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She sobs into my chest. I carry her over to the sofa and sit with her on my lap.
Jade and Collin sit on the loveseat across from us. Collin asks, “Is that really your mother?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know. I guess I sort of resemble her.”
Jade shakes her head. “Are you fucking nuts? That woman looks like a saddlebag with eyes. You’re beautiful. She looks nothing like you.”
“She knew things about where I grew up and my father. Small details that I don’t think she’d otherwise know.”
She turns to me with so much pain in her eyes. Pain caused by her affiliation with me. “When will it be over? When will they be done painting me as gold-digging trailer trash?”
I rub her back. “Try to ignore it.”
“Like you did last night? Somehow a trip to the store to get ice cream with your daughter, with the bodyguard you forced me to have, set you off in a fit of jealousy. Is that ignoring the nonsense put online about me?”
I blow out a breath. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” I rub her arms. “I hated his hands on you, and I overreacted. I don’t like another man’s hands on your body.”
Jade scoffs. “Holy shit. You have a very clear type, Mom. He’s a possessive lunatic just like Dad.”
I scowl at her. “I’m not possessive. I’m protective. There’s a difference.”
She deadpans, “That’s exactly what my dad said after he pushed Collin through a glass wall for hugging me.”
Amanda looks at her. “Why don’t you and Collin get going. I know you both have work.”
Jade shakes her head. “I’m not leaving you.”
“I’m fine. I have Beckett. I need to talk to him. You two go.”
Jade is about to speak when Collin grabs her hand. “Do what your mom asked. Let’s get going. Let them talk. It’s what she wants.”
She stands. “Ugh. Fine. I hate it when you’re the sensible one. I’ll call you in a bit, Mom.”
“Thank you for being here.”
Jade and Collin both kiss Amanda’s cheek and then leave.
When the front door closes, she sinks her head into my neck. “Why are they out to get me? What have I ever done to them?”
I rub her back. “Nothing. You’re perfect. Theycan’t handle perfect, so they make up things. I was thinking that we should go away. Let’s get out of the spotlight for a few weeks. A little relaxation is needed for both of us.”
“Where do you want to go?”
I smile down at her. “To our happy place.”
“To the boat? Back to Italy?”
I nod. She starts to protest, as I knew she would, but then I say, “We’ll bring Mom and Andie this time. You and Andie can paint landscapes. We’ll sightsee, swim, eat good food.”
Her face lights up. “Really? I think I’d like that.”
And that’s what we do. For two glorious weeks, we hide from the world.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
AMANDA
Things have been great. Going back to Italy with Glinda and Andie was a dream. Beckett practically had SWAT team surveillance above and around the boat. I didn’t even put up a fight. I just wanted my time with them away from the constant spotlight, and that’s exactly what I got.
