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“You should go. If you aren’t sleeping with the boss. I’ll be fine.” She shrugged.
“I am going, and they have kindly paid for a nurse to stay here while I’m gone.” Leilani announced and prepared for the resistance.
“What on earth for? I can take care of myself.”
Blah, blah, blah...
She tuned out and listened to all her mom’s drunken words, with the arms crossed.
“So, she will be here on Friday afternoon. Play nice. If you don’t want to talk to her, don’t. She is here for me, and my peace of mind, not you,” Leilani said.
That wasn’t true, but the extra padding she’d put around her heart was doing its job.
She had to take care of herself, as the doctor had said. One day, her mom would be gone, and Leilani refused to run herself into the ground, fighting a battle that couldn’t be won.
So she packed and was ready to fly to the Hamptons with the Dufort’s, but she was pretty sure Jacob was the only one who knew.
Before Bella could ask about her weekend plans, she abruptly changed the trajectory of the conversation.
“Your coat is amazing. Dare I ask where it is from?” Leilani asked.
Bella preened. “It’s a Verity & Co Private Line. My father’s fashion brand.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that was your family business,” she lied.
She did.
She also knew she couldn’t afford to shop there. Now or in fifty years.
“Do your brothers work there?” she asked, keeping the conversation going.
Bella nodded, but her brows dipped as if picking up on her bullshit. Although she did love the coat, even if it was a little warm this time of year for it.
“Yes, Knox leads the marketing department. Are you okay? You look a little peaked.”
“Hey, baby.” Blake appeared and leaned down to kiss the top of Bella’s head. “Time to wrap up, Lani.”
She nodded and turned away.
Please don’t say it. Please don’t say it.
“Are you doing anything fun this Easter?” Blake asked.
Shit!
“Depends on if you’re a douche canoe all weekend. Isn’t that right, princess?” Jacob said in the doorway.
Blake and Bella turned.
“Um,” she said, biting her cheek.
Almost comically, Blake and Bella turned back and stared at her.
“Where’s your bag?” Jacob asked, walking around her desk as if it was no big deal.
“Under there.” She pointed, and he laid his hand on her hip as he reached down and picked it up.
“Well then, wheels up in thirty. Are you coming?” Jacob asked his brother and sister-in-law who were still standing there like deer in the headlights.
