Lured into Love (Blossom in Winter #2) - Melanie Martins Page 0,11
don’t want to stay in New York for much longer.”
I can’t help but chuckle at her comment. “Um, it depends when his family can come over.”
“Mom and Julia suggested in two weeks,” Alex replies. “It might be better to wait until you get back on your feet though.”
“Oh, wow. They already know? I see news travels fast.”
A smile settles on our lips as we look at each other, and I can’t help but feel the heat on my cheeks rising. This time, though, it’s not from the sunlight. Jeez, I still can’t believe I’m engaged to him. And Dad being okay with it? It feels almost too good to be true. “I think in two weeks I should be fine. Who’s attending?”
“Everyone,” he says.
My eyes widen at his response. “You mean everyone everyone?”
“Yes, everyone you saw at Christmas is attending.”
“You can also invite your parents,” I say to Emma. “They have always been so kind to me.”
“Alright, I will.”
Alex starts checking his iPhone and asks, “Should we host the gathering on the eleventh, around six p.m?”
“Sounds good to me,” Emma mumbles as Maria puts some grilled vegetables on her plate.
“Dad?” I ask, looking at him. “Is the evening of the eleventh okay for you?”
“Huh?” Dad looks back at me a bit dazzled, as if he was somewhere else, engrossed in his own thoughts. “Yes, the eleventh is perfect.” After taking a sip of his sauvignon blanc, he adds, “Don’t forget the eighth is the beginning of the fall semester at Columbia.”
“Does that mean I will have classes on campus?” I ask instantly.
“No, unfortunately. I just received an email from the president, and there won’t be classes on campus this year. Everything will be done online.”
“But what about my group? Does that mean I won’t see them the entire year?”
“Do they live in Manhattan?” Dad asks.
“Hmm, I think so.”
“Well, why not invite them over to our place so you can attend the online courses together? Might be better than spending your entire college year studying alone.”
Our place? So does that mean I will have to return to Park Avenue once my classes start again? I can’t believe after everything Alex and I have gone through, Dad wouldn’t agree for me to live with my fiancé. After all, Alex also has a condo in the city.
“It’s a great idea. I can pick you up once you’re done,” Alex replies, which basically confirms what I was thinking. And the fact that he doesn’t even suggest to my dad for us to remain living together shouldn’t surprise me. “What do you think, Miss Van Gatt?”
You know exactly what I think. But instead I say, “That would be great. Thanks.” After all, this lunch is not the right place to talk about it.
“Do you guys have anyone in mind to plan the event?” Emma suddenly asks.
I take sip of water before saying, “Um, no, not really.”
With a big grin on her face, I know exactly what she is about to say. “Perfect. I’m in charge of it, then.”
Alex drops his jaw like he’s about to unleash some sort of comment, but I manage to speak first. “Are you sure? What do you intend to do?”
“I can arrange the setting, the flowers, the music, the invitation cards, like, all that stuff, you know. I’ve organized plenty of parties in my life. Fifteen days is short, but I can manage.”
And with a hint of naughtiness, I look at him and ask, “What do you think, Mr. Van Dieren?”
“Sure,” he mumbles, returning the smile. His eyes then go to Emma, but now they are more formal. “What exactly do you have in mind?”
“Hmm…” Emma takes out her iPhone, and after checking something, she shows us a picture on Pinterest of an elegant dinner with candles, white tablecloths, live music, and an impeccable setting. “Something like this. What do you think?”
“Oh, wow.” My lips curve into a broad smile, picturing our engagement party in such a classy setting. “That looks fantastic.”
“Perfect,” she says. “And how many people are gonna attend?”
“Thirteen adults,” Alex replies. “Including you and your parents.”
As I watch them discuss the details of our party, and how they can arrange the terrace to include live music, a soft smile quietly charms my lips, warming up my heart. Being engaged to him tastes better than anything I could’ve dreamt of. And I make the conscious effort to keep it in my memory for as long as I shall live. To me, having lunch surrounded by all those I