by Anita Hughes
“Anything you’re going to do,” Olivia suggested. “Visit mosques in Istanbul or go cliff diving in Croatia. Hadley would give me the summer off to be with you, and I’ve hardly been anywhere. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to go where the wind takes us?”
“I’m too old for cliff diving and plane tickets are expensive.” Sebastian said nervously. “Besides, wouldn’t Finn be furious if you left him alone to eat Chinese takeout?”
“I have some money saved up. I could pay for our whole holiday.” Olivia stopped and her lips trembled. “Unless you don’t want to. You probably have other people to see.”
“There’s no one I’d rather be with than you.” He squeezed her hand. “Finn was upset that you went scuba diving without him. What is he going to say if you purchase a one-way airline ticket?”
“Of course I’d book a return flight,” she protested. “You’re the one who said I should see the world before I settle down. I’ll be twenty-five tomorrow; when am I going to travel to other countries?”
Sebastian ate a bite of eggs and his face broke into a smile. “It’s a wonderful plan! From Capri we’ll take a ferry to Casablanca. We’ll sip dried apricots in cognac at Rick’s Café and feel like Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.”
“I’m so excited!” Olivia clapped her hands. “I can’t wait to tell Hadley.”
“Maybe you should keep it our secret for now,” he suggested.
“Why would I do that?” she asked.
“Hadley might think I persuaded you. It’s better if you tell her after I’m gone,” he explained. “What will you say to Finn?”
“He might be hesitant but I’ll make him understand.” She paused. “Isn’t that what love is, wanting the person you love to be happy?”
“That’s why love never works,” Sebastian sighed. “It’s almost impossible to be happy without making the other person miserable.”
* * *
Olivia parked her car on Rue de la République and grabbed her purse. It was almost noon and the sidewalk teemed with men and women wearing bright swimwear and designer sunglasses. Yachts bobbed in the harbor and the air smelled of frangipani and perfume.
Olivia leaned against the sidewalk’s railing and thought Gustavia really was beautiful. Palm trees lined the promenade and there were elegant boutiques and dazzling jewelry stores.
She entered Les Case aux Livres and drifted through the shelves. She was going to buy books about Africa and Australia. There was a glossy atlas and she thought it would be fun to trace their route, like a geography assignment in high school.
“Olivia!” a male voice exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”
Olivia turned and saw Finn clutching a paper bag. He wore tennis whites and his hair was damp with sweat.
“I was looking for a present for Hadley,” she gulped, stuffing the atlas back on the shelf. “It is her birthday too. I thought I’d buy a hardback book or box of stationery.”
“Felix and I finished our match early,” Finn explained. “Why don’t we get some fish and chips and sit by the water.”
Olivia paid for a coffee table book and followed Finn onto the sidewalk. She adjusted her sunglasses and felt slightly guilty. They never kept anything from each other and she’d planned her summer without consulting him.
They bought mahimahi dumplings and conch fritters and sat on a red wooden bench.
“These are delicious,” Olivia mused. It was heavenly sitting in the warm sun and watching sailboats skim over the waves. Finn’s arm brushed her shoulder and she wondered if she was making a mistake.
“I’ve been wanting to ask you something since we arrived in St. Barts,” he began, wiping tartar sauce from his chin. “But the first night Sebastian joined us at the Pipiri Palace and the second evening I thought he might come home early, and last night I was afraid he would appear while we were eating banana flambé.”
“Ask me what?” Olivia brushed crumbs from her sarong.
“Do you remember when we met at the gallery in Chelsea?” he said. “I came inside to escape the heat and you helped me deliver a letter. I asked you to get gelato and you said you didn’t date strangers,” he grinned, “I might be an international spy.
“I looked at you in that red linen dress with your blond hair tucked behind your ears and you were so beautiful. Magazines make you believe love is more grueling than studying for the law review. But every day with you is better than the one before.” He reached into his pocket and drew out a black velvet box. “I love you more than anything and can’t imagine life without you. Olivia Miller, will you marry me?”
