Caroline

“One more time before the break. Three, two, one. Go.”

The chorus starts again, and I fight with all my might to keep a straight face. We’re currently rehearsing the songs for the Halloween celebration, and I swear each of the fifteen kids is singing to their own tune. They put so much heart and soul into it, bless them, that I don’t have the heart to keep correcting them.

“Lovely,” I announce when they’re done. “I’ll see you after the break.”

They skitter around, their laughter and chatter filling the air. I head straight to the staff room. Karla and Rita slip in right behind me, talking about their plans this evening. I join the conversation, grateful for the distraction. I will not check the weather report in the Adirondack Mountains. I will not check it. 

Ever since Daniel told me he’s taking a group there this week, I’ve been refreshing the page with the weather forecast about a dozen times a day. Monday there was just an alert about windy conditions. Tuesday they announced there was a mild risk of a blizzard. As of this morning, the risk was mild too, but they said there is a real possibility the warning will change to red around noon. It’s eleven o’clock now. Midway through the break, I break down and check the weather report. My stomach clenches. There is now a high risk of a blizzard.

Is Daniel still there with his group? He has been reckless in the past, though I can’t imagine him endangering his life and that of his clients this way. Still, if I just knew for sure, I could breathe more easily. I’ve been sleeping like shit since Monday, worrying. Wondering. Tapping my fingers on my phone, I briefly considering texting Summer or Jenna, asking them if they’ve heard from Daniel, but that would open a can of worms.

I only have one option left: calling Daniel himself. Excusing myself from the staff room, I head to my empty classroom and dial his number. It rings for so long, I almost give up, but then he answers.

“Hey, Caroline.”

I swear my very bones liquefy as the tension melts from my body. I hadn’t even realized I was so tense. 

“Hey! How are you? Everything all right?”

“Sure. Why wouldn’t it be?”

With a jolt, I realize how awkward I’m coming across, calling out of the blue to ask if he’s okay. Sitting on my desk, I dangle my legs, carefully considering my words.

“I saw they announced a blizzard in the Adirondacks, and I....”

“You were worried about me.”

No point denying it. “Yes.”

“Don’t. We canceled the hiking trip yesterday. Too dangerous. We’re improvising other activities for the rest of the week.”

“When are you returning to San Francisco?”

“Next Thursday. I’m going to another group in the Rocky Mountains after I finish here. Can’t wait to be back home. It’s not sunny, but at least it’s not as cold. Almost forgot how it feels to be warm.”

“Drink some hot chocolate and you’ll be golden,” I encourage. The second the words are out of my mouth, I can’t stop a vision forming in my mind, of me heading to Daniel’s when he returns on Friday, helping him warm up, take care of him. I make a mean cup of hot chocolate. Shaking my head, I inwardly laugh at myself. I have no claim on Daniel. He’s not mine to make happy. Except... friends cheer each other up. I could go over as his friend. Ah, who am I kidding? By the way my body hummed at his proximity last Saturday, I’d fall right back in his bed.

“There are better ways of getting warm.” The subtle change in his tone alerts me that his thoughts aren’t on the straight and narrow path either. “Hot wine, a hot shower. Skin-on-skin contact. What d’you think? Asking for a friend.”

I grin from ear to ear, but try to work in as much severity as possible in my tone. “You’re insufferable.”

He laughs. “You sound so convincing. For your information, your voice sounds different when you smile.”

Clearing my throat, I force my facial muscles in a serious expression, but they put up a good fight. “Oh, Dan, I can never win against you. I just called to make sure you’re okay. Let’s leave it at that.”

He’s silent for a few seconds, then finally says, “I’m sorry you were worried about me. I would’ve texted if I knew.”

“My own fault for checking the weather report so often. But you’re okay, so I can go about my day.” 

“And you won’t give me another thought?”

I’m the one who can hear the smile in his voice now. “Not one single thought. I have to go, by the way. Break will be over soon.”

“Sure. Enjoy your day.” A few seconds pass, but I’m still holding on to the call. “You can hang up anytime.”

“You hang up.” I smile, remembering we used to play this game eons ago.

“I’m not the one who has to go.”

“Fine, I’ll hang up. Bye, Daniel.” I click off the next second, feeling a little light-headed.

The feeling persists the entire day, right until I receive another phone call, from my brother, just as I’m on my way out of the school. 

“Hey, sis, I’ll be quick. I have some bad news. I’ll only be able to make it to the opening party for half an hour or so when I’m in town.”

My stomach sinks. “Oh?”

“One of the keynote speakers dropped out, and they asked me to fill in for him. The keynotes are back to back, and I only get one break, which is when I’ll swing by at the store.” 

“And you can’t say no? They have time to find someone else.”

“This is a fantastic opportunity to get my name out there.”

“I know, it’s just... I wish you could stay longer. We’ll only see you for half an hour? We could drive you to the airport.”

“That’s a drag. How about an early breakfast on Sunday morning? You can show me everything we don’t have time for on Saturday.”

“Yes! Thank you, thank you, thank you!” 

Just like that, my good mood is back.

