LISA

James and Maddie are lovely and just like Ella, they've already stolen Lily's heart. Now that we've met up a couple of times, we're comfortable around each other and James is having fun teasing Ella as we wait for her strictly non-boyfriend-just hanging-out-friend to arrive. Maddie is in the pool with Lily, while James, Ella, Jennie and I are sitting around the coffee table in the lounge area on the terrace. Jennie is snuggled up against me with her feet propped up on the rattan couch, James is perched on the coffee table and Ella has made herself comfortable sideways in one of the big rattan chairs, her legs dangling over the armrest. We're drinking sangria in the shade of the linen canopy that covers the seating area, and a delicious smell is coming from the kitchen where a traditional Lebanese rice dish is crisping up in the oven. Jennie doesn't cook very often but when she does, she cooks up a feast, and I've been impressed by the selection of salads and dips I helped her prepare earlier.

"I've never seen you this nervous before, sis. Are you dating Snoop Dogg or something?"

"No, gross, he's old. Stop making such a big deal out of it," she says, slapping James on his arm after another comment about her nervous state. "He's just coming here to chill around the pool with me, that's all."

"And for romantic walks on the beach," James shoots back, only adding to Ella's anxiety. "And to meet his awesome brother-in-law, and for lots of se—"

"Stop making fun of your sister, James," Jennie cuts him off, shooting her son a warning look.

Ella is about to give him a mouthful but her phone pings, and she turns a deeper shade of crimson as she gets up and heads for the kitchen to buzz open the gates. "If you say anything to embarrass me, I will kill you," she hisses at James over her shoulder.

Last week, I was the outsider, anxious to meet Jennie's nearest and dearest but now that someone new is arriving, we shoot each other knowing looks and I feel like I'm part of the family. We give Tyrell a welcoming smile when he follows Ella out onto the terrace and despite his unconventional looks, he's sweet and polite as he greets Jennie.

"It's nice to meet you, Miss Kim." He hands Jennie a bottle of Barolo and I can see his hand trembling ever so slightly. "Ella told me you like this one. I hope I got it right." I vaguely recognize him, mainly due to the neon-colored elastic bands that hold his afro hair in a dozen or so knots, and the snake tattoo that coils around his neck.

"Fuck me, you're Bear Cub," James says incredulously, then turns crimson himself. His cheeky demeanor is gone, replaced by a sense of admiration and if I'm not mistaken, he even looks a bit intimidated.

"Yup. That's me." Tyrell shakes James hand. "Nice to meet you, bro."

"That's Maddie there in the pool," Ella says, and Maddie waves at him and yells that she'll be out in a minute. "And that's Lily, Lisa's daughter. And this is Lisa, Mom's…" She hesitates. "Girlfriend? Can I say that?"

I laugh as I get up to greet him. "You can say that."

"Cool." Tyrell looks at me, then at Jennie. "You didn't tell me your mom had a girlfriend."

"Yeah well…" Ella shrugs and smiles at me. "It's a fairly recent development." She looks adorable in her shy state, but she grabs the jug of sangria and pours him a glass. "Here. Do you want me to show you around?"

"Yeah, this is an amazing place you've got here," he says to Jennie. "I've never been to the Hamptons, it's so quiet and beautiful and it smells so good."

"That's partly mom's cooking." Ella pushes the glass into his hand and grabs her own. "Come on, I'll show you the beach."

We watch them disappear through the gates but not before we've caught a glimpse of Tyrell putting an arm around her waist.

"I can't believe it," James says, staring after them. "My little sister is dating a famous rapper."

"Is he really that famous?" Jennie asks.

"Hello, ehm yes." James looks at her incredulously. "Don't you recognize him?"

"Only from the YouTube videos I watched. I did figure he was popular, but I didn't know he was such a big deal. Anyway, he seems sweet and this bottle he brought is very good," she says, studying the label. "How thoughtful."

"Maybe I should grab a bottle of champagne from the fridge." James gets up and it's clear that he now is the one out of sorts, worrying about what Tyrell will think of us.

"Yes, why don't you bring two? It's your and Maddie's last day here and as you've made it more than clear, we have a special guest." Jennie shoots him an amused grin. "And check on the rice while you're in there, will you?"