“You’re asking me to marry you here?” Olivia glanced at tourists carrying plastic buckets and children playing in the sand.
“I wanted to propose somewhere more romantic but I didn’t want to take any more chances.” Finn smiled. “I saw Sebastian board a sailboat and unless he jumps overboard, he’s somewhere near the horizon.”
Olivia blinked back sudden tears. She always imagined Finn would propose at an intimate restaurant. They’d eat baked snapper and kiss over chocolate soufflé for dessert.
But she was being silly. It didn’t matter where he proposed; the important thing was he wanted to marry her.
“I haven’t shown you the ring.” He snapped open the box. “I designed it with Kenneth Lane.”
Olivia studied the square-cut diamond on a platinum band and gasped. Finn had exquisite taste and they were going to be so happy.
“Oh, Finn,” she breathed. “It’s the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen.”
“I asked Felix and Hadley for their permission, of course. They offered to hold the wedding in St. Barts at Christmas.”
“At Christmas?” She looked up.
She pictured all the things she would have to do this summer—pick out her wedding dress, choose a caterer—and thought she couldn’t possibly go away with Sebastian.
“I knew you’d want to get married in St. Barts, and we don’t want to wait a whole year.” He kissed her. “We’ll have the ceremony at St. Bartholomew’s and the reception at the villa.”
“It’s just a little soon,” Olivia said and her stomach turned over.
“Soon for what?” Finn inquired.
“Sebastian invited us to Capri for a week in July. I know how busy you are, so I thought I’d go alone. Then I had the idea of going away with my father for the summer. You work such long hours, I almost never see you at all.”
“You want to go away with Sebastian alone?” Finn’s voice was tight.
“Ever since I was five years old I’ve kept a box of letters from Sebastian. I used to tuck them under my pillow and dream of going with him to China and the South Pacific.” She fiddled with her sarong. “There’s so much I haven’t seen and Sebastian is willing to show me. But if we get married in December, we’ll be so busy I won’t be able to go away at all.”
“How could you make plans without asking me?” he demanded.
“I didn’t mean to, I only thought of it this morning. I was going to tell you as soon as you arrived home. I understand if you’re upset but you know how important it is for me to spend time with Sebastian. When would I ever get to do it again?”
“Ever since Sebastian arrived I’ve tried to stay out of the way,” he said slowly. “I want you to have a relationship with your father. But I’ve made a mistake.”
“What are you saying?” she asked.
“Maybe this isn’t just about being with Sebastian. Maybe it’s something more. You’re not sure if I’m what you want. If you truly loved me you couldn’t bear the thought of being apart when we are about to get married.”
“That’s ridiculous, I love you and I can’t wait to be your wife! What’s a couple of months when we have decades ahead of us?” She looked at Finn. “I thought you’d be glad I get to realize one of my dreams.”
“I won’t stand in your way if that’s what you want.” Finn shrugged. “But you should get it out of your system before we make any plans.�
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“I don’t understand.” Olivia’s skin felt icy and she couldn’t breathe.
“Spend the summer with your father. If we’re still in love when you come back, we can get engaged.”
“Of course we’ll be in love!” she stammered. “Nothing is going to change the way I feel. I just want to spend some time with Sebastian before it’s too late.”
“That’s the problem, I don’t believe you know how you feel about us right now. If you did, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.” He stood. “I’m going for a walk. I’ll see you later.”
Olivia looked down at her naked hand and realized Finn had put the engagement ring back in his pocket. The tropical breeze caressed her shoulders and she let the tears stream down her cheeks.
* * *
Olivia raced up the steps of the villa and entered the hallway. Hadley sat in the living room, arranging books on the coffee table.
Hadley looked up. “Darling, it’s lovely to see you. Tell me everything about your evening. Did Finn propose?”
“He didn’t propose last night but this morning I ran into him in Gustavia,” Olivia began. “We sat on a bench and ate fish and chips and he pulled a ring out of his pocket. He said I was so beautiful and he couldn’t imagine life without me.” She paused. “Then he asked me to marry him.”
