A Perfect Distraction(105)

Sure there was a downside—the lack of privacy, the paparazzi, the gossip media. But like the calories in her bacon sandwich, that was the price you paid.

“More tea?” the stewardess asked. “This will be the last round before we land.”

“No, thanks.”

“We’ll be starting our descent shortly, so if you want to beat the rush for the bathroom, I’d nip in now.”

“Good idea.” Maggie stood and got her carry-on bag down from the overhead locker.

The problem, she reflected as she got changed, wasn’t the lifestyle but her lack of self-belief. Her mistaken fear that enjoying those things would somehow turn her back into meek Margaret and she’d make the same mistakes that had hurt Emily.

“I’ll never be meek Margaret again,” she told her reflection. And while she’d probably make mistakes, she’d never do anything to hurt her daughter.

Maggie had finally embraced the person she really was.

“Ladies and gentlemen...”

At the pilot’s announcement, Maggie buttoned the jacket on her red suit. She’d brought it deliberately because it had marked a turning point in her blossoming self-confidence and her relationship with Jake. She hoped it would mark a turning point in her future.

Somehow the suit gave her extra strength, as if Jake was with her. She could almost feel the warmth of his hand against her back as she returned to her seat. The whisper of his breath against her neck as she fastened her seat belt.

Instead of making her more vulnerable, having the right man by her side made her stronger. Jake was the right man. She knew that to the depths of her soul.

But how did she convince him?

The jolt of the plane landing broke into her thoughts.

Once inside the terminal, Maggie switched on her phone. Her heart lifted as she listened to Emily’s voice mail—her version of a hockey chant.

“Let’s go, Mummy! Go, Mummy, go!”

Tracy added her good luck wishes but said nothing about what had happened at NHL headquarters.

Scrolling through her texts, Maggie found one from Jenny. A smiley face.

Jake’s name had been cleared. Relief filled her, but she was left with unanswered questions. How had he reacted? What did this mean for the future?

Maggie shook her head. She couldn’t fret about that now. She had a meeting to get to.

As she didn’t have luggage, Maggie breezed through the formalities. The prebooked driver was waiting in arrivals, holding up a sign with her name.

Despite the rush-hour traffic, the journey passed quickly. As neither side had wanted to risk a media presence, Samantha had suggested using a neutral office facility near the airport.

When Maggie arrived, her solicitor was already there. They hugged, laughing over their coordinating outfits; Samantha wore a stunning red tweed suit and the same black patent Chanel shoes as Maggie.

“The meeting shouldn’t take long.” Samantha led the way into the conference room and chose seats on one side of the long table. She opened her red-leather briefcase and laid out folders. “Everything has been agreed in principle, so all we need are the signatures.”

Maggie poured them coffee. “You think it’ll go that smoothly?”

“Sadly, no. Lee is bound to make a last-minute power play to soothe his ego. But I won’t let him derail things.” She gave Maggie a firm look. “Don’t let him get to you.”

Maggie squared her shoulders. “I won’t.”

“Good. Now, before they get here, we should go through the amendments.”

They took their seats and bent their heads over the folders. The phone rang as they finished, announcing that Lee and Patty had arrived with their lawyer.

Maggie’s heart thumped heavily. “Showtime.”

Samantha rubbed her hands together, her smile predatory. “I’m looking forward to finishing that weasel off.”

The door opened and Patty came into the room, alone.

It was like looking in the mirror ten years ago. Maggie shouldn’t have been shocked by the changes to the young soap star, but she was. Patty’s once-dark hair was now blond. The plum-and-gold leather Versace suit was low cut, with a micromini that barely covered her bum, while the six-inch heels of the matching Prada peep toes made Maggie’s calves ache.

“Lee’s on the phone. He’ll be here shortly.” Concern tinged Patty’s smile.

When the door opened again, Maggie tensed, but the familiar dread at seeing Lee never appeared. Though her stomach knotted nervously, she felt calm, strong. Ready to deal with whatever Lee threw at her.

As ever, her ex made a grand entrance, talking loudly on his mobile while barking out orders to the lawyer scurrying behind. He stalked to the table, stopping behind Patty’s chair. He unbuttoned his Armani jacket, then shot his cuffs, fiddling deliberately with his Rolex before resting his hands on Patty’s shoulders.