Seven
Rio didn’t get nervous. Not really. Not ever.
She doesn’t let herself.
And yet, standing next to Jen with her arm around her shoulders, she could feel something sharp and uncertain cutting through her usual confidence.
The whole thing had been unexpected. She had been perfectly fine in the corner, thank you.
It was entertaining watching the never-ending stream of photos play out in front of her. Everyone’s attentiveness towards the photographer dwindled more and more each time he clicked the shutter button.
She definitely didn’t watch the kid and Agatha standing at the side - her hands on his shoulders, hanging onto every word he said as they waited for their turn. Their closeness was charming. Almost as if -
But then Jen was turning towards Rio, and she heard the words, “I need one with my sister.”
And Jen had said it like it was the simplest thing in the world.
As if Evanora hadn’t specifically told Rio to stay out of the way unless she was called to help. Hell, Rio wasn’t even needed at the brunch, but Jen had put it on her schedule. And her contract said to follow the schedule.
So she walked forward. Because Jen had asked for her.
And then it was just the two of them in front of the camera, and Jen was leaning down, murmuring at best, “You gave the kid makeup didn’t you?”
And Rio had to bite back a laugh. Because she saw Jen stick up for the kid to Evanora. She didn’t think Jen would put the pieces together. She normally doesn’t.
And then the photographer was counting down.
Rio and Jen both turned towards the photographer and Rio felt herself smile.
Click.
Then it was over.
And Evanora was directing everyone back to their seats, and Jen was pulled to the side and Rio was at the back of the crowd.
So she waited until everyone had found their seats, definitely not keeping an eye on where someone specific was sitting.
And she definitely didn’t choose a table by herself specifically on the other side of the room from that specific person.
Just when she had settled back into her seat, she felt the table shift and someone sliding into the seat next to her.
Billy.
Rio turned towards him, watching as he scooted his chair closer, arms crossed over his chest. He was looking at her like he was trying to solve a puzzle, or she was the puzzle.
“So.” He said after a long moment.
Rio raised her eyebrow at him, saying nothing.
“What are you doing here?”
Rio blinked, “At brunch?”
“At the wedding,” he clarified. “I’ve never met you before, and yet my Aunt Jen is asking for a photo with you,” he drew out. “Her sister.”
Rio shook her head, “I’m the florist.”
“Jen’s sister.”
Well.
He’s not going to drop this. Rio was already way past her limits of feeling off today. She wasn’t going to be explaining her relationship to Agatha’s son.
Rio hasn’t even let herself address that - because she’s pretty sure Billy is a teenager. And if Rio counted the years she’s been gone from Westview - nope that hasn’t changed in the last 48 hours - that’s still only eight years.
Rio would’ve remembered if Agatha had been pregnant. Because they would’ve been kids.
Billy was still looking at her, looking for any kind of clue.
So no - Rio was not addressing the sister comment, the Aunt Jen comment, or the fact that Billy is probably Agatha’s son, somehow. Not that it’s Rio’s business.
“You go to Westview High, right?” she asked. That seemed to do it, as it looked like Billy was thrown off by the sudden shift in topic.
“.. Yeah?”
“Mrs. Hart still teaching English?”
That got a groan out of him, Rio smirked.
“It’s Mrs. Davis now.”
Rio gave herself a pat on the back, because everyone dreaded her class. She was the nicest lady until she was grading your assignments. But Rio always could get through to her, because one day she found out Mrs. Hart loved to garden.
So maybe Rio used her plant knowledge during high school to get on the teacher’s good side. At least that time, she wasn’t using it as a line to get into a girl’s pants.
“You know, she doesn’t tell anyone this, but she’s a big gardener. Want some plant facts to get her off your back?”
Billy was grinning, leaning in, “You’d really do that?”
And Rio was nodding along. Because plant facts - she could do plant facts right now.
And then there was a banging sound over the speakers in the dining hall, and as Rio looked up, Evanora was standing at a podium at the front of the dining hall, tapping her finger on the microphone in front of her.
Then Evanora was speaking, and Rio had mostly pushed that out of her mind.
Mostly.
She told herself not to listen to Evanora. She really did.
Because whatever was going to come out of her mouth was going to probably sting at Rio a little bit.
And she was right.
“I’ve never been prouder of my daughter,” she said, and the words were light, effortless. “She has grown into such a smart, talented woman, and I couldn’t ask for a better person to take on the family’s legacy.”
Rio stared back down at the tablecloth.
Evanora was still speaking.
But she couldn’t hear her anymore, not if she tried.
It wasn’t like she hadn’t heard it all before. She had. In different forms, different ways over the years.
It just is different to hear it in public, in front of other people.
Because her dad died. And she was left with Evanora.
Evanora never let her forget that.
So Rio knew this.
Rio knew Jen was taking on Evanora’s business at some point.
Because it was her family’s legacy - and Rio, well, Rio was left with Evanora. Because her dad married Evanora, and then died.