“Darling, I’m so happy for you.” Hadley glanced at Olivia’s hand. “Where’s the ring? I’m dying to see it.”
“We got into a terrible fight,” Olivia began to shake. “He said I needed to think about things and took it back.”
She climbed the staircase to her room and flung herself on her floral bedspread. She heard footsteps and her mother sat down on the bed beside her.
“It can’t be as bad as it sounds.” Hadley smoothed Olivia’s hair. “Tell me everything from the beginning.”
“The ring was stunning and I was so happy. Then Finn said we should get married in St. Barts at Christmas,” Olivia hiccupped. “Sebastian and I are going away for the summer and I said that wouldn’t be enough time.”’
Hadley froze. “You’re going away with Sebastian for the summer?”
“He invited me to Capri and I thought why not travel for a couple of months. The gallery is slow then and Finn will be busy at the law firm.” She paused. “I was so excited. We were going to visit all the places I dreamed of.”
“Sebastian convinced you to go away with him for the whole summer,” Hadley repeated.
“Sebastian said that’s what you would say, but it was my idea,” Olivia insisted. “He didn’t want to go at all, it’s quite expensive. I told him I had money saved up and could pay for the holiday.”
“How generous of you.” Hadley pursed her lips. “I’m sure Sebastian is already making hotel reservations.”
“Why shouldn’t I do something for him?” Olivia protested. “Lots of adult children take care of their parents and he’s never asked for anything.”
“You’re barely twenty-five and Sebastian isn’t in a nursing home,” Hadley bristled. “He’s a healthy middle-aged man capable of keeping himself in silk shirts and cigarettes.”
“But think of what he’s doing for me,” Olivia urged. “I’m going to see palaces in India and mountain villages in Nepal. By the time you and Sebastian were my age, you’d traveled to three continents. I haven’t done anything except buy cinnamon danishes at Zabar’s and swimsuits in Gustavia.”
“You’ve sold thousands of dollars’ worth of paintings and matched artists with collectors,” Hadley insisted. “And you’ve fallen in love with someone who’s kind and grounded and loves you more than anything.”
“Of course I love Finn,” Olivia replied. “All I wanted was to spend a couple of months with my father. Is that so bad?”
“If we understood love there would be no romantic movies,” Hadley sighed. “Let Finn cool off. I’m going to talk to Sebastian.”
“Sebastian didn’t do anything wrong.” Olivia sat up. “There’s nothing to say to him.”
“I have plenty to say to him.” Hadley opened the door. “Why don’t you take a shower, you’ll feel better.”
* * *
Olivia wrapped herself in a robe and entered the bathroom. She imagined waterfalls in South Africa and poppy fields in China and a shiver ran down her spine. Then she pictured Finn’s firm jaw and her heart turned over.
She stepped in the shower and the cool water touched her shoulders. Tears ran down her cheeks and she wondered how she was going to fix things without losing everything that mattered.
Chapter Twelve
HADLEY POLISHED THE GLASS AND held it up to the light. She knew she was being silly; Esther would load the dishwasher. But you could only get glasses spotless if you washed them by hand, and she loved the feel of smooth glass under her fingers.
How dare Sebastian agree to spend the summer with Olivia? He was lucky she didn’t break the glass over his head. Olivia said it was her idea. But until Sebastian appeared, Olivia was happy working at the gallery and holidaying in St. Barts. Now she behaved like a sixties flower child who had to drop out.
She remembered Olivia’s tear-stained cheeks and wondered if Finn was being harsh. Sebastian was her father. One couldn’t blame Olivia for wanting to be together.
But who knew what Olivia would decide to do next? It was Hadley’s fault for allowing Sebastian to stay at the villa. She should have made sure he only saw Olivia for cocktails and family dinners.
The front door opened and Sebastian appeared. His cheeks were tan and he wore board shorts and leather sandals.
