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“Come to the gala. You’ll see everything in my life is inorder.”
Her gaze narrows. “Champagne and suits hide all manner of deficiencies.” At the desk, my mom goes through the contents from my pockets, lifting the three-inch dog. “What isthat?”
“FromDaisy.”
Mom turns the dog over in her hands. “She still sends me cards every holiday. This Easter, she said she saw a new network airing reruns of myshow.”
I rub a hand through my hair. Of course Daisy would find a way to check up on my mom without making it seem that way. She’s the smartest woman I know. She has an eye for details and can read people. I’d love to have her at the negotiating table, except she’d never leave her company and I can’t blameher.
I don’t know what I would’ve done over the years without our friendship. She’s the rock I hang onto when the world tries to drag me off into itswaves.
But in the bathroom at brunch this weekend, she was the one who wanted to redraw the boundaries, pushing me out of her life by design. It was surprising anddisturbing.
“If you could find a nice girl like that,” Mom goes on, “I’d be convinced you have your life in order. I could relax knowing you’re lookedafter.”
“I have a nice girl like that. Daisy’s coming to the gala withme.”
Mom’s face lights up. “Really? I had no idea you weredating.”
The utter delight on her face, as if this is the culmination of everything she set out to do, floors me. If I’d known everyone in my life was holding out for me to date my best friend… I would’ve done itsooner.
In for a fucking penny.“Weare.”
“Good.” She sucks in an excited breath, hands balling into manicured fists. “You know I love aparty.”
6
Itakea seat across from Aiden Vane and his future bride on the structuredcouch.
“Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials,” I say by way of introduction. “I’ll do everything in my power to present the image youwant.”
Aiden, whom I met for the first time today, is sitting at least a couple of body lengths away from his fiancée at his father’s corporate headquarters. He’s tall and straight-backed, with a lean face and strong jaw. He looks as if he’s been tapped to run for office but doesn’t wantto.
Camila, by contrast, looks relaxed, ankles crossed easily under her dress, hand in herlap.
We run through a few of thequestions.
“How do you like to spend your time alone together?” I read off the sheet in front ofme.
Aiden clears his throat. “Cross that questionoff.”
I’m not sure what I was expecting, but more warmth forsure.
By the fifth question he vetoes, I can’t stand it anymore. “We’ve already crossed off five questions. At this rate, it won’t be an interview, it’ll be a photo with your names onit.”
Camila stifles asnort.
I need a new approach. “Why don’t we put the questions aside for a moment and you tell me about yourselves? How did youmeet?”
Aiden shifts back in his seat, his dark hair and suit perfect. “Eight months ago. At a charityevent.”
I hide my surprise. “And were you attracted rightaway?”
“Aiden does cut an impressive figure,” Camila comments, but I get the sense there’s an insidejoke.
“That’s not why we’re getting married, and you know it,” hesays.
“Why are you getting married?” Iask.
