He must have noticed her hesitation. He put the bags down by their feet and ran his hands up and down her arms. “It will be okay.”
She wished he had his confidence. She drew in a deep breath and nodded. “Let’s go.”
If Chloe thought the outside of the Campbell house was amazing, the inside was gorgeous—pure luxury overload. Her boots clicked over pale-gray marble floors. The walls—painted in a crisp white—were decorated with subtle statement pieces from artists whose works she’d only seen in museums, a Gorman here, a Frankenthaler there. They moved past a living area with plush, oversized furniture in subtle blues and light timber, a painting by Winslow Homer hung over the fireplace. A wall of glass filled the room with natural light and displayed a beautiful view of the ocean.
“Mum, Dad?” Theo called.
After a moment, Theo’s mother scuttled from a room; his father followed close behind. Felicity beamed at them both with a huge smile. “Oh, Chloe, look at you. You’re so grown up and just as beautiful, if not more, than I remember.” She pulled her into a hug that almost squeezed the oxygen from her lungs. Theo’s mother pulled back and cupped Chloe’s face. “I’m so happy you could join us.” Chloe hadn’t had much choice, but she didn’t bring that up.
“It’s lovely to see you too. You haven’t changed a bit.” A few extra laugh lines crinkling at the edges of her sparkling hazel eyes were the only difference. Her hair sat in a neat light-brown bob below her ears.
“Hey, Mum.” Theo leaned down and kissed her cheek while his father, Michael, gave Chloe a hug in greeting.
“Let me take your bags to your room,” Felicity said.
Alarm bells went off in Theo’s head. “We need two rooms, Mum.”
Felicity’s eyebrow rose. “I thought you’d be staying together.”
“No. We’re just friends. Blake doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” Damn Blake for making them go through this.
“Oh.” Her face dropped. “Okay, I’ll set up another room.”
“I can help you with that,” Chloe offered.
Felicity waved her hand. “Nonsense, you’re a guest. Blake’s out back, and I invited Rachel, her kids, and her brother, Jordan. Rachel’s husband is away for a few days, so I thought it’d be nice to have them come around too.” She paused, a thoughtful expression on her face. “Why don’t you go join them out in the backyard? Michael will help me with your room.”
Chloe must have looked confused because Theo said, “Rachel is my parents’ neighbor.”
When they made their way outside, once again Chloe was struck by the beauty of the property. The grass looked spray-painted bright green and hand cut with scissors. The gardens bloomed with colorful flowers and an Olympic-sized pool with white lounge chairs surrounded the crystal-blue water. Theo leaned down and whispered in her ear, “They’re not as comfortable as mine.” He pulled away with a smirk.
Chloe’s face grew warm. “Stop it,” she whispered back. “I can’t be at your family’s home and be thinking of what we got up to. We’re supposed to be acting like friends!” The night they’d made love by the pool filled her mind.
“Sorry, it won’t happen again.” He pulled a serious face.
Chloe rolled her eyes. “Come on. Let’s get this weekend over with.”
They walked around the pool to a covered outdoor area. The backdrop was a picturesque ocean landscape. The scent of salt drifted in the breeze. Blake, and she assumed the neighbors, sat on plush lounges with drinks in hand.
Theo waved and made the introductions.
Chloe noticed two small boys with black curls playing soccer on the grass. “They’re mine,” Rachel informed her.
“They’re gorgeous,” Chloe said, watching them wistfully.
“Thank you.” Rachel smiled at them with pride.
“Can I get you a drink, Chloe?” The breeze blew a strand of hair onto Chloe’s face, and Theo brushed it away. His hand cupped her face a little longer than allowed if they were “just friends.” Like he realized he shouldn’t be touching her, he snatched his hand away.
Chloe cleared her throat and stepped back. “Yes, please.”
Once they had their drinks, they spent the next few minutes chatting with Blake and the neighbors until Felicity and Michael arrived carrying trays of meat and vegetables for the barbecue.
“You boys are in charge of the cooking.” Felicity handed over aprons and utensils.
“Yes, ma’am,” they said in unison.
“I’ll go get the salads,” Felicity said.