“I didn’t think anyone was home.” He entered the kitchen. “I met a German couple and they invited me on their sailboat. The sea was a sheet of diamonds, you should have joined me.”
“I was busy.” Hadley reached up and placed the glass in the cabinet.
“If you hold that pose, I could paint you,” he sighed, perching on a stool. “You remind me of Marilyn Monroe in Some Like It Hot.”
“Isn’t that an old movie even for you?” Hadley raised her eyebrow.
“Classics never go out of style. You’re still the most beautiful woman I know. And you’re positively glowing.” He studied her blond hair and high cheekbones. “It must have been our tête-à-tête last night. A smooth cognac and delightful conversation is good for the complexion.”
“For your information I’m not glowing. I’m furious,” Hadley snapped. “Finn proposed to Olivia this morning.”
Sebastian walked to the counter and opened a bottle of vodka. He poured two shots and handed one to Hadley.
“I always thought the expression ‘punched in the gut’ was something out of a bad detective novel. Now I understand what it means. So he really means to take our little girl away.” He looked at Hadley. “But why are you furious? Don’t tell me he bought a cheap ring. She should wear at last three carats.”
“I didn’t see the ring because she wasn’t wearing it,” Hadley replied.
A smile crossed Sebastian’s face and he laughed. “You’re furious because Olivia turned him down. She came to her senses and realized she’s too young. In a few years it will be different, but she’s still a child.”
“She didn’t turn him down. Finn said they should get married at Christmas in St. Barts and Olivia said that wasn’t enough time.” Hadley glared at Sebastian. “Because she was going to travel in the summer with her father. Finn was so angry, he took back the ring and stalked off.”
“How very ungentlemanly.” Sebastian nodded. “Of course you’re furious at him. Olivia deserves better.”
“The only man I am furious with is you,” Hadley seethed. “How dare you agree to spend the summer with Olivia. You knew Finn would be upset.”
“To be honest, I thought it was an unlikely suggestion,” he mused. “I can’t afford the kind of accommodation Olivia is used to. But Olivia was insistent. How could I say no?”
“By being a good parent and making her realize she needs to put Finn first,” sh
e explained. “That might be hard for you. The only person you think about is Sebastian Miller.”
“Now you are being cruel.” He sipped his drink. “When Olivia was twelve, I stayed at a monastery in Tibet. From the window you could see green trellises and organic gardens.
“A few days into my stay I came down with malaria. My skin was yellow and my throat was parched and I thought I was going to die.” He paused. “Do you know how I forced myself to stay alive? One of the monks gave me a notebook and every night I wrote down the places I wanted to take Olivia: Kabul and Dubai and Stockholm to see the Milky Way. I still keep it in my suitcase. How could I pass up the chance to fill it with places we’ve actually been?”
“Malaria! And you never told me.” Hadley looked at Sebastian suspiciously. “Don’t they have vaccines to protect you?”
“When the doctor finally arrived he said my skin was yellow because I was anemic.” He shrugged. “Those vegetable-based diets never have quite enough iron. The point is I thought I was dying and the image of our daughter kept me alive. What’s two months when she and Finn have a lifetime together?”
“They won’t have any time together unless they make up,” Hadley sighed. “You are going to make Olivia realize she’d have more fun this summer attending engagement parties and cake tastings. And I’m going to call the club and see if I can find Finn.”
“Would it really be so bad if they didn’t get back together?” Sebastian fiddled with his glass. “If their relationship can’t stand a small tremor how would it survive an earthquake? Olivia is a successful career woman, why does she need to get married at all? Perhaps later, when she wants children. But these days there are more ways to have a child than ice cream flavors at the supermarket.”
“Marriage is the best thing in the world,” Hadley protested. “You don’t know anything about it.”
“I know a passionate woman who sleeps under a plaid throw on the sofa when she should be wrapped in satin sheets. She spends her time polishing glassware when she could be discussing art and music.” He paused. “If you and Felix are so happy, why are you never together except during cocktail hour?”