But dammit - it’s hard to hear in public. With other people clapping along.
It was so stupid to even let it get to her, after all these years. Maybe she should’ve been over it by now. Maybe she was over it. Maybe the bottomless mimosas were getting to her.
But she wasn’t sticking around to hear the rest of it.
And so Rio stood up, and walked out of the room. She felt eyes on her as she left, but she didn’t bother to look back. She’s sure half the dining room watched her walk out the door.
She couldn’t breathe.
Her feet carried her forward, past the venue, past the parked cars, until she reached her van. Keys in hand.
Then she realized she definitely cannot drive right now - not like this. Mimosas or not, her vision was tunneled and oh, her hands were shaking. She could hear the keys jangling somewhere down on her near her left side.
Taking a look at her surroundings, she could go left towards the edge of town, or take a right and head towards main street.
Her feet directed her automatically.
Rio was trying to count her steps and center herself, she felt her lips in an ‘o’ shape as she was exhaling.
Damn, was she breathing that loud?
Suddenly she was in front of shops on the main road, and they were all unfamiliar. A coffee shop that wasn’t there when she was in high school. And a record store? Was Westview even big enough to support a record store?
Finally - she was standing in front of Calderu’s Books.
She hadn’t been here in - well Rio’s covered this already - eight years. But the sight of it still felt the same - warm, welcoming, like it had been waiting for her.
She stepped inside, hearing the bell above the door jingle as it always did, and the scent of paper and coffee wrapped around her. Rio still hadn’t thought about where she was going as she turned and walked towards the corner - her corner - where, thank God, her chair was still there.
It’s not really her chair - but Lilia used to let her read in it, undisturbed until Evanora’s curfew.
She ran her fingers along the back of it, feeling the fray of the fabric. A well loved chair. Cherished.
The sound of someone walking up behind her pulled Rio out of her thoughts, “Well, well. If it isn’t Rio Vidal.”
And Rio turned and looked at Lilia, and she felt her mouth lifting into a second genuine smile today.
“You’re still here.”
Lilia laughed. “And you’re back. Come on, I have some coffee over at the counter.”
Lilia was already turning around, knowing Rio would follow her. And she did.
Lilia went behind the counter while Rio sat at a bar stool next to the register. She thinks it's the first time she’s sat in one of these bar stools even though she’s visited the store hundreds of times.
Then Lilia was asking Rio what she did now, and Rio told her about her shop. Then she was asking her about how it was living in New York, and Rio was answering. She never once asked her what she was doing in Westview - but she must’ve known - everyone knew everything about everyone in Westview. Finally, Lilia ran out of questions, but Rio didn’t want the conversation to be over, so Rio asked about the bookstore.
Lilia’s lips quirked, “I don’t run the place anymore, so I wouldn’t know.”
Rio frowned slightly, “What do you mean?”
Because it sure looked like Lilia ran the place.
None of the decorations had changed, Rio’s chair was still in the corner, the sign still said Calderu’s Books, hell Lilia was behind the counter.
And Lilia just laughed. All-knowing like.
Rio didn’t like that.
But the bell at the front of the shop rang, and Lilia was smiling at the customers that just walked in and -
Of course.
Rio should’ve known. Because for an hour, she hadn’t thought about Agatha. And the universe must have thought that was too long.
Because Agatha was standing at the front of the door with Billy at her side, and she was pulling off her sunglasses and throwing her purse on the counter, walking in like she owned the place. She hadn’t noticed Rio, yet.
“Thank you for watching the counter. I know you’re doing it more later this week for the wedding, but I can’t thank -” Agatha looked towards the counter then.
With Rio sitting across from Lilia.
Rio didn’t have to look to see Lilia grinning. She could feel it from where she sat.
And Billy - Billy was grinning ear to ear. “Rio!”
But Lilia was already grabbing at Billy’s shoulder, “Hey kid, I’m glad you’re here. I need you to help me bring in a few boxes from the delivery this morning.”
And then it was just Rio and Agatha. Wait what? How did this happen so fast?
Rio was still in her bar stool, staring at Agatha, who was staring right back.
And if it was any other day, literally any other day, Rio would love this. She’d take her time with it, stretch it out, play whatever game to keep Agatha’s attention.
But she really did not have it in her right now. Not after Jen pulled her into a photo because she needed one with her sister. Not after Evanora’s speech about the family legacy. Not after finding out Lilia doesn’t run her bookstore anymore.
But Rio was also pretty quick - and Agatha was stepping behind the counter.
So Lilia gave the bookstore to Agatha. Or sold it to her. Or something. Because Lilia said she didn’t run it anymore and there she was standing behind the counter.
Agatha.
Then she was talking to Rio, “You know, I had this whole plan to not engage with you today. Or for the rest of the wedding.”
That was definitely not what Rio was expecting to hear.
“Yet, here you are. Again. I can’t seem to escape you,” Agatha finished.
“Here I am.” Rio replied, looking into Agatha’s eyes finally.
