Having had enough, I step out of the line and decide I’ll take my chances with the subway.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Lainey

The week after I return from New York City, my grandmother thinks it’s a wonderful idea to throw Emmett and me an engagement party. The invitations go out without my knowledge. In fact, I only find out about it the morning of when a bevy of floral designers and event planners overtake the house in preparation for the evening’s festivities.

I catch my grandmother in the foyer, directing the catering crew to the kitchen.

I lead with, “I don’t think this is a good idea.”

She completely ignores me, so I’m forced to cut in front of her again and reach out for her hand, demanding her attention.

“I wish you had asked me before doing this.”

She sighs. “It’s tradition. I hardly need your permission to throw a party in my own home.”

“Yes, but perhaps it would be best if we skipped all of this. I just think—”

Her brown eyes level me with a glare of impatience. “Elaine Evangeline…if you think I’m not going to throw my only granddaughter an engagement party, you’re sorely mistaken. In fact, I’m going to throw you and Emmett a party the likes of which Boston has never seen.”

At that, the front door opens to a woman holding up a stack of linens so tall it towers over her head, blocking her vision.

“A little help please!” she begs.

Jacobs swoops in and takes half of the folded items from her before they all go crashing to the ground.

Wanting no part of the party setup, I slip out of the house around lunch time and head for Morgan’s. It’s not my usual day to work, but I’m eager for the distraction the gallery is so good at providing. Collette is there, sitting behind the counter in the main showroom, answering emails. Her eyes widen when I walk in the door.

“I didn’t expect to see you today.”

I smile brightly. “I thought I’d see if you needed help with anything.”

“Umm…hello, don’t you have a party to get ready for?”

My good mood evaporates in an instant. How does she know about the engagement party?

She laughs, sensing my confusion. “Your grandmother invited half the city. I think everyone from St. John’s received an invitation—which, by the way, looked like they cost a thousand dollars a pop. I’m shocked a swarm of butterflies didn’t spring forth when I opened the box.”

Oh god.

“Right. Yeah…she gets a little carried away.”

I sound apologetic, which might be why she eases up.

“They were pretty, really. I’m just still in shock. You and Emmett? Since when?”

And so it begins.

The lying, the deceit, the stories.

No one has coached me on what I’m supposed to say. It would be nice to sync up my version of events with Emmett’s so we don’t sound like fools. Hell, for all I know, he’s being totally forthcoming with the truth. Collette might already know the engagement is a sham.