Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 96720 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96720 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
“But you’re not thrilled with the name,” Sophie added, somewhat dampening my sales pitch.
“Nothing about the club is set in stone yet,” I said. “Except for the fact that it’s going to happen, and it’s being built with an eye to sustainability. The rooftop garden, for example, will be an outdoor space, indoors, with one-way glass so members can experience that freedom of outdoor nudity and debauchery without being on display to anyone but other club members. But in the summer, that glass will be replaced by a dome of solar panels that will still offer privacy but generate power for the rest of the building.”
“That’s very clever,” El-Mudad said.
“Charlotte is full of good ideas,” Matt said with a smile of pride that warmed me from my toes.
“I’m excited about this,” Sophie declared, and something about the way her husbands looked at her, their expressions a combination of resignation and indulgence, told me they were on board.
“And when do you think this club will be open to members?” Neil asked.
That was another thing we hadn’t decided on. Business Charlotte gave a vague projection. “We’re hoping to soft launch by next summer.”
Neil’s eyebrows rose. “That’s quite quick.”
“Well, when you’re not dragging all your staff and materials out to a far-off island, things get done faster. We close on the official location next week.” I glanced to Matt and noted his look of pleasant surprise. I’d forgotten to mention that part.
“Well, I think it sounds brilliant,” Neil said, finally stamping his approval on the idea. “Perhaps we’ll have the privilege of being your inaugural members.”
I almost mentioned that he should wait to hear the price tag but caught my tongue in time. These people were from a “if you have to ask, you can’t afford it” kind of world. Instead, I said, “I think that can be arranged.”
“And I’m happy to come on board as a consultant,” Sophie reiterated. “As long as it doesn’t interfere with our friendship, of course.”
“I don’t have enough friends on the east coast to let that happen.” Wow, did that sound desperate and sad? Because I felt desperate and sad.
She covered her mouth with her napkin as she finished chewing a bite, speaking through it as she shook her head. “Don’t be silly. I’m going to introduce you to all of my cool friends and they’re going to love you.”
“Brace yourself,” El-Mudad teased her. “Once Sophie has adopted you into her circle, there is no escape.”
Looking around the table at their warm, friendly faces, I couldn’t see how I would ever want to escape, anyway.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
(Matthew)
After lunch, Sophie and Charlotte ran off to change for the pool. I hung back with Neil and El-Mudad to help clean up.
“I think we got the short end on this one,” I said, piling up plates.
“We do have some staff,” Neil said, a bit embarrassed judging by the set of his jaw. “Sophie prefers that we do the bulk of our daily living ourselves.”
“Charlotte is the same way.” Sort of. She was still fine with a chef, most of the week, and she certainly didn’t seem to yearn to mop the floors. “She said Sophie didn’t come from money, either.”
“Not at all. Grew up in a trailer in the middle of a forest.” Neil led us up some service stairs, to a sprawling, copper-ceilinged kitchen. An octagonal breakfast nook displayed the same stunning view of the Atlantic as the sitting room had.
It was a lot more peaceful than Manhattan.
“Charlotte came from a similar background, right?” El-Mudad asked. “I apologize if it’s gauche to ask, but Sophie has mentioned that Charlotte is ‘normal.” Which is the hurtful word she’s chosen to exclude us.”
“My love, I’m not certain you’d fit the definition of ‘normal’ even if you had grown up impoverished.” Neil nodded to the enormous island and told me, “Put those there. The housekeeper will deal with them.”
“Not similar,” I correct El-Mudad. “Charlotte’s parents are very solidly upper-middle. But it’s still a huge culture shock.”
“I’m sure,” Neil said. “I must admit that before I was with Sophie, I didn’t realize how privileged we are. I thought I knew, but I truly had no idea at all.”
“How long did it take her to adjust?” The words were no sooner out of my mouth before Neil and El-Mudad were sharing a look.
“Matt…” Neil began, adopting a patient, cautious tone. “It’s not up to her to adapt to your life. You have to adapt your lifestyle to be comfortable for her.”
El-Mudad continued for him. “She’s not the outlier in this situation. You are.”
I opened my mouth to argue. Neil spoke before I could, moving to the sink to wash his hands. He raised his voice over the sound of the running water. “She feels almost constantly guilty over the fact that people from her hometown struggle with things like food insecurity, lack of reliable housing, the cost of fuel, finding a place of employment. All problems that most people with our wealth either can’t fathom or aren’t even aware of.”