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“If you insist, then I insist, too.” She handed me her book, the small, worn cover peeling at the edge; it was well loved.
“I can’t.” I shook my head.
“Nonsense. You can, and you will. It’s not every day you turn a big man into a flower lover. Plus, it’d make me happy.”
Make her happy? I’d do anything to help, anything to make her smile and feel better. My intention felt strange, knowing she wasn’t my mother, but wanting it so badly to be true that I made myself accept it. She was just like Alma, and just like Alma, she deserved the life she never got.
“If it makes you happy,” I said, flipping the pages, accepting the brief moment of silence that overtook our conversation. I knew what I had to do. “What’s your name?” I asked, desperate to make her unique, to believe she wasn’t really my mother.
“Natalie.” She reached out, her open palm ready for a shake, “Natalie Brower.” I placed my hand in hers, its size consumed within mine. “And you?”
“Alex! We’re ready for photos,” Ivanna shouted from the porch, startling both Natalie and me to turn and look. She laughed, seemingly puzzled by a sudden realization.
“Alex?” she asked, hinting with a surprise of who I might actually be.
“Rivers…” I added. “Alex Rivers.” I released her hand, capturing the smile that reminded me of the only good moments I had as a kid. This wouldn’t be the last time I made her smile or the end of us. I’d help her, I’d make sure she had more than Belmont Hills. “See you later, Natalie.”
I turned and made my way to Ivanna who arched a brow.
“Mingling is not the best idea,” she cautioned as we walked along the porch towards Mrs. Blair and a man with a camera.
“I was cautious and considerate. Besides, she’s safe from the sun now.” I tucked the book she gave me into the lined pocket of my jacket. “You were mentioning apartments. Which ones did you have in mind?”
Ivanna grinned, feeling as if she had succeeded in some masterplan to get me to stay. She pulled open her phone, giving it a long swipe. “The first is actually a hotel. They expressed interest in hosting you.”
“Hotel?”
“A penthouse.”
“What’s it called?” I faked a smile for the cameraman who began to wave as we approached.
“The Pierre Hotel.Superfamous.Veryposh.”
I shrugged at the suggestion, not really caring where I’d stay.
“Give them the green light,” I answered. “And tell the director I’ve already made up my mind. We’re staying in New York.”
Chapter39
Gemma
“Once I saw Natalie, I knew Ihadto help her… and whether she wanted it or not, I was going to keep her away from the one guy who could hurt her.”
“From Michael Brower?” I asked as Alejandro shot a surprised look. I knew he wanted to ask me about that name, about how I knew it, but the pieces had already clicked together. The only likely reason was Parker, and I could see that realization on Alejandro’s face as he slowly started to nod.
“She kept his name from me, probably for the best. You have to understand, I didn’t know much about Natalie at the time. She was guarded like us, but I knew she had addictions and that her husband was an enabler. Regardless, after she left Belmont Hills, I did the one thing I probably shouldn’t have…”
Alejandro licked his lips, soothing them.
“Is it what caused the lawsuit?” I asked.
“Not directly, but it was the beginning of it… the tipping point. I made a deal with her…”
“A deal? What could you have possibly wanted?”
“Everything I couldn’t give my mother…” He answered quietly, the faintest hint of regret choking in the back of his throat. It wasn’t just an honest feeling, it was an honest reaction, and I felt it in my heart, knowing that behind the leather, behind the grimace and scruff, was a broken boy. He clenched his teeth, annoyed with the vulnerability that he wiped from his eyes. “She promised to never see Michael again… and yeah that was nice, but I needed guarantees. That meant keeping her close by, that meant taking responsibility for her safety… which was why Iinsistedshe live with me at The Pierre Hotel, agreeing to give her a safe place to stay so long as she stayed away from him.”
“That couldn’t have been an easy decision to make…”
