“I’ll come with you. I’m dying to see if the kitchen is as fabulous as the rest of the penthouse.” My mother follows me.
Did she really need to use the bathroom, or did she snoop around the whole apartment? I wouldn’t be surprised if she gave herself a tour.
When Claudia stays seated, I ask, “Are you coming?”
She picks up her phone and waves it. “I have a call to make. I’ll be there soon.”
We leave her in the living room and enter the kitchen.
“Oh wow, this is gorgeous. Look at those fancy appliances. This kitchen doesn’t look cooked in,” she says as she slides onto a chair at the breakfast counter.
I pull three cups from a top cabinet and place them on the counter. “That’s because it hasn’t been. Lucas gets his meals from the restaurant downstairs.” I turn on the coffee machine and wait for it to brew.
“You know how to whip up a good meal. Lucas might appreciate it. It would be easy to get comfortable living here with him. He’s a handsome young man.” She gives me a teasing look.
“Mom, this is temporary. How could you even suggest such a thing when I only broke up with Darren a week ago?” Is she so concerned I’m going to be put on the shelf collecting dust and no man will ever want me?
She waves a hand. “I was kidding. Just trying to lighten the mood.”
Now I feel like a jerk for snapping at her. The coffee is ready, and I pour it in the cups, passing one to my mother. I take the other and sit next to her.
“All jokes aside, how are you, sweetheart? We haven’t had a chance to talk about what Darren did and how you’re feeling. I’m sorry he cheated on you and so publicly. You must be heartbroken.” Even though my mother focuses on my appearance, I know she loves me.
“I’m fine. Taking time away from everything made me realize that marrying Darren would have been a huge mistake. Not just because he was cheating on me, but because I was never truly in love with him. It was all too easy and comfortable, so I believed the next step was marriage. Finding out about the affair before the wedding was a blessing. I just wish it wasn’t so public.”
How did that video at my event get played? Why would Darren do such a thing and risk the backlash he might receive from it?
My mother gives my hand a pat. “He ain’t got the sense God gave a goose, and he won’t be able to make it without you. His injury ended his football career. Unless he finds another woman to carry him, his world will fall apart soon enough.”
“I’m sorry my career is ruined over this.” This affects her too as my ‘momager’.
She makes a tsking sound. “Don’t be sorry. It’s not your fault. You’ll get through this and come out better than ever.”
I smile even though I know she doesn’t truly believe that.
“Claudia must still be on the phone. Let’s join her in the living room. We’ll be more comfortable.”
Picking up our coffee cups, we take them with us. When I enter the room, I stop short. Lucas is walking into the living room. “Oh, hi. I wasn’t expecting you back so soon. Is everything okay?” I place my cup on the coffee table and hand Claudia hers, resisting the urge to run to him for a kiss.Stop thinking stuff like that!I mentally give myself a forehead slap. We are not a real couple.
Lucas smiles, and my heart squeezes. He’s so gorgeous and kind and funny. It would be so easy to—Again! Stop letting your thoughts trail into dangerous territory.
“Everything is fine. A statement is out. It’s in the hands of our PR team.” He turns to my mother and smiles. “You must be Ms. Aldin. I’m Lucas Alessi.”
My mother slips her fingers through the ends of her hair. “Please call me Elizabeth. It’s lovely to finally meet you. I’m in love with your fashion label.”
“Good to meet you too, and thank you. I see you’re wearing one of our creations. You wear it well.”
My mother blushes like a schoolgirl and giggles.Giggles!“You’re too kind.”
Next he turns to Claudia. “Nice to see you again, Claudia. It’s been a while.”
Claudia smiles back, but it looks a little stiff. Even after I’ve explained everything to her, why is she still mad at Lucas? Does she not believe him?
“Hi, Lucas. Yes, it has.” Claudia’s words are just as stiff as her expression. Maybe she needs time for all the information to sink in. It takes time to let go of the past even when you know it was lies. “Well, we’re done for the day, so I’ll head home.” She hooks the strap of her purse over her shoulder and stands. “Let me know if you need anything, Pen.”
“What about the coffee?”
“Sorry, don’t have time. There’s something I need to do.”
