Chapter 4 - The Ashford sisters
Margot was the oldest.
Business school.
Foundation board.
Married once.
Divorced quietly.
She believed every problem had a structure if intelligent people stayed calm enough.
Vivian was next.
Unmarried.
Executive director of the Ashford Foundation.
She managed family property, events, philanthropy, and half the emotional weather of the household.
Celeste was younger.
Museum curator.
The least involved in the family business.
She lived in Boston and escaped whenever possible.
Then Luke.
The beloved brother.
My first dinner with all four lasted fifty-six minutes before Vivian asked:
“What are your long-term plans?”
I smiled.
“With the chicken?”
“With your career.”
Luke said:
“Viv.”
“What?”
“She just sat down.”
Vivian smiled at me.
Friendly enough to be dangerous.
“I’m curious.”
I said:
“I’m finishing a hospitality-management degree part time.”
“And then?”
“Manage events.”
“Your own company?”
“Maybe.”
Margot said:
“That’s sensible.”
Celeste asked where I went to school.
Normal question.
Luke squeezed my knee beneath the table.
After dinner, Vivian found me near the coatroom.
“You should know something about Luke.”
“What?”
“He likes rescuing people.”
I stared.
“From what?”
She glanced toward my catering-company coat.
I understood.
I should have slapped her.
I didn’t.
I said:
“I pay my own rent.”
“That isn’t what I meant.”
“It’s exactly what you meant.”
Vivian smiled.
“No. But it’s useful to know what you heard.”
May you like
That was Vivian.
She could insult you and turn your reaction into the interesting part.
