After a protracted silence, and no apology from Kate, her incensed seventeen-year-old stormed out and slammed her bedroom door.

Score one for the grown-up.

*

After what felt like an endless day, Laura sat with her father and Marie in the lawyer’s office. They were leaving for the Bahamas the next day and Dad said they had to get the meeting done before they left, so she was missing three tests to sit here and feed this guy information. He was shooting questions at her about her mother and taking notes on a large yellow pad. It didn’t seem like she mattered at all, but Laura put up with it because once the hearing was over she would be with her dad full time and maybe he would stop talking to her about Mom. It was like he was obsessed that Laura like him better. Maybe if she lived with him full time, he’d believe she loved him.

The lawyer asked questions about what her mom did, who she saw, and how often she went out. The truth was, Laura didn’t know too much about her mother’s life because it was never important to her. Lately, the only thing she did know about was the trip she was taking with Julie to the Caribbean. They left this morning and were going to this awesome spa—a trip she should be on, but stupidly she blew off Mom for the Bahamas.

Mom always made dinner when she was there. She worked at night in her office. Her only friends were people from the school. That was about it.

“Oh, and there’s some guy who’s interested in her.”

That got her dad’s attention. “A man?”

“Yeah.” She looked toward her dad. “I heard her and Julie talking about him. But I don’t know if anything is going on. It may actually be over. I haven’t met him or anything.”

Marie looked at Richard and then the attorney. He nodded, knowing what they wanted him to do. “I’ll have the detective look into it.”

“Detective?” Laura asked. “You’re going to spy on Mom?”

Marie smiled and shrugged. “How do you think we know so much about her? You can only tell us so much, and we need this information to protect you, dearest.”

Her father leaned in and patted her shoulder. “I want to know who your mother is with to keep you safe. God knows who she’s cavorting with.”

Her relationship with her mom was far from perfect, but Laura doubted Mom would be with anyone dangerous. She hated all this legal shit. She just wanted a normal family, and at this point Dad and Marie were as close as she was going to get. God, that was pathetic.

Her phone buzzed and she glanced to the screen. It was a text from Jack. He wanted to see her that night, but she didn’t know if she would be able to get out. They were going to be packing and her dad would be around… it probably wouldn’t work. She really wanted to see him though. They’d been out twice and Laura really liked him. Based on the way he kissed her, she guessed he liked her, too.

“John, make sure the financials are part of the custody petition.” Laura snapped back to the conversation when she heard Marie’s voice.

“Financials?” Why were they talking about money? This was about custody.

“Sweetheart,” Marie said, “Any custody suit brings with it monetary issues. Your mother will have to pay us.”

“Whoa. You’re going to be paid to have me live with you?”

Her father was growing impatient and he shot Marie an annoyed look. “Laura, it’s money to support you. Your mother has it, so she’ll have to give it to us for you.” Her dad leaned over and kissed the top of her head. “Try not to let it worry you. All you’ll have to do is tell the judge where you want to live. The rest will take care of itself.”

She slouched in her chair and kept quiet for the rest of the meeting. Even though the discussion centered around her and where she would live, Laura knew it wasn’t about her at all.

Chapter 12

‡

Kate sat at her vanity, brushed out her hair, and methodically checked for the dreaded gray. Her dark hair spilled over her shoulders and she thought maybe she should cut it. Change was good, and certainly a more stylish haircut would be a step in the right direction. She set the brush down on the table top. Pathetic, Kate, truly pathetic. Just get a grip and accept who you are. Changing your hair isn’t going to change your life.

Her makeup applied, she went to her closet to get her dress. The Literacy Foundation Holiday Party was her event. She’d founded the organization several years ago, and she was extremely proud of what she’d accomplished. But she just wasn’t looking forward to the evening. Her deadline was looming, and since she’d returned home from the Caribbean she hadn’t gotten much work done. Waves of tiredness kept hitting her at unexpected times. No matter how much sleep she’d gotten the night before, any time became a good time for a nap.

“It’s probably just old age,” she muttered.

She went to the doctor that morning, but it would be a few days before all her test results were back.

The trip to the spa had done her some good, aside from a minor meltdown the first day. Julie had been great. Instead of accepting a date from one of the many men who asked, Julie stuck to Kate, claiming a girls’ weekend—no men welcome. Along with seeing a condo she might buy, they’d been massaged, buffed, facialed, manicured, pedicured, and toned. Her skin was tanned and glowing, her muscles were relaxed.

But no matter what she did, she kept thinking about David. Kate wondered if anything was more pitiable than a woman obsessed with a younger man. She supposed part of it was the sex. It was intense, passionate, and when she was with him she’d felt desired, and that was what she kept revisiting. Of course it was a lie. He called and tried to explain about the bit in the paper, but he didn’t come after her. In fact, he’d given up pretty quickly. David didn’t need her any more than her family did. He’d forget all about her, but at least with him it was understandable. He was a complete stranger.

She donned a simple midnight blue gown that was fitted tightly at the bodice and then flared out to sweep the floor. She added her grandmother’s pearl necklace and examined herself in the mirror. She was probably showing off too much cleavage, especially for this crowd, but overall, she looked more than respectable. The perkier boobs were a nice surprise. She turned to the left and then the right, looking at her profile—the extra time at the gym was paying off. She left for the party, hoping the evening would go by quickly.

*

Harmon Castle glowed as people arrived for the benefit. Pulling her car forward, Kate gave the keys to the parking attendant and happily greeted a few acquaintances as she walked up the grand steps. Friday night, a beautiful setting, a worthy cause, pleasant company—it was good to get out, away from her manuscript for a while. The entire week, when she wasn’t at school, she was in her office, writing, or attempting to write. Laura was barely home, so Kate would hole herself up for hours, late into the night, when she could stay awake. She had to force herself to do the most basic or necessary things like eat or exercise. No, this was definitely the right thing to do; if she didn’t get out, she’d become some weird old hermit.

There were quite a few familiar faces and she started to relax, plucking a glass of champagne from a tray as a waiter dashed by. Circling slowly, Kate took in the scene. The grand ballroom was beautiful. Decked in garlands of pine, gold, and silver, a massive Christmas tree adorned with Steuben and Swarovski ornaments towered over one end of the room. People who passed by glittered almost as much as the decorations. It was a large turnout, and she had no doubt the event would raise a fortune for the foundation. Then she choked on her Dom Perignon.

David was here.