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I shook my head. “I’m confused.”
“She’s a hypocrite, okay?” Maddy hissed. “That’s the easiest way to sum it up. And she doesn’t apologize for herself because she’s never had to apologize for herself. She’s always been the one with the most power because she has the most money. We’re all just on the payroll, even my dad.”
I shook my head. “I can’t believe she already asked me about proposing to you. You know she’s Googling me right now, checking out my level of hanger-on-ness.”
Maddy bit her lip. “It’s for the best, I guess. I didn’t even have time to…” Her voice trailed off, and she looked around suspiciously. “We shouldn’t talk here. Let’s go to our rooms.”
I followed her through the cavernous house, and the painting caught my eye again. Hey, little red boat, it’s just you and me, and dude…how do we get out of here?
Chapter Eight
MADISON
I dragged Bob through the house to the east wing. We called it a “wing,” but really, it was a whole separate house attached to the main structure by a breezeway. He whistled when I brought him inside his room. The king-sized bed faced the wall of windows, which showcased a direct, unspoiled view of the beach. “Here we are.”
“This is amazing. I wish I could enjoy it, but I think I have PTSD from meeting your mom.”
I sank onto the bed, staring at the ocean. “Me too.”
Bob went to the closet and found his clothes already neatly unpacked and arranged inside. “So about your mother…” He sighed. “Sorry about what I said. I shouldn’t have talked about her like that. She just took me by surprise.”
“She definitely keeps us all on our toes.” I laughed, but it came out shrill. “I didn’t know she would do that—that she would hit on you. She might already be drinking.” I checked my watch.
“Does she…” Bob seemed to choose his words carefully. “Does she do this a lot?”
I shook my head. “Not to me. But then again, I haven’t had a boyfriend since high school.” I would have to ask Sienna, but I couldn’t picture my mother flirting with rail-thin, preppy Tim, Sienna’s fiancé. “I haven’t seen her act that inappropriately in a while. The wedding stress must be getting to her.”
He nodded, letting my flimsy attempt at rationalizing my mother’s actions slip by. “Is she always that rotten to you?”
I picked at some invisible lint on my skirt. “Yes.”
Bob sat across from me. “I don’t understand how she’s not proud of you. If I had a daughter, I’d want her to be like you—successful, accomplished, a business owner.”
I shrugged. “My mother never approved of me always reading books and choosing to take extra AP classes over hanging out with my friends and shopping all the time like Sienna did. She thought there was something wrong with me.”
“There’s nothing wrong with you.” Bob shook his head. “Your mother might be another story.”
“Did I mention I was sorry?” My eyes filled with tears, but I blinked them back. I’d vowed a long time ago not to let her make me cry anymore—it was such a waste of time and expensive mascara.
“You don’t need to be sorry. I feel bad you have to be here.”
“Well, my sister needs me.” I forced myself to smile. “So onwards and upwards!”
He motioned between the two of us. “Your mother didn’t seem to buy this. What do we do?”
“Just keep playing the part.” I shook my head. “I know I shouldn’t care what she thinks. It must seem crazy to you.”
Bob’s brow furrowed. “Not at all. I’d want a buffer from her, too.”
“Thank you for being awesome. I owe you one.” I got up to leave. “I’m going to head to my room to change, then I’ll come back and grab you in a half hour for lunch. I’m sure my sister will want to meet you.”
“Sounds like a plan.” He stood and walked me to the door. “Where are you staying?”
I licked my lips. “Next door.”
“Perfect. I’m glad we’re neighbors. If we need to make a run for it, I’ll know exactly where to find you.”
“Ha ha. We won’t need to escape. The worst is probably over.” I smiled as I headed out, but I caught a glimpse of Bob’s wary expression.
