bChapter /bb195 /b

“Don’t you know Edith’s messing around out there right now? She’s your wife–can’t you keep her in line?”

As Justin boarded the ne, a message from Beckett shed across his phone.

He narrowed his eyes, rarely this blunt. “Idiot.”

Beckett stared at the terse reply, indignation rising as he prepared to fire back–only to see Salome walking over. He hastily locked his phone, feigning innocence.

Inwardly, he muttered: Edith, you’d better behave yourself. Don’te crying when you’re banned froming back to the Vance family.

Edith, meanwhile, had just epted a ss of juice from the flight attendant when she suddenly sneezed.

Justin tucked away his phone and, right on cue, handed her a tissue with genuine concern. “Did you not keep warm enoughst night?”

She remembered then–she’d kicked off the covers a few times. How could she not, with the man beside her holding her so tightly she could hardly breathe? She’d been so warm, she’d had no choice but to shove off the nket.

Mid–flight, Justin began introducing the rtives from the Hawksley branch in Southborough.

“My uncle’s business in Southborough keeps him so busy, he barely has time for my cousin Pennie. She’s not a bad person, just a little spoiled. If she does anything that makes you ufortable, tell me. I’ll sort it out for you.”

Edith couldn’t help butugh. The way he phrased it was just too funny.

What did he mean, he’d “make herfortable“?

She grinned. “Justin, I’m inot /ia child. I don’t need to go running to you withints. Besides, Pennie’s the bride–the star of the show. I’m just a guest. I can handle a little attitude.”

Justin shook his head, suddenly serious. “Edith, when you’re with me, you don’t have to put up with anything from anyone.”

She blinked, momentarily caught off guard. She’d always believed it was better to be understanding, to be gentle. If no one ever made allowances, wouldn’t that just make her seem entitled? And nobody likes people who are too entitled.

16:42

She figured Justin was just saying what he thought she wanted to hear. She’d learned from Jayne that some things are best left as words–just listen and let them go.

The ne touched down in Southborough.

Summer here was sticky and hot, the salty tang of the sea drifting in on the breeze.

Pennie’s wedding was set on the shore–a grand affair that merged politics and business. The press had already cordoned off the beach in a frenzied mass.

Edith kept a low profile, sticking close to Justin as they made their way to the guest

lounge.

Compared to the bustling crowd outside, the dozen or so people in the lounge felt like nothing.

Pennie was in the middle of a tantrum, though the reason wasn’t clear. Aunt Car Hawksley was gently trying to soothe her. “Pennie, you’re about to get married–can’t you show a little maturity? What’s the point of throwing a fit today? Even if those floozies outside parade right up to you, so what? You’re about to be Mrs. Flynn. Why stoop to argue with those girls?”

Pennie’s face was pinched, her beauty marred by a thunderous scowl. “How can I not care? That woman outside looks just like Winston Flynn’s old me. She almost married into the Flynn family herself!”

Edith felt awkward, realizing they’d walked in at the worst possible moment. She squeezed Justin’s hand a little tighter, nerves fluttering.

Uncle Oliver Hawksley and Car, spotting Justin’s arrival, put Pennie’s drama aside.

Oliver came forward with a warm smile. “Justin! Work keeping you busy? It’s quite a trip out heree, have a seat.‘

Car personally poured water for them.

Justin, unhurried as ever, pulled out a chair for Edith first, motioning for her to sit.

With everyone’s eyes on her, Edith smiled and took her seat, her gaze sweeping the room in a polite greeting to the assembled rtives.

Finally, her eyesnded on the woman sitting beside Pennie.

16:42

bChapter /bb196 /b