Page 58 of Legacy of Deception

Finally interlacing his fingers through mine, he squeezed my hand. “I think we can do that. We don’t need to invite everyone my parents have ever come in contact with.”

Lauren continued on, smiling sweetly. “Would you all like a moment to chat about this? I can step away and come back in a little while.”

I was sure she would have liked that.

“Certainly not. We better continue with the rest of the tour.”

“Very well. I know when we spoke on the phone you were most intrigued with the sixth floor, but if you are no longer interested or are deliberating, I would recommend we turn to the third floor for now.”

I mindlessly followed behind them, Marco’s hand still holding mine as we moved in sync, so unlike everything else in my life.

Not even a sliver of me should have been shocked my mother hadn’t so much as nodded in acknowledgment of my words. She’d wanted them, practically begged for them, but that was only because she was so sure I would have agreed with her. As soon as I didn’t, she removed herself from the situation. Or removed me from the situation. Truthfully, I couldn’t be sure which way it went.

As I went on listening to Lauren and her put their heads together and chat ahead of us, I wondered if maybe I could’ve been sure after all.

“There are multiple rooms you can choose from,” Lauren explained, her tone filled with excitement and joy. Not for this tour, I knew, but for something bigger. She loved what she did, and it was clear in everything she said. She knew this venue like the back of her hand, and she was proud to be employed by it.

It was something I may have envied if I knew it was remotely possible for me to achieve one day. Because envy was only acceptable if it was a form of motivation to get you where you wanted to be. Otherwise, it was just one more thing that could make you miserable.

“What is your most sought-after room on that floor?” my mother asked, looking over at Lauren who was holding her head high as we continued, moving toward the carpeted staircase.

“That would be the President’s Ballroom, ma’am.”

My mother placed a hand on the railing, using it as she went down. “We should start there.”

All the meanwhile, I felt Marco’s stare on me, the intensity of it sending chills through my body. I knew what he was probably thinking, but it wasn’t going to change, so we may as well have finished this tour and moved on with our lives. Pausing, she turned around, her eyes stopping on my hand in Marco’s before moving back down the stairs with ease. “Come on, Brooklyn. It’s not polite to lag behind. Plus, we can use this time to talk about your skincare routine before the wedding.”

Letting go of Marco’s grip, I moved quickly, catching up with her. I didn’t bother to look back. I didn’t want to see his expression.

“What’s wrong with the one I have now?” I asked on the last step.

Lauren guided us as she rounded a corner coming off the stairs.

“Nothing, but dry skin isn’t good, and a little skincare never hurt anyone.” She brought a hand to my blazer, pulling it tighter around me. “You really should consider maternity clothes soon. That’ll be fun, right?” I nodded slowly. “I learned about this skincare from my nail technician who heard about it from her dog walker. Anyway, the point is, I already have you scheduled for laser therapy that rejuvenates the skin on your face. You’ll look like you’re glowing.” Her lips curled into a radiant smile, and I wondered how she could be so oblivious.

Grumbling came from Marco, who was still a few steps behind, probably exactly where he wanted to be. “She does look like she’s glowing,” he said, speaking up.

“Marco, I’m trying to talk to my daughter.”

Running a shaky hand through my hair, I tried to think about all the ways I could get out of the rest of this tour. I didn’t necessarily understand why I was needed here anyway. “Honestly, Mom, I have to step away to use the ladies’ room.”

She stopped in her tracks. “Now?”

“Yes.” I squeezed her shoulder and leaned over, placing a polite kiss on her cheek. “I’ll catch up with you guys, though.” I’d seen the sign for the bathrooms when we’d first arrived. They were on the first floor.

“All right, well, if you’re doing that, then I am going to return a call I got earlier. I really shouldn’t have ignored it in the first place,” Marco explained, tucking a hand in his pocket as he pulled on the back of his neck.

“If you both must. Don’t take too long.” She rolled her eyes.

When we were out of earshot, I breathed a sigh of relief. “Nice excuse,” I said, shaking my head as I arched my back, feeling much more like myself once there was sufficient distance between me and my clueless mother.

“Yeah, you too.”

I rotated my neck fast, connecting with him. “How did you know I was lying?”

He shrugged. “I didn’t. Now I do.”

Reaching out, I placed my arm on his bicep with every intention of shoving him to make him slightly off balance, but it was me who felt that way when his smoldering gaze came down on my grasp. “You know, we are going to that restroom.”