Summer of New Love: Skyline Mansion Companion Stories

By Nola Li Barr

Newly graduated from high school with her whole world in front of her, Isabella has everything she could ever ask for until she meets Sebastian.

A boy whose life is falling apart before his eyes.

A boy who is not in high society and, therefore, her mother would never approve.

A boy who seems to put her at ease like no one else has ever done.

The Skyline Mansion series introduced Isabella and Sebastian in their late twenties after they had drifted apart, but once upon a time, they were perfect for each other.

Summer of New Love is a novella companion of the Skyline Mansion family saga. It ventures a look into how a girl who has everything and a boy who has lost everything can find common ground in love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nola Li Barr
• Release date: Oct 24, 2021
• ISBN: 9781732781498

Book preview

Isabella

Isabella! Come down right now! Mother called. If I have to ask you one more time, I will take away your ruby necklace.

You can’t! Grandma gave me that. 

I will! 

She would never! The necklace was a special high school graduation gift from Grandma Geraldine. It had been in the family for eons. I didn’t get much of a backstory aside from being told that I should keep it safe and that it was specifically for me. Rumor was the ruby was a gift from a queen, who had fallen in love with a great-great-great-great—who knows how many—grandfather. In any case, it was now mine, and Mother was super jealous because the necklace skipped her and came directly to me.

I loved that the necklace skipped Mother. I was never good enough for her and, compared to everyone and everything else, I always felt second best in her eyes. When I was younger, I craved her attention, so I did everything she said without question. It wasn’t until middle school that I realized it didn’t matter what I did for her, she would never care about me and my actions if they were of no benefit to her.

Nowadays, I just take what she offers and go with it. I get the best clothes, the best jewelry, my own servant, a silver Porsche, the list goes on . . . and the only thing I have to do to keep getting this stuff is keep Mother happy. 

With this in mind, I capitulate, Fine! You win, but I’m not going to enjoy this.

No one said you had to enjoy it, she returned sharply. 

I hated being all prim and proper for Mommy’s friends. I felt like a doll being paraded around. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the way I looked. My skin was like porcelain, smooth and shiny, and I had every curvature coveted by womankind. The looks I’d get from boys and girls while walking down the street was the best feeling in the world. I was perfect, and I had Daddy wrapped around my finger for good measure, especially his wallet. More so than Mommy. She didn’t like to admit it, but I was Daddy’s favorite.

However, I would like to be appreciated for my brains sometimes. You would think my own parents would know of my intelligence, but they didn’t seem to care. Nani, the housekeeper, was the only one who appreciated me for more than my looks. I think she felt sorry for me, but she would never admit that, even if I asked her directly. Oh well, maybe good looks really was all that mattered. 

Isabella, come down! Mother called again, this time with more than a tinge of annoyance in her tone.

I sighed but forced out a congenial, I’m coming!

I trudged downstairs, only to become immediately tossed into the fray of various perfumes and social glamor.

Grandma had outdone herself again. Mother and Father had insisted we show up two days before the party. Not the night before or the day of like most people, but two days before, so we were all fresh and perky for the day of the event. I really didn’t care because I got to skip school as well as spend more time in Grandma’s home.

I loved Grandma Geraldine’s house. If I had a choice, I would live here instead of at home. Grandma has servants for everything. One helps to dress her, another gets her food ready, and others keep her house shiny. I never see a speck of dust, and they themselves were rarely seen too. So much so that when I was younger, I thought the house was run on magic. Every need I could think of was taken care of—it was like having my very own fairy palace. All I had to do was ask for something and it would appear.

However, the best part about coming to Grandma Geraldine’s house was that my parents left me alone. I could sit on the freshly-mowed grass wearing a white lace dress while eating cherries with no one the wiser. I was my grandmother’s favorite—hence the ruby necklace I was wearing in plain sight tonight.

Aside from my mother and father, no one knew I had it yet. My cousins were going to be so jealous! We had all coveted it while growing up, and I couldn’t believe I was the one who finally got it. They were going to be so mad—I couldn’t wait. 

I had barely gone a few steps into the room before a familiar voice cried, Isabella!

I knew her voice anywhere. Grandma! I exclaimed, giving her a huge smile when our eyes met.

You look more beautiful every time I see you, Grandma said.

I giggled. You just saw me yesterday.

Grandma placed one hand on the side of my cheek. And you glow even brighter than the day before. The ruby necklace suits you.

I picked out this dress specifically to make the necklace stand out. Do you like it?

You look absolutely radiant.

I frowned and blurted out, Mother tried to take the necklace away.

A glint came to grandmother’s eye. Your mother sometimes doesn’t know what’s good for her. You hang on to that necklace.

I will, I whispered, enjoying our little secret.

Good. Now, come along. I have some people I want you to meet.

Okay, Grandma. I would follow her anywhere.

Sebastian

I was reading Sherlock Holmes and had been toying with the idea of becoming a detective. The thought of a pretty girl on my arm, solving crimes, and impressing the world was attractive. I could hear the cheering even now, the fame and elegance of it all. 

The dream was within reach, too, because I would be leaving home for college in a few months. At that thought, my eyes flicked to the corner of the living room again. Sure enough, there was still some confetti there, lingering from the party Mom had thrown for me. I couldn’t complain, though, as she was still smiling from ear to ear.

It was so good to see her smiling again. Over the last month, she had been complaining about an ongoing migraine. We’d finally persuaded her to go to the doctor—I’d had to threaten that there would be no party until she did so. That had done the trick because she really wanted to celebrate my achievements. So, she’d gone and had some tests done, and the festivities had gone ahead.

Dad’s voice suddenly cut through my musing. Son, are you at a good stopping point?

Huh . . . ?

Are you at a good stopping point? Dad repeated.

I blinked and looked at Dad, then Mom, who was sitting in her chair, embroidery needle held aloft as she, too, looked at me expectantly, waiting on my response. Hey Mom, Dad—is there something wrong?

No, no, there’s nothing wrong, Mom said, laughing.

No, son, nothing of the sort, Dad added at the same time. Your mom and I have been talking that’s all.

Uh oh, where was this going?

We thought you might like to work at the law firm with your dad this summer, Mom continued. You and him can have some time together before you head off to college. You’re a bright boy, and it’s time you saw some real-life work instead of what you read in those books.

They’re novels, Mom. And you mean go with Dad to work at Schuster and Schuster? Law isn’t exactly what I was thinking of going into, you know.

Dad piped in with, Those novels make your brain mush! I know you have this dream of being a detective, son, but learning law couldn’t hurt. You wouldn’t work with me personally, but you could help out elsewhere in the firm.

I could see Dad had said his piece and was now starting to retreat, trying to pull Mom back with him. He and I