Agatha’s eyebrows furrowed, like she was concerned or - something. Rio’s not sure.
Does Rio look that pitiful right now? This is why she came to the bookstore - to hide in her corner - to be away from other gazes, other people.
Then there was silence again, both not breaking eye contact.
She didn’t mean to - but Rio broke first this time. Looking at the menu just behind Agatha’s head.
Then Agatha was turning around, and grabbed a mug off the shelf, helping herself to some of the coffee behind the counter. And then she was turning back towards Rio again, taking a slow slip from her now full mug.
“So.”
Rio arched an eyebrow, “So?”
“Have you met Ralph yet?” Agatha chose to ask.
And Rio really didn’t expect that either. It’s like she couldn’t figure out Agatha’s next move, no matter how hard she tried. Because why did she ask that?
“Haven’t had the pleasure,” she heard herself respond.
“Oh, pleasure is not the right word if you actually knew him.” Agatha responded.
And maybe Rio was wrong - maybe she did have it in her. Or maybe it was just because her and Agatha were alone again. Rio’s not sure.
“If I recall, last night you said the same nice things about him.”
Agatha’s eyes snapped to hers quickly, “Let’s not talk about last night.”
Rio dramatically looked around the room, “Seems like now is as good as any.”
“I didn’t -” Agatha stopped herself. She started again, “I thought -” she stopped. Again.
Yeah - Rio definitely did have it in her still, despite the emotional rollercoaster this morning.
“You thought that I was someone else?”
Agatha took a harsh sip out of her mug, “And you knew exactly who I was.”
Her words were sharp - like Agatha was holding onto them since last night. And she was looking into Rio’s eyes so unwavering, Rio had to look away - again.
Twice. In like two minutes.
“I did.” Rio said.
Then she was looking at Agatha again, “So you just let me, what? Make a fool of myself?”
Rio frowned, “Fool?” she said, not believing Agatha just said that. “You didn’t make a fool of yourself.” Rio’s head was shaking back and forth in disbelief.
Is that really how Agatha felt about their… conversation last night?
Agatha was nodding her head, and she looked like she was about to respond. So Rio beat her to it.
“Would you really have kept talking to me if you knew who I was?”
Checkmate.
Because Agatha’s lips were pressed in a line.
“It’s okay, Agatha. I know you wouldn’t have continued if you knew.”
“You’re twisting it around.”
Rio was leaning forward now, “Am I, though?”
Agatha didn’t respond. She finished her cup of coffee, though, and turned towards the sink behind the counter. She started washing the cup, so Rio continued.
“That’s why I never told you.”
Agatha turned back around, the coffee mug being dried off with a towel now in her hands. She kept their eye contact as she finished drying it off, not even glancing towards her hands as she put the mug back on the shelf.
“I know I said it before, but thank you for what you did for Billy earlier today.”
Rio should’ve known she’d changed the subject. But Agatha keeps surprising her. Ever since she showed up in Westview, Agatha makes moves Rio cannot predict no matter how hard she tries.
“How mad was Evanora?” she heard herself asking Agatha.
“Honestly? I don’t know. I try my best to avoid her at any event. But if I had to guess on a scale of one to ten? Sixteen.” Agatha said with a straight face.
Rio laughed. She sure loved when Evanora’s world burned in front of her.
And Rio could see it - Agatha’s lips twitching like she was fighting a smile.
The bell over the door rang again, and Billy was walking in, out of breath. Lilia followed behind him, brushing dust off her sleeves.
“I really do love having a big, strong grandson,” Lilia said as she ruffled Billy’s hair. Billy squirmed under her touch but smiled nonetheless. And Agatha was looking at them both with an effortless smile.
But for Rio? The dots were finally connecting. Because Billy was for sure Agatha’s. And that meant Agatha was Lilia’s.
How Rio grew up in this bookstore and never realized Agatha was Lilia’s daughter was beyond her. But then again - Lilia never really talked to Rio when she was in the store growing up. She just let her be. And it’s not like Rio or Agatha talked before, well, now.
Rio felt herself standing up out of her barstool, and was reaching into her wallet to buy the coffee.
Agatha was shaking her head, “Don’t worry about it.”
Then she was grabbing the cup from the counter, washing it the same way she just washed hers.
“Are you going to the spa thing tomorrow?”
Rio blinked, “The what?”
Agatha turned and gave her a look, “The wedding party spa trip. In Eastview. The one Jen wants us all at?”
And Rio was back in reality. In Westview. Talking to her stepsister’s best friend.
“I know better than to miss it,” she responded, slipping both hands into her pants pockets.
Agatha nodded, “Okay.” That’s all Rio got from her.
But then Lilia was stepping in front of Rio, rubbing up and down Rio’s arms, as if she’s always done that to Rio, “You should stop by more often.”
Rio really did not have a response to that, so she offered her trademark smirk, turned towards Billy and nodded at him and then was walking towards the door.
She didn’t need to turn around to know Agatha was watching her leave.
She could feel it.