***

Daniel

On Friday morning, I pace around the meeting room, waiting for my team to arrive. Our weekly meetings are usually on Tuesdays, but we had to reschedule since I was in the Adirondacks last week and the Rocky Mountains this week. We used to do them Monday, but since many weekend events last until Monday, part of the team was always missing.

I usually look forward to the weekly meeting. Everyone presents the highlights of the past week, the plans for this one. We strategize and brainstorm. If there are any problems, we tackle them together. Damn it, I trust every single person on my team. But those leaked pictures were too clear to be taken by paparazzi from outside with a long-lens camera.

And the only ones attending both events were the four people from my team: Marcel and Honor, who spearhead all events of this type; Justin, who’s an excellent organizational talent and has been with the company almost from the beginning; and our intern, Colbert. It’s too early to point fingers, but I’m going to keep a closer eye on Colbert. He’s been with us for only four months, and is the most likely to be tempted by the money gossip magazines offer for insider pics. 

My assistant, Jennifer, arrives first, sitting in her usual chair. “Morning.”

“Morning, Jen.”

One by one, the rest of the team filters in, all twenty-five of them. I pace the room even after everyone sits. I decide to open up with the unpleasant subject, get it out of the way, though I won’t share my concern about the culprit being part of the team.

“As you all know, we had a second case of leaked photos last week. We can’t let it happen again.”

“We’ll secure the perimeter outside better,” Honor suggests at once.

Marcel taps his fingers on the table, frowning. “Maybe as a precaution, we should ask the guests to leave their phones with us for the duration of the event.”

Justin shakes his head. “These are heavyweights in the entertainment industry, not kids going to a concert. You bring that up, you’ll piss them off. Any more bright ideas like this, and soon we won’t have customers left.”

Justin’s experience is worth its weight in gold because he’s absolutely right. As the most senior member of the team, I respect him. He’s like a mentor to me, but he lacks tact. His tone is so cutting that Honor almost recoils. Marcel sets his jaw. Colbert doesn’t say anything, but he rarely does. He’s a doer, not a talker. One of the reasons I gave him the internship. 

“No restrictions on the guests,” I say. “We need them happy. Happy guests come back for more.”

“Honor and I will work on a list of measures to implement,” Marcel says. Looking around the table, he adds, “Everyone around here is welcome to send me suggestions. I’ll go through them with Daniel. No point discussing them now, or we’ll spend the entire meeting doing just that.”

“Let’s move on,” I agree. “Anyone have any issues which are not on the agenda?”

Chelsea, our activities coordinator, clears her throat. “We’re getting more and more inquiries about indoor activities—team sports, individual training, maybe even indoor rock climbing.”

“You want us to add a gym,” I say, finally sitting too. We’ve had this conversation a few times, and I wasn’t sold on the idea. Doesn’t fit under our umbrella of experiences too well, but I might just be too subjective because I like being outdoors so much. 

“It’s not exactly our jam, but why not give people what they want?” As if reading my mind, she adds, “Everything can be an experience. Depends how we sell it. I’ve compiled a list of the activities that keep popping up in the requests.”

“Okay. Come to my office after the meeting, and we’ll go through them.”

“I’ve had some requests too. I’ll gladly pass them on,” Marcel says with a look at Chelsea, who nods appreciatively.

Unlike Justin, Marcel has the right qualities to lead a team. He commands respect without fear, keeps calm even in a crisis. But suspicion nags at me today. Was his suggestion to move on from the topic of the photos just tact, or is he hiding something? Was Honor’s idea to secure the perimeter outside quick thinking, or an attempt to keep the focus on outsiders?

***

“Friday is my favorite day of the week,” Summer exclaims, hopping on a barstool, stretching.

“Sounds like you need a drink,” Blake says. He’s behind the counter, mixing a cocktail. His bar is my favorite place to come to relax after a long week. A few other Bennetts should filter in too at some point. Friday is the unofficial family day. Blake’s at the bar anyway, and whoever has time stops by.

“Or five,” my sister counters.

Blake shakes his head. “Cutoff is at three.”

Summer leans over the bar, poking him in the ribs. “Oi, I wasn’t asking for permission.”

I laugh. “He’s just doing his brotherly duty.”

She sits back on her chair, waggling her finger from Blake to me. “I’m twenty-seven.”

Leaning closer to her, I put an arm around her shoulders. “Yeah, but see, we’re always going to be three years older than you, so you’ll always be our little sister. That’s how it works. No escaping it.” 

Summer sighs dramatically. “Brothers! Can’t live with them, can’t live without them.”

“So, what happened this week to make you need five drinks?” I inquire, wondering if she’s having any troubles at the gallery.

“Oh, nothing bad happened. I’m just feeling feisty.” 

She attacks her drink as soon as Blake shoves it in front of her. Sebastian and Logan arrive shortly afterward, making their way to the counter through the crowd.

“Just the five of us tonight,” Sebastian says. “Max and Christopher are still in a meeting, and they’re going straight to their homes afterward. Pippa has gone shopping with Julie.”

Logan points at the draft. “I’ll have a beer, please.”

