It may not be Hallie’s idea of wedded bliss, but Grace figured there were worse ways to build a marriage. After all, her parents’ union had seemed rock solid, but still crumbled when her father decided he wanted a faster, glossier life, with overpriced sushi restaurants instead of her mom’s one-pot roasts; opera and gala balls instead of nights in, playing Monopoly. Amber and Auggie at least seemed to value the same things in life, even if those things were salacious gossip and expensive spa treatments.
“Darlings.” Their mom wafted down the path from her studio annex, draped in a long skirt and blousy orange tunic. She’d taken up yoga now, at a studio Amber swore Oprah used, and left books about Transcendental Meditation and the power of The Secret littered around the guesthouse. Grace hoped this wasn’t simply a stop on the one-way train to Scientology. Valerie kissed Grace and Hallie on the forehead, and offered Dakota a hug. “Look at you, up and over here so early.”
Dakota caught Hallie’s eye across the table, and the two of them shared the tiniest of smiles. Grace froze, bacon halfway to her mouth.
Had Dakota spent the night?
Their mom took a seat, oblivious. “Isn’t this nice? All of us together?”
They began to eat, but despite the lure of bacon, Grace was distracted, sneaking looks at Hallie. Was that a womanly glow, or just a new brand of bronzer? And were the looks between her and Dakota their usual swooning affection, or something more loaded with meaning? A morning-after kind of meaning.
“When did you get in last night?” Grace asked Hallie casually.
She shrugged. “Late.”
“How late? I didn’t hear you come in.”
Hallie gave her a look. “Then you must have drifted off early.”
“Mrs. Weston,” Dakota interrupted, turning to their mom.
She tutted. “Valerie, please!”
“Valerie.” Dakota fixed her with a charming smile. “I was wondering if it would be OK to go away with Hallie for a few days. We’re planning a road trip, maybe over to Vegas and up to San Francisco.”
Grace choked on her juice. “Vegas?”
Hallie ignored her, turning to their mom with a wheedling tone. “Please, Mom? I can visit everyone back home, maybe even video the whole trip like a documentary short!”
“But how will you afford it?” Grace asked. She knew walking the dogs kept Hallie in coffees and acting classes, but a road trip?”
“Don’t worry, Dakota’s got it all figured out.”
He nodded. “We’ll stay in cheap motels, and crash with friends. A guy I know works entertainment for a hotel in Vegas. He can hook us up with cheap rooms.”
There it was again. Vegas. City of casinos, tacky stage shows — and drive-through weddings. Grace felt an ominous shiver. Sure, Hallie was a fan of big romantic gestures, but she wouldn’t go that far, would she?
“I’m not sure.” Their mom frowned absently. “A big trip like that, it could be dangerous. What if you broke down, or got in an accident?”
“I’ll look after her, I promise.” Dakota gave Hallie an adoring smile.
“Still, I don’t know. . . .”
“Will you at least think about it?” Hallie pleaded. “We were hoping maybe in November. There’s tons of time.”
Valerie sighed, then gave a small nod. “I’ll think about it.”
Hallie leaped up, squealing. “Thanks, Mom!” She flew around the table and hugged their mother tightly.
“But no promises!” Valerie added as if anyone at the table didn’t already know she’d agree. Chances were, she’d get so wrapped up in her painting and positive visualizations that she wouldn’t even remember the question, let alone notice when Hallie was gone.
Grace finished her breakfast in silence, but the minute Hallie went inside to fetch her beach things, Grace trailed her up the stairs.
“Vegas?” she asked, loitering in the doorway of Hallie’s bedroom. “You’re not going to do anything stupid, are you?”
“Like what?” Hallie smoothed her hair in front of the mirror, and slicked on some lip gloss.
“I don’t know . . .” Grace paused. “Elope?”
Hallie spun around. “What?”
Grace blushed. “I know, it sounds crazy, but crazy is kind of your thing! I’m serious!” she protested as Hallie burst out laughing. “I’ve seen the way you look at Dakota, and now that he’s spending the night . . .”
“Shh!” Hallie hissed, quickly moving to close the door. “What do you know about that?”
“Only that Dakota sleeps until ten, and lives forty minutes away.” Grace fixed Hallie with a meaningful stare. “I can do the math.”
Hallie exhaled. “It’s none of your business.”
“I know! I just don’t want to see you get hurt,” Grace said. “Not after everything this year. . . .”
“This is different!” Hallie said fiercely. “Dakota’s not like Dad. He would never do anything to hurt me.” She took a deep breath. “I know you can’t understand,” Hallie told Grace, moving to the closet. “You’ve never been in love before, you can’t know what it’s like. But trust me, I know what I’m doing.”
Grace wasn’t convinced. Love wasn’t any reason to lose your mind. “I like Dakota, you know I do.” She tried being reasonable. “But, you’ve only known him a few months. Don’t you think you should slow down?”
“For what?” Hallie threw her arms out expressively. “You keep saying that: ‘be careful,’ ‘slow down,’ ” she mimicked. “But why? I love him! What’s the point in pretending, and holding back, when I know we’re meant to be together? Always!”
Grace gulped. “But you just said —”
“I know what I said.” Hallie shrugged carelessly. “And you can relax, OK? We haven’t planned anything. But . . . it’s going to happen, sooner or later.” She sighed, starry-eyed. “This is for real. Forever.”
Hallie scooped up her bag. “We’re heading to the beach, and then meeting everyone at Ana Lucia’s. Don’t wait up!” She winked, then flew out of the room and down the stairs.
Grace watched from the window as Hallie raced over to where Dakota was waiting on the front lawn. She threw her arms around his neck, and he spun them in a circle before depositing her gently back on the ground. They kissed, long and passionate, before piling in his car and driving away, music blasting.