Unlike Justin, Marcel has the right qualities to lead a team. He commands respect without fear, keeps calm even in a crisis. But suspicion nags at me today. Was his suggestion to move on from the topic of the photos just tact, or is he hiding something? Was Honor’s idea to secure the perimeter outside quick thinking, or an attempt to keep the focus on outsiders?
***
“Friday is my favorite day of the week,” Summer exclaims, hopping on a barstool, stretching.
“Sounds like you need a drink,” Blake says. He’s behind the counter, mixing a cocktail. His bar is my favorite place to come to relax after a long week. A few other Bennetts should filter in too at some point. Friday is the unofficial family day. Blake’s at the bar anyway, and whoever has time stops by.
“Or five,” my sister counters.
Blake shakes his head. “Cutoff is at three.”
Summer leans over the bar, poking him in the ribs. “Oi, I wasn’t asking for permission.”
I laugh. “He’s just doing his brotherly duty.”
She sits back on her chair, waggling her finger from Blake to me. “I’m twenty-seven.”
Leaning closer to her, I put an arm around her shoulders. “Yeah, but see, we’re always going to be three years older than you, so you’ll always be our little sister. That’s how it works. No escaping it.”
Summer sighs dramatically. “Brothers! Can’t live with them, can’t live without them.”
“So, what happened this week to make you need five drinks?” I inquire, wondering if she’s having any troubles at the gallery.
“Oh, nothing bad happened. I’m just feeling feisty.”
She attacks her drink as soon as Blake shoves it in front of her. Sebastian and Logan arrive shortly afterward, making their way to the counter through the crowd.
“Just the five of us tonight,” Sebastian says. “Max and Christopher are still in a meeting, and they’re going straight to their homes afterward. Pippa has gone shopping with Julie.”
Logan points at the draft. “I’ll have a beer, please.”
“In a second. Let’s move the party to the table I reserved. Easier to talk,” Blake says, motioning with his head to the right. “My bartenders will take care of the bar.”
Taking our drinks, we head to the table. Since it’s in a corner, it’s marginally quieter than the rest of the venue.
“So, who’s got any news?” Sebastian asks after we sit.
I consider bringing up the issue with the photos, then dismiss the idea. No reason to involve my siblings in my mess, least of all a mess involving the media. When it comes to the media, I have their backs, not the other way around.
I listen to each of my brothers in turn, but something about Summer’s expression tips me off that she’s hiding something. No one is more terrible than my baby sister at keeping secrets.
Blake seems to be thinking along the same lines because he points at our sister, saying, “Summer, you’re bursting to say something.”
“This isn’t my news to tell, but I guess she’ll tell you soon enough anyway.”
Sebastian frowns. “She? Who are you talking about?”
Summer grins. “Alice is coming back.”
“You mean moving back?” Logan asks.
She nods decisively. Alice moved with her husband, Nate, to London because he was directing a famous British TV show there. Alice co-owns three restaurants with Blake and has been handling the marketing and strategic planning from a distance, flying in every two to three weeks.
“Are you sure?” Blake asks.
“She and Nate talked about it, and he wants to be back here too. He found a directing job he’s happy with here. They both want to be closer to the family. They’re planning to move back after New Year’s.”
Fantastic news. Finally, all the Bennetts will be in the same city again. Some were in and out over the years. I never had wanderlust. I traveled a lot, but never had the impulse to move anywhere else. I love this city and being close to my family.