“We are going to have a conversation,” she hisses under her breath, “a serious, serious conversation.”
“I look forward to it.” I nod as I slide my hand in hers.
The concierge is still giving us a tour, but Avery is the only one talking to him. “I’m not kidding,”
she says in a whisper, but her tone is stern. I lean in to kiss her, seeing that Avery has her back to me.
“Did he say this has three bedrooms?”
“Not sure,” I say, looking at the man whose name I didn’t even catch because I was too worried about Addison freaking out.
“How many bedrooms?” Addison asks the man, who smiles at her, and I want to throat punch him.
Even though he’s close to his sixties, it’s stupid since I’m holding her hand, and it’s clear we’re together.
“There are three,” he says. “If you go through that door right there.” He points at the glass door.
“It’s the outdoor patio.” He puts his hands in front of him. “It has access to the library and the formal dining room.”
“Library?” Addison asks, shocked, and he nods proudly.
“I think we are good. I don’t want to keep you,” I tell him. “We will have a look around.”
“I will have everything set up for the tea in a couple of hours.” He looks at us. “The clothes are already away and hanging.”
“Thank you,” I say and watch him leave the room before turning toward the door. The minute the door is closed, Addison folds her arms over her chest and glares at me.
“Avery,” I call her name and she sticks her head in the room. “Grand-mère sent you a couple of things.” My eyes look at Avery, who jumps up. “I think it’s in one of the closets.” She turns to run out of the room.
“You left your mother in charge of buying us clothes?” she grumbles between clenched teeth.
“I did,” I say softly, “but in my defense, I don’t think I gave it enough thought.”
“Really?” she retorts, making me chuckle, but the chuckle leaves when I see how pissed she is.
“Listen, you were in the shower,” I start to tell her, “and then I wanted to surprise you, so I called Sofia. Then I didn’t know how much time I had, so I called my father.” I hold up my hands.
“Obviously, I didn’t know he would go to the extreme.”
“Extreme?” she screeches. “A three-bedroom penthouse suite with a library.” I roll my lips to stop laughing. “With a baby grand piano.” She points over to the piano. “I’ve stayed in my share of suites before”—she looks around—“but even this is a little bit out of my comfort zone.”
“Momma, Momma!” Avery yells from somewhere in this place, her voice echoing. “Look at this,”
she says, coming into the room dragging something blue and sparkly behind her. “Look, it’s Cinderella’s gown.”
“Oh my,” she says as she picks up the dress that is bigger than her. “Oh my,” she repeats as she grabs the dress from Avery. “This is…” She holds out the dress that literally looks like a replica of what Cinderella wore.
“Can I put it on?” Avery asks, jumping in the same spot, her hand flopping up and down. “I want to wear it today.”
“This is,” Addison says as she looks at the dress. “This has to have cost—” She doesn’t get anything out because there is a knock on the door.
“You should answer that, it might be Princess Kate to have tea with us,” Addison deadpans and all I can do is kiss her lips. “We are having a conversation.” I kiss her again. “This is over the line.”
It’s at that moment we both look down and see Avery looking at us. “Um,” I start to say, “I like your mom.” I close my eyes, thinking how dumb I sound right now.
“Aunt Sofia and Uncle Matty kiss all the time,” she says. “Do you like her like that?”
“I do,” I confirm, looking at Addison, who is staring at me and not saying a word.
“We are having many conversations tonight,” she grumbles between clenched teeth.
“Noted,” I tell her as the person knocks again. “But in my defense, have you met my mother?”
“Stefano,” she seethes as I walk away from her, going to the front door, pulling it open, and seeing my father and mother standing there.
My mother just smiles big at me. “Bonjour.” Hello, she says, coming in and hugging me.