AllFreeNovel
Share Us
We walk toward my mother, and I plaster a smile on my face. “Mom, meet my girlfriend, Amanda Tremaine.”
Amanda’s eyes widen, but before she can protest, Mom practically tackles her in a hug. “I’m so thrilled to meet you, Amanda. Beckett was just telling me about you and here you are. Let me look at you.”
Still holding Amanda’s shocked arms, Mom pulls back and examines her. “You are the prettiest little thing. No wonder he’s so enamored with you.”
“Mom. Enough. Leave her alone. She just got here. I’m sure she just stopped by to say hello. She needs to get back to her studio to paint.”
Mom waves her hand dismissively at me. “Nonsense. Don’t be rude. Amanda just arrived. She’ll stay for lunch. She needs to eat.” Turning to Amanda, she says, “You’ll stay for lunch, right?”
Amanda gives me a mischievous smile. “I would love that, Mrs. Windsor.”
“Please, call me Glinda.”
“Like the good witch inThe Wizard of Oz?”
Mom laughs and threads her arm through Amanda’s. “I’m usually good, sweetie, but sometimes I can be bad.”
Amanda starts laughing as they walk into the house, arm in arm.
I can only shake my head.
I look up. I swear, if I get through this unscathed, I promise to never tell a lie again.
CHAPTER FIVE
AMANDA
Idon’t know what I’m walking into, but for some reason, I can’t stop myself. I’m wildly amused watching a powerful man like Beckett Windsor squirm in front of his mother. It’s my chance for a little payback.
Glinda’s arm is still looped through mine as we walk into the house. She’s much taller than me. I can see where Beckett got his height. She’s attractive, with his same darker blond hair and blue eyes. Her hair is shoulder-length and styled perfectly.
She smiles down at me. “Do you have any children, Amanda?”
“Yes, I have a daughter.”
“How wonderful. Is she around Andie’s age?”
I remember Andie was nearly one when Beckett and I met, so she must be about five now. “No. My daughter is much older. She’s twenty-two.”
Glinda stops short. “How old are you? How is itpossible that you have a child that old? I had you pegged at around thirty-five.”
I squeeze her arm. “Flattery will get you everywhere, Glinda. I’m forty-four.”
“I see. Have you been married before?”
“Yes, once, for a short time, but it didn’t work out. We got divorced.” I hear Beckett clear his throat behind us, but Glinda doesn’t pay him any attention.
“How did you and Beckett meet?”
I don’t want to lie to her. “We met nearly five years ago at a party for my daughter’s cousin. We only got reacquainted recently.” Like three minutes ago.
“How wonderful. What does your daughter do? Is she in college?”
“She graduated early. She’s very high up in the design department at Daulton Holdings. Reagan Daulton is her cousin on her father’s side.”
Glinda’s eyes light up. “You must be thrilled that she and Beckett will be working together.”
What?
