FOURTY NINE

I hastily went down the stairs, as Vanessa had come to tell me in the room that Michael had been requesting it for me and that it was urgent. The frown on my face when I realized I had been tricked.

“Come here." Michael held my arm and pulled me closer into the circle of conversation going on between him, Seth, Bella, and somewhat Carmela; she was standing around there as well.

I froze as I was reminded of that day Seth had seen me like it was yesterday—it was yesterday.

“Mrs. That—” I thought I heard Seth almost say before Bella happily jumped in and greeted instead.

“Good morning,” I answered, still trying to keep my composure while trying to avoid Seth’s gaze, which I must say was pretty, very hard.

Michael went straight to the point, which caught me off-guard, as he said, “My wife and I were thinking of inviting the two of you to our island this