She's obviously come straight from OWM and the object of her crush-Gavin Lloyd, the founder and head of the private wealth management firm.
Nonny gets up and hugs Traci. "Traci! I haven't seen you in ages."
Surprise flickers in Traci's hazel eyes. "Hey, Nonny! Wow-all grown up. Great to see you too."
I smile. I never told Nonny about the details of my fallout with Traci. My sister thinks Traci and I couldn't hang out anymore because of our parents. At first I kept it quiet because I didn't want to disillusion Nonny, then later I didn't see the point of rehashing the painful past. Looking at the big grin on Nonny's face, I know I made the right decision. My sister was too young then. She didn't need to know everything and have the past color her perception of the world around her.
Next Traci comes over, and we embrace. "Welcome to the team, girl," she says with a big laugh.
"Thank you. I'm so excited."
"I knew you could do it. Jana loves straight shooters, and you don't bull-uh, beat around the bush." She looks curiously at Elliot and Elizabeth.
I make a hasty introduction.
Elizabeth smiles warmly, as gracious as ever. "It's always a pleasure to meet Annabelle's friends."
Traci flushes. "The pleasure's mine."
Elliot musters a smile, but there is a slight edge to it that makes the hair on the back of my neck prickle. "I've heard a lot about you, Traci."
"Hopefully all good stuff?" she says with a wink and a trilling laugh.
"Of course. My wife adores her friends."
I glance at him sharply. Was there a little bite to "friends"?
Traci doesn't seem to have noticed anything. Maybe I'm being overly sensitive. I know Elliot doesn't think highly of Traci for dumping me two years ago. As far as he's concerned, she's a crappy friend, but he's only thinking about what he would've done. It isn't fair for a man who's never had to struggle financially to make that kind of judgment.
Traci says something, and Elliot laughs. His hand is back on my shoulder, and he strokes my skin with his long fingers as he talks. I shake my head inwardly. I'm overthinking this. Everyone's having a great time, and Elliot isn't judging Traci. As a matter of fact, he's making an effort to get to know her, and I should be grateful. Unless Traci relocates, I'm sure we'll be tight again. What happened two years ago was a dip in the road, not a cliff.
We order. Since it's to celebrate my job, Elizabeth suggests a champagne toast to start, with Nonny having ginger ale. The server nods approvingly, and I fidget. I know it's a special occasion, and everyone's here for me, but I'm not going to drink. Still, how to gracefully turn it down …
Elliot squeezes my hand and whispers, "Don't worry."
He crooks his finger at the server, who scurries over, and whispers something in his ear. The server frowns in concentration and nods before leaving.
"Dom or Veuve Clicquot?" Elizabeth asks.
Elliot grins. "It's a surprise."
Gratitude unfurls inside me. I've never had anybody who shared my burden before, and it feels surprisingly liberating … and gratifying to know that I have someone who's got my back. And not just any someone. Elliot. He's the reason I feel the way I do. I grin at him, letting all my gratitude and love show on my face. "I think he asked for the most expensive vintage."
He brings my hand to his lips and kisses my knuckles. His eyes are on mine as he murmurs, "Nothing's too good for my wife."
Elizabeth rolls her eyes. "Get a room."
Her gaze lowered, Traci sips her water, hiding a big portion of her face behind the glass dripping with condensation. "I think it's romantic. They're newlyweds. They should be all over each other."
"Yes, but I'd rather not think about it. Elliot is my brother."
Nonny nods in sympathy. "Totally gross."
"I'm going to need more than one champagne to get over the trauma."
Elliot snorts. "Don't drink too much. You have to drive."
The waiter serves our bubblies. I pick mine up and inhale. It doesn't have the bite of alcohol, just the spicy sweetness of ginger ale.
Elliot raises his glass. "To new beginnings."
We toast and drink. I give him a smile. I didn't realize my life would change like this when he thrust the contract at me. Now I'm grateful for having met him.
The food comes soon after our toast. My dinner is seared beef medallions with a dark wine-based sauce and potatoes on the side. The meat is so tender and juicy, it practically seems to melt.
Elizabeth licks her lips after a bite of fish. "This is really good."
"Is this authentic?" Nonny asks, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"No. It's adjusted to suit the American palate," Elliot says. "And bigger portions. The French take two bites and they're done."