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“None of us meant to offend,” Haven said. “It’s not personal. It’s just that you don’t quite fit, so cutting to the chase, Hayes and I are willing to make this all as painless as possible. Perhaps even a preferred outcome for you.”
I remained silent, not because I was shocked by her candor but because silence is an underrated power move during a negotiation, which is obviously what this was.
“So what would it take?”
I was still quiet, but kept up the eye contact.
“Hayes and I are willing to pay you to break it off with our son. For good.”
“I heard you. What would Collin have to say about that?”
“Nothing. Because as part of the deal, you wouldn’t tell him.”
“You’ve done this before.” I smirked.
“Well, Collin always seems to be lured in by... the unfamiliar, and we’re just keeping watch. So what do you want?”
“I want to be with Collin.”
“A million? Two million?” She would have raised her eyebrows like a movie villain if she could, but alas, she was beyond the baby-Botox years. Zero movement up there. Meanwhile, I pretended to be impressed by those figures.
“See?” She smiled smugly, prematurely satisfied with herself. “A preferred outcome.”
“I don’t—”
“FIVE million dollars,” Haven declared. “Best and final and you should take it.”
She really thought I would take it. It was a considerable amount of money. If I was anyone else, I’d have considered it, but I was my mother’s daughter.
I stood up to gaze down at her.
I didn’t want five million dollars.
I wanted all of it.
“No,” I said. A complete sentence now, per the Olsen twins, have you heard? I headed for the doors, my back to Haven, doubling down on disregard for her offer. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell Collin. It’ll be our little secret.” I turned to look at Haven once more as I slid the doors open. “Free of charge—Oh!”
Well, if it wasn’t the little It girl herself, Calliope, listening to what I can presume was the entire conversation. Haven scurried between us, fleeing the scene without another word, but Calliope lingered with me for a moment, not at all guilty about being caught.
“Good for you,” she said, sincerely amused and impressed. I just cleared my throat.
“Collin will be wondering where I am.”
“He’s not the only one,” Calliope replied, whistling softly and walking next to me as we made our way back to brunch.
•••
THE MAIN TAKEAWAYfrom the day was that Collin seemedveryenthralled by the whole “girl from the wrong side of the tracks” perception of me, clearly aiding in his efforts to establish independence from the family he’d always hopelessly be dependent on, for better or worse. It wasn’t an ideal scenario, but it was perhaps the most realistic. I had known the Cases were unlikely to receive me with open arms, the payout offer from Haven all but confirming the uphill battle, but perhaps I didn’t have to try so hard at all. The more they openly disapproved of me, the more Collin wanted to push back, even if it was discreet. He liked the way it made him feel. The wayImade him feel. Now this was a dynamic I could brandish in my favor. I had to keep pushing the Cases, but just enough to ensure Collin’s continued loyalty to me. Make his family the bad guy, the bully, and I was their undeserving victim. So Collin could be my hero.
I returned to my seat in good spirits, with a quick readjustment of the décolletage for the men to appreciate and to add further fuel to the fiery feminine energy in the room. They all noticed, but Calliope was the only one who smiled at me devilishly.
“You lookrefreshed, Bea.” She stifled a laugh. “Coll, maybe you could take her to the Newport house for Memorial Day?”
Gale’s eyes widened at the thought, and she jumped into action.
“I think Bea would be so bored in Newport. Just spring for a hotel somewhere fun. Miami, Mexico, whatever. I mean, the family homes are for, you know, special occasions.” She smiled at Haven, who nodded in approval. “It’s just Memorial Day.”
“Nah, she’ll love it,” Collin said, seemingly emboldened by Calliope’s suggestion. He threw a lanky arm around me in a grandshowing of possession. Of me, but also of himself. “It’s a great idea, Cal.” Collin smiled, happy his sister threw us a bone.
