Page 54 of The Problem with Playboys

Thirteen

“Ican’t believe your mom invited me to brunch.” Parker held the elevator for Chloe as she stepped on board, then followed behind her.

The door silently closed and Chloe entered the security code for her mother’s apartment. “She adores men, so I suppose it was inevitable that a guy would get invited at some point.”

“Do I look presentable?”

Chloe drifted into him and smoothed her hand over his chest. The French blue fabric of his shirt was cool to the touch, but she never failed to pick up on the warmth that radiated from him. “Good enough to eat.”

He smirked, bouncing both eyebrows. “Don’t get something started in the elevator, Chloe. I’ll make the worst second impression.”

She popped up on to her toes and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “Later, then.”

“Deal.”

Chloe wasn’t worried at all about the way he was going to be received by her mom. After the nightmare of everything that happened with Little Black Book, and Chloe’s reconciliation with Parker, she knew that she had one more gap to bridge—the one between Parker and her mother. It turned out that Chloe had been quite wrong about her mother’s ability to forgive a man for his transgressions, or at the very least, forgive his son. That first meeting in the hospital had gone remarkably well. Of course, Parker had charmed the hell out of her. That was what he did.

But he also hadn’t been shy about bringing up uncomfortable subjects. He apologized for his father’s actions. And he said he wished he’d taken some time to get to know her while she was married to his dad. Chloe gleaned some life advice from that as well—she shouldn’t have dismissed her mother’s marriage to George from the outset. She loved her mom, and that meant that she at least needed to see what all the hubbub was about when she chose to take the plunge with a man she loved. Maybe George and Eliza really had been in love, at least for a little while. And if that was all her mother was able to squeeze out of the relationship, Chloe decided that a bit of temporary happiness was better than none at all.

As for her and Parker, there absolutely was happiness. Once they’d both gotten past the horrible aftermath of the Little Black Book posts, there was nothing but a lovely home life. Home, as in Chloe had moved in to Parker’s. It was the only thing that made any sense at all. They didn’t like being apart from each other. They meshed too well. Chloe had handed over her place to Taylor for a few weeks, who was renovating her own apartment. She was so bored with her job as an events planner that she’d practically become a part-time interior designer, using herself as a guinea pig. Chloe had suggested that Taylor simply follow her heart rather than trying to merely seek success. She hoped her friend would take her advice.

Chloe’s mom pulled out all the stops for Parker’s first brunch—eggs Benedict, fresh-baked croissants, a simple green salad with champagne vinaigrette, a fresh fruit tart and, of course, mimosas. It would have been enough food for Taylor and Alexandra, too, but they were both busy and had been unable to come. Chloe adored her friends, but she was happy for this time where Parker and her mom could really get to know each other a little more while they enjoyed the fabulous meal.

“Parker, tell me about your little dog. Chloe says she’s adorable.”

Parker wiped his mouth with the napkin and put his arm around Chloe. “She’s the cutest. Her name is Blue. She’s a little troublemaker, too. But I love her.”

“We’re actually thinking about getting another dog. Just so Blue doesn’t have to be by herself.”

Her mom slanted her head to one side and jutted out her lower lip. “I love hearing you two make plans. It makes me incredibly happy.”

Parker leaned over and kissed Chloe’s temple. “I couldn’t agree more.”

Chloe felt the heat rise in her cheeks, but this was Parker’s effect on her. He made her feel alive. “We’re just looking ahead. No sense in looking back.”

“That’s right,” Parker said.

“That’s a wonderful attitude. But I do think we should talk about one thing from the past,” her mom said.

Chloe braced herself for something bad. Hopefully it wouldn’t be anything to do with Parker’s dad. “What, exactly?”

“Little Black Book. I’m sorry, but someone needs to stop them. They’re a menace,” her mom said.

“Yes!” Parker agreed. “I’m with you one hundred percent, Ms. Burnett.”

“They nearly destroyed your relationship. That alone should make you want to get back at them.”

“Someone has to rip off the mask and show them for who they are,” Parker said.

Chloe was frustrated that Parker wasn’t willing to simply let this go. It was like he was obsessed. Her mom wasn’t any better. “There’s some evidence that it’s linked to Simone Astley. That her diary is the original source material. But I don’t really know what the connection is between her and the people who are being targeted. And I don’t know who would want to air all of the secrets she uncovered over the years. She never had kids. Her entire family is gone.”

Her mom took a sip of coffee and looked off into space. “There’s one connection to you and I that I can think of.”

“Really? What?” Chloe was shocked to say the least.

“Yes. Tell us,” Parker said, putting down his fork and leaning forward.

“She attended The Baldwell School for Girls. The same prep school Chloe attended. And Taylor and Alexandra for that matter.”