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The room was full of her peers, her colleagues, her partners, many of her A-list celebrity guests, and a few of her key employees. Everyone she saw raised a glass in celebration. They all loved her.
And not one of them really knew her.
There it was. Edna had been unable to come, and Grant hadnt even returned her phone call. The latest tabloid shed read claimed he was marrying some starlet, and although the news shouldnt bother Tully, it did. It made her feel old and lonely, especially tonight. How was it that shed reached this age alone? Without a special person with whom she could share her life?
A waiter passed by her and she tapped his shoulder, snagging a second glass of champagne from his tray. "Thanks," she said, flashing the Tallulah Hart smile, looking around the ballroom for the Ryans. They still werent here. She was drifting in a sea of acquaintances.
She downed the champagne and went in search of another drink. The day of beauty with her daughter was everything Kate had hoped it would be. For the first time in ages, they didnt fight. Marah even listened to Kates opinions on things. After theyd chosen their gowns—a one-shouldered black silk gown for Kate and a beautiful pink chiffon strapless one for Marah—they checked into the Gene Juarez day spa, where they got manicures and pedicures, haircuts, and their makeup done.
Now they were in Marahs bedroom in the suite at the Olympic. Crowded into the bathroom, they stood side by side, studying themselves in the mirror.
Kate knew shed never forget the sight of them so close together: the tall, gangly daughter with the exquisite face, smiling so broadly her eyes tilted up, with her skinny arm around Kates bare shoulder.
"We totally rock," Marah said.
Kate smiled. "Totally. "
Marah kissed her cheek impulsively, said, "Thanks, Mom," and grabbed her beaded evening bag from the bed on her way to the door. "Here I come, Daddy," she said, opening it, stepping into the sitting room.
"Marah," she heard him say, whistling. "Youre gorgeous. "
Kate followed her daughter into the room. She knew she wasnt as shapely as shed once been, or quite as pretty, but in this dress, with Johnnys diamond-heart necklace at her throat, she felt beautiful, and when she saw the way her husband smiled, she felt sexy, too.
"Wow," he said, coming toward her. Leaning close, he kissed her. "You look hot, Mrs. Ryan. "
"You, too, Mr. Ryan. "
Laughing, the three of them left the room and went down to the ballroom, where hundreds of people were already celebrating.
"Look, Mom," Marah whispered, sidling close. "Its Brad and Jennifer. And theres Christina. Wow. I cant wait to call Emily. "
Johnny took Kates hand and led her through the crowd to the bar, where he got two drinks and a Coke for Marah.
Then they eased back and stood there, sipping their drinks and surveying the crowd.
Even in a room like this, Tully stood out in a flowing silk gown the color of Burmese emeralds. She sailed toward them, waving, her gown rippling behind her. "You guys look fabulous," she gushed, laughing.
Kate couldnt help noticing that Tully appeared a little unsteady on her feet already. "Are you okay?"
"Couldnt be better. Johnny, we need to say a few things onstage after dinner. Then well go to the dance floor to get the ball rolling?"
"Dont you have a date?" Johnny asked.
Tullys smile faltered. "Marah can be my date for the evening. You dont mind if I borrow her, do you, Katie?"
"Well—"
"Why should she care?" Marah said, gazing at Tully in adoration. "She sees me every day. "
Tully leaned close to Marah. "Ashton is here. Do you want to meet him?"
Marah practically swooned. "Are you kidding?"
Kate watched them walk away, hand in hand, heads cocked together like a pair of cheerleaders talking about the captain of the football team.
After that, the night lost some of its luster for Kate. Sipping her champagne, she followed her husband around the room, smiling when she was supposed to, laughing when it seemed appropriate, saying, "Im an at-home mom," when asked, and watching how those few words—a sentence that made her so proud—could kill a conversation.
All the while, she watched Tully pretend that Marah was her daughter, introducing her to one celebrity after another, letting her have sips of her champagne.
