“No. No, don’t you make it sound like that. Every time something doesn’t go exactly the way you want it to, you start this bull. The manipulation and bending the truth, putting a nefarious spin on everything. Cat is like a sister to me. She’s been nothing but good for me, and Galen came here and helped me through a very rough time. I didn’t pay for his ticket, and he has his own money. They are the best friends I’ve ever had.”
“Well then I suggest you start interviewing for new ones, because a true friend wouldn’t lead you down a path of destruction and heartache or be party to the breakup of your marriage.”
“I. Am. Not. Married.” She all but spat the words, but her mother barely blinked.
The determination in Rowena’s eyes was chilling. “You spoke vows. We had a contract with Marty’s family. The merger is in place. We have made promises to clients about this expansion; there are deals on the table contingent on this going through. This isn’t some child’s game to be tossed aside over a crush. People’s livelihoods depend on this. Already the negative press is damaging our name. We need to make this right, and we need to do it now.”#p#分页标题#e#
It took every ounce of self-discipline to keep her voice low enough that the other diners wouldn’t hear. “You know, Mother, people who negotiate these types of arrangements have a name. They’re called Madames. Or pimps, if you prefer.”
Rowena didn’t bother to feign shock or horror. Instead, her shrewd eyes narrowed at the barb. She looked like a snake. “Don’t be such a drama queen. I’m not selling you off to some lecherous sheik. Marty is a nice young man with an impeccable pedigree. Our families are doing what good families have done for generations. Ensuring that our son and daughter settle down with a spouse of equal standing.”
“And in your estimation”—she could feel the pulse throbbing in her temple and fought to keep her composure—“a man who would cheat on his wedding day is my equal?”
Her mother shrugged her slim shoulders and took a sip of juice before responding. “I’m speaking socially. You thought he was fine until his little slip. In fact, you were happy to marry him. As for the man’s character, it’s no worse than most. You always were such a little prude about that. Men are lustful beasts, Lacey. Make your home, make your babies, spend his money, enjoy the club and your social life, and turn the other cheek to the rest of it.”
Lacey drew back, as much stunned that her mother still had the ability to shock her as she was by her words. “You can’t possibly believe that.”
“Oh, but I do.”
“I guess that’s easy to say, since Dad never cheated. Why you would want that for your only daughter, I don’t—”
Rowena’s mirthless, tinkling laugh skated down Lacey’s spine like an icicle. “Oh, darling girl, don’t be so naive. How do you think I got him to buy me the house in the Hamptons? Or that Bentley? Or this bracelet, for that matter.” She held out her hand to examine the diamond bangle with a fond smile.
Lacey’s stomach heaved, and she bit down on her trembling lip. Her mother had always been a dragon, but her father? A distant but doting teddy bear of a man. The one she could count on for a hug or an ear to bend when he was home to give it.
A cheater.
As much as she didn’t want to believe it, when her mother met her gaze again, she saw the truth there, laid bare. She shook her head violently. “No. Not me. I don’t want that. I won’t have that. I want someone who will be honest and loyal and who loves me more than anything else in the world.”
Rowena swept a hand over her flawless updo. “Then get a dog.”
Lacey wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of flinching. “I won’t let you crush this dream for me.”
“Is that what you think you have in your boxer up there? A dream?”
Lacey looked away, refusing to answer.
“Here’s a wake-up call for you, then. If a vapid little man like Marty would cheat, why would you think one woman would be enough for your virile Mr. Thomas?”
Rowena’s aim was true, and the venom-tipped arrow struck home. In spite of Lacey’s immediate denial, she could already feel the insidious effects of the poison infiltrating her thoughts, seeping into her heart. Hadn’t she thought that same thing herself? Hearing her mother reaffirm it made her ill, and every bit of confidence she’d gained since she’d gotten to Puerto Rico drained out of her. What would make her think she could possibly hold a man like Galen when she hadn’t even managed to keep Marty interested long enough? When Marty had cheated, she’d been horrified, furious, and embarrassed. One thing she knew for sure. If she and Galen exchanged vows and then he was unfaithful?#p#分页标题#e#