheme.”
I shrug. “He’s sent letters, but I haven’t opened them. I’m not really sure if I want to. Other than that, he hasn’t contacted me.”
Rhianna lifts her glass of vodka and drinks it all before she smiles at me. “You sure you don’t want to get drunk with me?” She winks.
I laugh and can already tell the difference between the twins, Rhianna has a carefree attitude about her, while Rylee is more reserved.
“No, I’m good. But thank you.”
“That’s all right, you can watch me be a hot mess instead. It’s always so much fun, especially when I get horny and Noah tries to push everyone out without being rude and puts the kids to bed.” I laugh at her openness just as the door opens to the backyard, where I can see Oliver playing with two little girls, one of them August and Rylee’s daughter, Winter, and the other must be Rhianna’s daughter.
“That’s Summer. She may or may not be annoying like me.” We laugh when we see Summer put her hands on her hips and poke her tongue out at Oliver, who just looks down at the ground.
Rylee walks in, her smile bright when she sees me. “You made it. I’m so glad he passed along the message. I would have come to invite you myself, but we have some news. Good news, actually.” Rylee steps over to Rhianna and reaches for her hand and pulls her toward the door, looking back at me. “Come, Jacinta, you’re part of our family now, too. Come out.” I know she is being nice, but I haven’t been a part of a family for a long time. August was my family, and now he is hers.