Lie to Me (Pearl Island Trilogy #4)(22)

“Oh, sorry.” Chloe grimaced, then continued with her rant. “I know her type. He’ll be as full of himself as he is good looking and rich. The money and looks are all she ever sees. At least this time she doesn’t have to wait for the lying, cheating bastard to get divorced before they can tie the knot.”

“Well, there is that, at least,” Allison offered in a failed attempt at humor. “I’d say don’t let her upset you, but that’s always easier said than done. No matter what, she is still your mother.”

“But why is she so insistent I come to this party?” Chloe asked. “We haven’t had much to say to each other since Ralph, the last ‘Mr. It’, dumped her for a younger woman.”

“And you said, ‘I told you so,’” Allison gently reminded her as she took over rearranging the dolls.

“So sue me,” Chloe said in defense of her actions, despite the regret that brought back the urge to cry. Damn it, though, she didn’t know who or what she wanted to cry over. Her mother? Herself? The endless cycle of hope and heartache that defined both their lives? Swallowing hard, she returned to the camera settings. “I was right, wasn’t I? She got that jerk to leave his ‘aging’ first wife for her, the hot new thing in his life, then she’s shocked when he dumps her for someone even younger?”

Allison didn’t say anything.

The silence made Chloe glance over. She found her aunt studying her with sorrow in her eyes.

“Don’t give me that look,” Chloe insisted.

“I’m not giving you any look.”

“Oh yes, you are.” In truth, her aunt’s expression held nothing but sympathy. That was all it took, though, to stir her own guilt. “You’re thinking I’m being too tough on Diane. That her last divorce hit her hard. That she’s feeling lost and abandoned, and I should cut her some slack.”

“Chloe, stop.” Allison strode over and cupped her face. “I didn’t say any of that. I didn’t even think it.”

“But I know how much you value family.” Chloe’s voice nearly broke on the final word.

“I do.” Several beats passed before Allison spoke with a calmness that added weight to her words. “But ‘family’ is about more than blood. Being someone’s biological mother or grandfather or cousin or whatever doesn’t give them the right to thoughtlessly trample your emotions. If you don’t want to go to Diane’s engagement party, I think you have the right to say no.”

“Oh, God.” Chloe’s restraint broke. Giving in, she wrapped her arms around her aunt in a very rare hug. Tears filled her eyes when Allison’s arms went eagerly around her. “I don’t know what to do! I don’t want to go, but…”

“But…” Allison’s sigh sounded resigned as her arms tightened. “She’s your mother. It’s only natural for you to love her.”

And that, Chloe realized, was as much behind her pain as the thought of losing what she’d found on Pearl Island if she lost her trust fund. Deep down, she ached to have a good relationship with her mother.

“Does that make me weak?” Pulling back, she bit her lip.

“No! It makes you human.” Allison brushed a tear from her cheek. “Are you going to go?”

“I haven’t decided.” Did she have a choice, though?

“Well,” Allison said, “you know I’ll support you no matter which decision you make.”

“I know. Thank you.” Chloe let her aunt pull her in for another hug. Physical affection still didn’t come naturally to her, which made her savor it even more.

“Am I interrupting?” a male voice asked from the doorway.

Chloe stiffened. Embarrassed to be caught crying, she wiped frantically at her cheeks before turning with a forced smile. “Luc. Hi.”

“Am I early?” He glanced at his watch, and scowled. “Probably late. Sorry, I stayed up most of the night working and I kinda overslept.”

“You’re fine,” she assured, praying her nose and eyes weren’t too red. “I was just…” Her words trailed off as she took him in. He looked model perfect in a navy polo and khaki slacks. He hadn’t overdone it this time with any half-tucking or collar flipping. He had, however, pushed those expensive designer sunglasses to the top of his head, which held back his gorgeous hair in an uber-hunky way.

Today, though, it didn’t bother her. Now she realized his attention to fashion didn’t come from vanity. He was compensating for the past. The thought made her smile. “I’m afraid I’m still working.”

“Oh.” His expression turned worried. “If I’m too early, I can come back.”

“No! I’m almost done.” Actually, they hadn’t even started taking individual photos of the dolls. “What I mean is, I can make this fast.” She turned to her aunt, hoping that wouldn’t inconvenience Allison. “Is that okay? If we hurry this up?”

“Chloe,” Allison laughed. “Don’t be silly. We can finish this later.”

“I can finish it now.” She felt a spurt of panic. With her grandfather’s threat looming, she needed to be more indispensable than ever to the inn. Maybe then she could figure out a solution to staying even if she lost the trust fund. “I know how important it is for you to have fresh content for the website.”