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“What sort of fun do you think I’d be interested in?” she asked, her manner serious rather than flirtatious.
“Hard to say until I get to know you better.” He had several ideas on the subject. “But would you have guessed that you’d enjoy today’s race as much as you did?”
“No, not really. Maybe I do need to look outside my lim
ited circle of activities.”
“So that’s a yes to new experiences?”
“As long as you’re willing to balance adventure with somewhat tamer forms of entertainment,” she said, “I’m in.”
No sweeter words had ever been spoken by a woman.
Six
Shortly after lunch on the Monday following her weekend in Richmond, London sat at her desk, doodling on her notepad, her cell phone on speaker while Maribelle went on and on about how much she and Beau had enjoyed their time at the raceway. London’s attention, however, was not on the race but on the man who’d invited her to it.
Almost as if her friend could read her mind, Maribelle said, “He’s really into you. I think that’s so great.”
Maribelle’s remark sent a little shiver of pleasure through London. “I don’t know what to think.”
But she wasn’t being completely truthful. London was in fact thinking that she’d intended to use Harrison to get close to his brother, and the more time she spent with the race-car driver, the more troubling her attraction to him became.
Despite their closeness, London hadn’t told Maribelle about the crazy plan hatched at the Beautiful Women Taking Charge event. London knew if she looked too deeply at why she’d kept it from her best friend of fifteen years, doubts would surface about her moral choices. Shame flooded her as London realized how far she’d strayed from the person she’d believed herself to be. Yet to stop now when others were depending on her...
“Are you worried what your mother would think of him?” Maribelle asked, breaking into London’s thoughts.
Maribelle had been there for London during high school when Edie Fremont-McCaffrey’s frustration with Charleston’s society rules had made London’s life hell. It wasn’t her fault that she wasn’t allowed to be a debutante, but that hadn’t stopped her mother from raining criticisms down on her daughter’s head. Blaming her mother gave London an excuse to be conflicted about getting involved with Harrison so that her real concerns never had to surface.
“She wasn’t exactly thrilled with the fact that Linc was a professional baseball player, but he was wealthy and had the old Charleston social connections that she wanted for me.” London toyed with her earring. “Can you imagine how she’d feel about Harrison? Not only is he a race-car driver, but his father and uncle are from off with no social standing.”
“Why do you care?”
It wasn’t the first time Maribelle had asked the question. Nor did it spark the familiar surge of resentment that was always just below the surface. About how easy it was for someone who had it all to downplay their advantages. Add to that how supportive Maribelle’s family was about everything she did, and bitterness had often colored London’s mood. Today, however, London was feeling less defensive than usual.
“Because fighting her is so much work. It’s easier to give in.” The admission flowed from London’s lips, startling her. And apparently surprising Maribelle, as well, because for a long few seconds neither woman spoke.
“Oh, London.”
Sudden tears erupted in London’s eyes. Shocked by the rush of emotion, she blinked rapidly, determined not to give in. Her mother had hounded her mercilessly all her life and London had always braced against it. For as long as she could remember, London had maintained a resilient facade while secretly believing that Edie was right and it was all London’s fault.
She picked up the phone and took it off speaker. “My mother is a tyrant,” she said in a barely audible whisper, almost as if she was afraid to voice what was in her heart. “She has criticized nearly everything I’ve ever done or said.”
“She’s a terrible person,” Maribelle agreed, always London’s champion. “But she’s also your mother and you want to please her. It’s normal.”
But was it? Shouldn’t parents want what was best for their children? That being said, Edie would claim that encouraging her daughter to marry well was the most important thing for London’s future, but it was pretty clear that her mother didn’t take London’s happiness into account, as well.
“Maybe I need a new normal,” London groused.
“Maybe you do,” Maribelle said, her tone deadly serious. “What are you wearing right now?”
The question came out of nowhere and made London laugh. She dabbed at the trace of moisture lingering near the corner of her eye and found her spirits rising.
“Are you trying to get me to engage in phone sex with you?” London teased, pretending to sound outraged. “Because I don’t think either of us rolls that way.”
“Ha, ha.” Maribelle sounded more impatient than amused. “I’m only asking because I heard you making plans to get together with Harrison today to go venue shopping. I hope you’re wearing something less...reserved than usual.”
London glanced down at the emerald green wrap dress she wore. The style was more fun and relaxed than her typical uniform of conservative suits in understated shades of gray, blue and black.
