One Step Closer(49)

Wren’s well manicured brows shot up, but she went to the head of her bed, pulled down the covers and crawled under them, situating herself against the pillows and pulling another onto her lap. It was silly, but it was a barrier between Macy and herself and she needed it, no matter how frivolous.

When Wren didn’t volunteer anything, Macy launched into a set of questions. “How long have you lived in this house?”

“I was thirteen when Caleb’s father married my mom.”

“Where is she? Your mother?”

“She lives in California now. They were divorced just after I turned eighteen.”

Macy turned more toward Wren, pulling one leg underneath her. She was wearing a pair of satin shorts and a matching cropped chemise and showed a lot of cleavage between her large breasts.

“Hmmm. I gather you and Caleb are close, or you wouldn’t be here. Close for step-siblings, I mean.”

Wren still wasn’t sleepy, even though it was getting close to 2 AM. “Caleb represents many things to me; the least of which is my stepbrother. My life before I came to live here wasn’t good. My mother was really mean and after a while, Caleb became my friend. He wasn’t afraid of her like I was, and he kept her away from me. He’s very protective.”

Macy nodded. “I can see that. Caleb’s toughness is what attracted me to him, too. He’s got this bad boy thing going on underneath all that yumminess, even when he wears a suit. But it’s not just his body.”

“Right. It’s his attitude. He’s always ‘in charge’. He’s always been that way.” Wren stopped short. How much had Caleb shared about his relationship with his dad? She didn’t want to say anything he wanted kept private. “I feel bad for him. The company and the estate will be a lot to manage.”

“Yes. It’s too bad his father was such a bastard to him,” Macy said flatly. “But, at least Caleb has money now. When you were having dinner, did he tell you about the design firm he wants to start? It’s his dream. At least, it was before this.”

“No, we didn’t talk about that yet. There will be plenty of time.”

Macy’s eyes widened and she blinked once. “Maybe not. I think he’ll just put everything on the market and get back to life in San Francisco. At least I hope so. I couldn’t stand living this far from the ocean.”

“I love New York, but Colorado is so beautiful, especially in winter. I miss it.”

“Yuck!” Macy spat in disgust. “I hate snow and slush. Nope, I’m hoping we’ll be catching a flight Monday night, right after the will is read.”

Wren bit her lower lip. “Do you know that for sure?”

“I know Caleb, and he hates this house and the memories it represents.”

Wren’s heart fell but she hid it well, though her hand shook a little as she pulled her comforter closer. The memories here with Caleb meant everything to her and it hurt to hear he detested them.

“I’ve used Lux cosmetics my entire life. Ironic, isn’t it? Small world, I guess.” Macy smiled but it seemed like more of a sneer to Wren. She certainly lacked any real warmth and didn’t seem concerned for Caleb at all. That was the root of Wren’s dislike of this woman. She tried to push it down, but Macy’s arrogance was on the verge of obnoxious.

Wren turned onto her side and snuggled down into the covers, hoping Macy would get the hint and leave. Macy pointed to Wren’s locket, which had fallen out of the neck of the sweatshirt when Wren moved to her side. “Isn’t that the Lux logo? It looks familiar.”

Wren’s hand went to cover the precious gold and diamonds protectively, and she quickly shoved it back inside the shirt, not wanting Macy to see the photos of Caleb hidden beneath the swinging gate. The locket was the template for the Lux logo; the filigree rectangle nestled up to the “L”.

She could lie about it, and maybe she should. If she told the truth, she’d have to tell the whole story attached to it, and she wasn’t up for it, and selfishly, she didn’t want Macy to know. Ever.

“I’m really tired, Macy. Can we continue this talk tomorrow while we shop? Visitation is tomorrow afternoon, so I’ll want to go right when the stores open.”

Macy smiled and to Wren’s eyes, it seemed to be genuine. “Of course. Listen, I don’t have any sisters, so I’d really like us to be close. I’ll need a maid of honor very soon, I think!”

Wren was caught off guard and she stifled a small gasp, but tried to hide her surprise and the deep pain that sliced right through her heart. Caleb was that serious about Macy? “Uh…” she stammered and forced a smile, trying to cover. “Sure. That’s very sweet of you.”

Macy stood and walked toward the door of Wren’s bedroom. “Nighty night.”

When the door closed, Wren reached over and shut off the lamp. Maybe the darkness would be better at hiding her misery. She squeezed her eyes shut, as tears squeezed out from behind her lids. Her chest began to seize in pain. When Caleb had issues with her dating Sam, it led to a small thread of hope that maybe he had hidden feelings for her, as she had for him. But now, with Macy’s declaration, it was lost.

Wren turned her face into her pillow and held it close, praying as she started sobbing, that no one would hear. The best thing she could do was to get through the funeral and get back to her life in New York as quickly as she could.