Chapter Twenty-Seven
“What do you think this big news is?” Abbey asked as Nick stood by her side of the car, holding the door open for her. He reached out and offered his hand to help her step over a small pile of snow in her heels.
“There’s no telling with her,” he said. “She has a very unique personality. She’s extremely outspoken, which is funny, because my dad was always more reserved… You know, she really likes you. She told me about a hundred times.”
“Why would she?” She didn’t mean the question to come out like that. “What I meant was, what in particular does she like so much about me? She and I are so different.”
They walked together between a pair of giant evergreen shrubs in pots, their limbs cut in a spiral shape and covered in white lights. They stepped under the long awning that had “The Jefferson” in curly gold writing on the front, each side of their path lined with red poinsettias. The doorman opened the door for them.
Nick nodded his thanks to the doorman and then answered, “I think it’s because you both are sort of no-nonsense in your own ways. She liked your honesty and transparency. You are always yourself no matter what is put in front of you. I like that about you too.”
They entered the lobby of the hotel, and Abbey stopped walking. Nick looked over to her to see what was wrong and then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw him smile and wait for her to take in the amazing view surrounding her.
The entire room, as big as a sports field, was surrounded by balconies, their edges draped in fresh greenery, their railings anchored by large, marble columns. There were so many poinsettias that it would take all night to count them. The marble floors were covered in an enormous rug, small seating areas arranged along the edges. And in the center a twenty-eight-foot Christmas tree that stretched all the way up to the stained-glass dome above it. Every inch of the tree was covered in traditional ornaments and white lights.
“It’s so beautiful,” she said, having difficulty keeping her emotions in check. They moved from the red carpet runner leading up the stairs to the piles of Christmas greenery on the railings going up. She let her gaze wander the two floors and marble columns, the detail and ornamentation on every surface.
“Yes. Very beautiful,” he said, but he was looking down at her.
He ushered her forward and they walked toward the restaurant. The marble floors gave way to hardwoods, the round columns turning square and in front of her, in the ornate style of a cathedral, was a bar, the lighting illuminating the edges in a gold glow. The stools with burgundy padded seats were perfectly lined along the front of it, and it almost looked like a piece of art. They walked past it into the dining room where Susan was standing and waving ceaselessly.
Every table was covered in white linens, the chairs a burnt orange to match the drapes and rug covering the hardwoods. Chandeliers dripped down from the ceiling in various places. Abbey’s eyes followed the ornate moldings around the windows and the ceiling. A huge fireplace sat at one end of the room, the mantle covered in candles and more greenery, the wall-sized mirror above it reflecting its light.
Nick guided Abbey to the table where she met Robin, James, Thomas, Caroline, and a man she’d never met before. Thomas was sitting quietly, his hands in his lap, his hair perfectly combed to the side while James was playing “I Spy” with him. Susan walked around the table to greet them, kissing them both on each cheek. She held Abbey’s hands and pulled her arms out by her sides.
“You look fantastic!” she said to Abbey.
“Thank you.” Abbey smiled, feeling a little like an imposter in those clothes. She was glad they’d already met the real her because she surely didn’t feel herself dressed like this.
“She looks like a runway model, Nick,” Susan said, her eyebrows jumping up and down in excitement. “Come! Sit! I am bursting at the seams!”
They sat down and Nick eyed the man across from him, a slight crease forming between his eyes. He smiled politely at him and held out his hand across the table. “I’m Nick Sinclair, Susan’s son.”
“Hello,” he nodded, shaking Nick’s hand. “I’m Carl Simmons.”
“And you know… my mother?”
“Yes!” Susan butted in. “Everyone, I have an announcement to make.” She held up a finger to one of the wait staff and he brought over a bottle of champagne, uncorked it with an echoing pop, filled champagne glasses, and then set the bottle inside a silver bucket at the end of the table.
Abbey politely took the glass she was offered.
When the waiter had disappeared, Susan continued. “Carl and I have known each other for quite some time. Last month, he proposed.” She held up her hand and turned it around so everyone could view the boulder of a diamond she had hanging off her ring finger. “So, I wanted you all to meet him.”