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“I thought you didn’t want anybody to see this?”
We turned to find Vivian coming toward us.
“I had to prove we had no spare rooms available,” Muriella said by way of explanation.
“Things not working out with the roommate?” Vivian winked at me.
I grimaced. “I’m moving in with you.”
“Sorry, no room at the inn.” She didn’t look sorry.
I pointed between the two of them. “Whatever you think your meddling is going to do, it won’t.”
“I actually came to see you,” she said, glazing over my threat. “We have guest speakers every month at Paths. Usually professional women, leaders in their industries who we hope can impart some encouragement and wisdom to the ladies. The one I have lined up day after tomorrow isn’t going to be able to make it. I need you to do it.”
Public speaking wasn’t my favorite thing, but I was no stranger to it. My problem was time.
“That’s a wonderful idea.” Muriella clapped her hands together. “We haven’t had anyone like you speak.”
“Should I take offense to that?”
“Don’t be silly. I only meant someone in your field,” she said, and I relaxed a fraction. I was still rattled by Easton’s fury.Directed at me.“You’ll be incredibly inspiring.”
“I inspire all right, but I’m not sure it’s the kind of thing you want.”
Vivian smacked me in the arm. “It’s starts at nine, so you’ll need to be there no later than eight thirty. We can go over together. I’ll show you around.”
“I wish I could go,” Muriella lamented. “I have to be at church.”
“You won’t be missing much.”
“I’m glad you agreed to do it.” Vivian pulled me in for a side hug.
“Actually, I didn’t.” I awkwardly patted her back. “But I’ll be there.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Easton
“I thoughtDrew would be with you.”
My mother peered around me to the empty hotel hallway. That was news to me. I hadn’t seen him since I’d stopped by yesterday.
“Want me to see if I can find him?” His suite was up a few floors, though somehow I doubted he was there.
“No. No. I just—” She pulled me into an embrace like it had been years instead of days that had separated us. Once she let me go, she grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the sofa with her old vigor. “Tell me everything.”
“The new company is—”
“You know damn well I don’t want to hear about the new company. Mulaney. How’s it going? Has she warmed up a bit more?”
We hadn’t spoken two words to each other since the blowup yesterday, and we’d shared a lot of space. Tense, heated space.
I wasn’t sure what I was having a harder time coming to grips with: that she may have all but imploded Carter Energy or that she and my father— No, I couldn’t think of that now. Not in front of Mama. But Drew had implied she knew. In no universe did any of that make sense.
Why was Drew constantly trying to make me blame Mulaney? It was almost likehewas the one hiding something. I couldn’t believe my own brother would do that. Then again, nothing was as it seemed.
“Honey? Are you all right?” Concerned eyes landed on me.
