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“I worked with my family for years, but they prefer smaller, more traditional homes. I prefer bigger, unique homes like Carter and Reagan’s. I’m in the process of breaking off and going at it alone.”
“That must be scary with the baby coming. Do you need backing?”
“Reagan and Carter are my silent partners.”
“Oh right, you and Carter are childhood friends.”
“Yep. He’s been my best friend since we were little kids.” Collin smiles. “He wouldn’t be who he is today without me.”
I let out a laugh. “No doubt. I meant what I said, leave your card.”
Mom asks, “Are you thinking of building?”
“I wouldn’t mind a house more in my style.” I look at Amanda. “Our style.”
Jade’s eyes move between us, taking it all in. “What the hell is happening here? I just learned about you two yesterday and now you’re talking about building a house. How long has this been going on?”
Andie answers, “Amanda moved in here last month.”
Jade stares at Amanda. “Is that so?”
Amanda answers, “I stayed most of the last month to get to know Glinda while she was visiting, but she’s leaving this week. I’ll be heading home.”
I see Andie about to protest.
I take her hand. “I’d like you to stay.”
Amanda doesn’t look happy that I’m saying this infront of everyone. Before she can respond, Jade says, “I think you should stay here, Mom.”
Jade knows that the press will hound her at her house. She’s safer here.
I just hope she listens.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
BECKETT
It took the press two weeks, but they eventually found her name. Because she paints under a pseudonym, they don’t know about her many paintings that have sold. They listed her as a struggling artist. She’s being portrayed as a gold-digger.
A month after that, they found out about her father. Several people in her hometown were interviewed about him being a thief and a scoundrel until he died. It was twenty-five years ago and has nothing to do with Amanda, but that’s not what they focus on. They’re insinuating all types of things about her.
I know she’s tried to stay away from the online nastiness, but I caught her crying while watching an interview about her father this week.
The press is camped out at her house. She finallyunderstood the need for security, and she allowed me to hire her a guard. As far as she knows, Lou is her only guard. They seem to get along well. Of course she won’t let him sit outside. She feeds and coddles him. She has three others she doesn’t know about whenever she leaves the house. I figured she’d freak out.
We spend all our time at my house. We haven’t been out in public together since Italy.
I think she’s getting stir-crazy. I suggested inviting friends over, which made her happy.
Her two closest friends and their husbands are coming over tonight. I’m looking forward to meeting them, especially Reggie. Her family obviously did a lot for Amanda growing up.
Amanda said she told them to be casual. I’m finding it’s nice hosting people and not getting dressed up. It’s new to me.
Andie is sleeping at her friend Dylan’s house, so she’s not here.
The doorbell rings at seven. I’m introduced to Reggie, Sam, Victoria, and Cliff. Amanda hugs them all in such a warm, loving, familiar way.
Reggie and Sam call her Mandy instead of Amanda. I learn that everyone who knew her before she left college always called her Mandy. It wasn’t after she dropped out that she had people call her Amanda.
