He’d left his hair down, the beautiful blond waves framing his achingly-handsome face. Unable to stop herself, she dropped her gaze. A brown quarter-zip sweater hugged his muscular chest while his dark pants clung to his thick thighs. His confidence, paired with his wicked-hot gaze had her squirming in her seat.
More than that, the desire to go to him, wrap her arms around him, and kiss him hello, had her fighting hard to stay put.
“Complimentary appetizers,” he said. “Pan-seared scallops and lobster risotto.”
“Girls, aren’t you going to introduce me?”
“This is Joaquin,” Addison said.
Liliana’s smile widened. “Very handsome.”
Rebel acknowledged her before returning his attention back to Brit. His ravenous gaze had her biting back a moan. The effect he had on her was beyond exciting… and kind of infuriating.
We’re partners. Stop lusting after him.
“Brit, swing by and see me when you’re finished,” he said. “I’ll be in the lounge.” He flashed that killer smile. “Enjoy your dinner.”
She watched him until he left the restaurant, happy to gawk without getting caught.
Mygod, that man’s got it going on.
“How do you know Joaquin?” Liliana sampled the lobster. “Delicious.”
“He’s a close friend of ours,” Addison said, as she spooned out scallops and lobster for herself and Brit.
“What have you been up to these pasttwentyyears?” Brit asked, the bite in her tone evident.
She cut the scallop with her fork, stabbed the delicate meat, and ate it. Warm butter and delicious spices danced on her tongue. Next, Brit tried the succulent lobster. The medley of flavors perked her up. She was a basic cook, but this was a culinary delight.
“I know you must hate me,” Liliana began. “I want you both to know I’m sorry that I left. Marriage is complicated. Your dad worked long hours. I should have been more supportive of his career. I knew what I was getting myself into when I married him. You were the joys of my life, but I got sucked into a cult, and I got brainwashed.” She held up her hand. “I know it sounds like an excuse, but that’s my life. Fortunately, I got out. Now, I try to help other cult survivors.” She pulled a book from her tote. “I wrote about it, and I’m writing a sequel. Now, I tour the country talking about my ordeal. In fact, I’m speaking here at an event. I hope you’ll both come.”
Mygod, this is all about her.
Maybe Brit should have been grateful her mother wanted to make amends, but she wasn’t interested in rekindling a relationship. She didn’t know this woman, didn’t want to knowher. There had been too many painful days and heart-wrenching nights that Brit couldn’t erase from her memory or her life.
Sometimes the past is best left in the rearview mirror.
“My memories of us are vague,” Brit said. “I remember how scared I was when you’d go out and leave Addison and me home alone. I remember the day you didn’t come back and the day after that. It was a very sad and scary time for us.”
Pausing, she put her arm around Addison, gave her a little hug, then broke away. “Looking back, I remember how weird it was being around Daddy so much. His cooking wasn’t good, but it got better. I remember the first time I saw him at soccer practice. I was seven, maybe eight. I looked over, out of habit, expecting to see you talking with the other moms. But he was sitting off to the side watching me.” Tears filled Brit’s eyes. “I waved at him and he gave me the thumbs-up sign.” A tear spilled down her cheek. “Addison and I grew closer, and she knows I would do anything for her. Absolutely anything. And I can speak for her when I say that we adore Dad. He’s our rock.”
She forked the other half of the scallop into her mouth, chewed, and swallowed. Her mom sat there, wide-eyed, her mouth agape.
Brit wasn’t being nice. She wasn’t being forgiving either. This reunion was gut-wrenching, dredging up a painful and life-altering time in their lives. Even so, she could let up on the gas.
Go easy.
Brit turned to Addison. “How many paintings did you give Daddy for the opening?”
“I… um…all of them, except the ones Nicholas wanted to keep. How many are you giving him?”
“My agent sent him everything. I had a bunch stored at Dad’s. I don’t even remember what half of them are, but I told him he could take whatever he wanted for the gallery.”
“What do you paint?” Liliana asked.
They answered her questions, and Addison asked several about their mom’s life in the cult. Half listening, Brit’s thoughts drifted to Rebel.
Everything about him drew her in, but none of those things would matter if he was impossible to work with. She’d just experienced that with Karen and had no interest in repeating that.
