Free Uncovering Camila (Wildflowers Book 3) by Vivian Winslow Page B

small paperback and resumes reading. His daughter and niece smile at him. This is why Shoshana makes it a point to visit her aunt and uncle in Brooklyn every week. Within the walls of the worn townhome is a peace she doesn’t feel at her own home with its expensive fixtures and silk drapes. She’ll take the overflowing bookshelves in her uncle’s office and library over the pristine spines of her father’s collection of classics. Not that she would choose Camila’s parents over hers though. She would, however, choose their devotion to simplicity and education over her parents’ own worship of material possessions.
    “Speaking of my parents,” Shoshana begins.
    “I didn’t realize we were,” Camila replies.
    Her cousin waves a hand. “They’re going to the beach this weekend. You guys want to come?”
    She directs the question more at her cousin than her uncle whom she knows will pass. The family has all but accepted that he will not set foot in the Hamptons.
    “I’ve got a ton of reading and work,” Camila replies, attempting to sound disappointed.
    “No you don’t. The bar’s closed.” Shoshana crosses her arms. “I checked myself.”
    “Law Review work I mean,” Camila says defensively. She should’ve known her cousin would do something like that. One of the only holidays Todd ever bothers to close for is Labor Day weekend. He prefers to keep his bars open during family holidays when most people need too drink.
    “Bring it with you. Four glorious days of gorgeous weather and beach at your feet. Trust me, it will do you a world of good.”
    Camila’s father reaches up and pats her hand that’s resting on his shoulder. “You can’t forget to have fun every once in a while, honey. You’re going to wish you had more opportunities like this when you’re working eighteen-hour days at that firm of yours. What’s it called?” He finally looks up from his book and brings his hand to his chin as he thinks. “S & M.”
    “S & M.” Shoshana giggles. “Apt name for a law firm I’d say.”
    Camila squeezes her father’s shoulder. “If you think I should.” Ironically, the only two people, aside her cousin, who could convince Camila of anything are her parents. Not because she’s malleable to them. Rather, she knows she can trust them to remind her when she’s failing to meet her own needs, which she tends to do when it comes to work and school.
    “Of course.” He removes his reading glasses and rubs his right eye with his knuckles. “I’m not going to be great company anyway. I have a lot of reading before classes begin next week.”
    Shoshana claps her hands. “That settles it. After dinner, we’ll go back to your place and pack. You’ll need a white dress for the party on Saturday. You have anything?”
    “I don’t think so.”
    “Never mind. I’ll find an outfit for you.”
    “You know, I hate sitting in hours of beach traffic.”
    “No need. We’re taking the company helicopter this time.”
    Her uncle lifts his head and scowls. “Pretty excessive don’t you think?”
    “Total excess. But I can’t tell your brother how to spend his money.”
    Camila’s father doesn’t blink at that last statement. He stopped seeing the Cohen family money as his own when he married his wife. He got the better end of the deal as far as he’s concerned.
    “When do we leave?” Camila asks, directing the conversation away from what will clearly put her father in a mood. His brother’s indulgent spending habits always do that.
    “Later, after dinner. I’m not missing out on seeing my aunt or that lechon from Puerto Viejo.”

 
    Chapter 17
     
    “When was the last time you were here?” Shoshana throws Camila’s overnight bag into the large walk-in closet in the guest room.
    “Summer after graduation I think,” she replies, looking around. It’s only been a few years, but a lot has changed since then. Life no longer looks or feels the same as it did then. The void of pure potential