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We went to the kitchen and ate risotto, dramatically fainting and laughing after every delicious bite.
Xander took out his phone. “Now I’m going to do my thing while you call her. Oh, wait. That pool.”
I laughed. “Have fun.”
I chose a wall that didn’t have a priceless piece of art or a humongous view of the New York City skyline as the backdrop for my FaceTime with Mom.
“Hi, Mom.” I blew her kisses, and she blew them back.
“Oh, look at you. You look amazing,” Mom gushed. “Where are you? It doesn’t look like your dorm room.”
“It’s not.”So much for trying to hide where I’m staying.
“You’re blushing.” Mom gave me a knowing smile. “Have you met someone?”
“Yes…I’m kind of with Paul Crane.”My voice was surprisingly even.
“Paul Crane. We’re talking Paul Crane of the famous Cranes?”
“Yes, Mom.ThatPaul Crane.”
She pressed her hand to her chest. “Oh, my God. But how? He’s a music composer and pianist. What is he doing at your design school? Are the Cranes dedicating a wing?”
Her idea was better than what I came up with to explain Paul to Dad. However, I had to stick to the same story. “I met Paul near campus, and he invited me to lunch.”
Mom laughed. “Wow, that’s amazing. I mean, holy moly, only in New York City. It’s like a movie there. I figured somethingwas going on with all these incredible financial boons. Some carpenter mysteriously wanted to repair the wraparound porch and garage this week. Did he hire you for a job and give you an advance? Oh, but that wouldn’t explain the mysterious donor who paid for Dad’s first kidney transplant surgery.”
“Paul heard about the kidney transplant from someone else. He paid for the hospital before we even talked about spending time together.” That wasn’t exactly a lie. I just left out the part about trying to become a surrogate at an agency where he was a board member.
She grinned. “Paul’s very handsome, but I had a mad crush on Jonas Crane. Sweet Jesus, when he walked in front of the cameras.” She fanned herself, and I laughed. “Don’t tell your dad.”
“Of course not.”I’m no fool.
“You like Paul Crane?”
I nodded and grinned. “I do.”
“Did you have sex with him?”
“Jeez, Mom!”Oh my God.I could feel my blush warm my cheeks. But this was Mom, and I needed to speak frankly. I needed her advice.
“I’m not a prude,” Mom went on, “and I understand women and men don’t always wait these days.”
“We haven’t yet, but he’s taking me to Paris, and—”
“Paris?!” she screeched, then got up and closed her office door. “That’s unusual, but then, he’s a famous billionaire. If your dad hears, he’ll get on a plane and beat Paul. He’s been talking about Matthias Crane and the ‘great swindle,’ as he put it. Now, I understand why he’s out of sorts about the Cranes. He’s upset and worried, but hasn’t been ready to discuss it with me.” She leaned toward the camera and looked at me closely. “Or does your dad have a reason to be upset?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Come on, Nadia. Tell me what else is going on.”
“Paul also gave me a-an apartment,” I stuttered.
She scrunched up her face. “Paul doesallthat for a girlfriend?”
“I’m not his girlfriend.” I bit my lip.
She squinted. “Paul’s given you an apartment, and he’s paying for everything. Honey, I don’t want to jump to conclusions here, but by your blush and hesitation, it sounds a little like dating, but not.”