“In a second. Let’s move the party to the table I reserved. Easier to talk,” Blake says, motioning with his head to the right. “My bartenders will take care of the bar.”

Taking our drinks, we head to the table. Since it’s in a corner, it’s marginally quieter than the rest of the venue. 

“So, who’s got any news?” Sebastian asks after we sit.

I consider bringing up the issue with the photos, then dismiss the idea. No reason to involve my siblings in my mess, least of all a mess involving the media. When it comes to the media, I have their backs, not the other way around.

I listen to each of my brothers in turn, but something about Summer’s expression tips me off that she’s hiding something. No one is more terrible than my baby sister at keeping secrets.

Blake seems to be thinking along the same lines because he points at our sister, saying, “Summer, you’re bursting to say something.”

“This isn’t my news to tell, but I guess she’ll tell you soon enough anyway.”

Sebastian frowns. “She? Who are you talking about?”

Summer grins. “Alice is coming back.”

“You mean moving back?” Logan asks. 

She nods decisively. Alice moved with her husband, Nate, to London because he was directing a famous British TV show there. Alice co-owns three restaurants with Blake and has been handling the marketing and strategic planning from a distance, flying in every two to three weeks.

“Are you sure?” Blake asks.

“She and Nate talked about it, and he wants to be back here too. He found a directing job he’s happy with here. They both want to be closer to the family. They’re planning to move back after New Year’s.”

Fantastic news. Finally, all the Bennetts will be in the same city again. Some were in and out over the years. I never had wanderlust. I traveled a lot, but never had the impulse to move anywhere else. I love this city and being close to my family.

We toast to Alice’s return, and afterward I take out my phone, intending to call her. A Facebook notification distracts me, from Caroline and Martin’s opening party tomorrow. Frowning, I open the app.

I read the top announcement on the event page.

Don’t forget, the opening party is tomorrow instead of next week! An all-day event! Coffee and cake will be on the house.

I check the details of the event. A lot of people canceled after the date was changed. Moving the event on such short-notice wasn’t the best business move, but Caroline tends to decide with her heart most of the time. It’s one of the things I’ve always loved about her, but that won’t pay the bills.

I glance up at my siblings, weighing the pros and the cons of spilling the beans on this. No way will I be able to pass this up as just a casual favor I’m doing for a friend. They know me well enough. Telling them will mean having everyone in my business. But a dozen Bennetts would make that coffee shop/bookstore appear fuller, which would attract customers more than an empty shop. First rule of business: fake it until you make it. 

“What are you all doing tomorrow?” I ask.

“Taking Ava and the kids out on the ocean in the morning. Logan and his troop are coming too,” Sebastian says.

Summer shrugs. “I’m going shopping.”

“Clara and I are doing a baby photo shoot in the morning. Why?” Blake asks. 

Here goes nothing. “Anyone up for an afternoon snack at a coffee shop that’s opening tomorrow? Well, technically it’s a bookstore—”

“Yes!” Summer claps her hands. “I—this is Martin’s bookstore, right?”

Sebastian holds up a hand. “Wait... Martin Dunne? Caroline’s dad?”

“Yes,” I clarify. 

“Are you and Caroline—” Logan begins, but Blake interrupts.

“Look at Summer. She looks like you just told her sales season is here early. All signs point to yes.”

“They renovated the bookstore, integrated a coffee shop, and are reopening tomorrow. It’d be nice if they had a full house, or at least some company,” I say.

Blake lifts a brow. “Nine years and now you finally make a move? What happened?”

“Yeah, Daniel. What happened?” Summer props her chin on her palms, grinning. “The shoe delivery escalated quickly, huh?”

“What?” Sebastian and Logan ask at the same time.

“Never mind. Can you drop by?”

Sebastian nods. “I’ll check with Ava, but I’m sure we can. As long as we can bring the kids.”

“You can. They have a kids’ corner with games and stuff.”

“We’ll drop by too,” Logan says. “And I’ll spread the word to the rest of the family.”

Blake chimes in next. “Baby naps in the afternoon, and Clara tries to nap at the same time, but I’ll be there.”

“Excellent, now that everyone answered your question...” Summer drums her fingers on her cheeks. “Details, please. No dirty ones, just the romantic stuff.”

I groan, glance around at my brothers. “Help!”

“Men don’t talk about this stuff, Summer,” Logan says patiently.

“I’m just saying, if I don’t get some facts, I’m going to construct my own scenarios. My mind is a dangerous place.” 

“Jesus, Summer, slow down!”

She bats her eyelashes at me, but I just shake my head, fully aware of how bad my track record is when it comes to giving in to Summer.

Logan smirks. “He doesn’t need questioning, Summer. He needs advice.”

“I don’t,” I say automatically, but resign myself to listening anyway. Just as Summer will always be the family baby, and we’re going to be protective of her, Logan will never step out of his older brother role either. He loves giving advice. I rarely admit it out loud, because I’d never hear the end of it, but it’s usually damn good advice.

“You’re the only unmarried brother here,” Blake points out with a grin. “If I were you, I’d be taking notes.”