Foolish Games(5)

“And you shouldn’t worry about the money,” Carly said as she slid into the seat next to her. “Will is worth millions. He can certainly pay for whatever treatments Owen needs to get better.”

Something snapped inside Julianne. She didn’t want Will Connelly to pay for her son’s medical care. Owen was her baby . . . her family. After her mother’s sudden death, her father had abandoned her to a boarding school before remarrying and beginning a new life. One that didn’t include any reminders of Julianne’s late mother. Twelve years her senior, Stephen had a family of his own, leaving Julianne in a sort of purgatory between her two remaining family members. But she would always have Owen to love. And to love her back. Sharing him was not an option. Forcing the pen into her hand, she scrawled her signature on the contract.

“Well done, Carly. That was ever so much help.” Sebastian’s sarcasm shattered the awkward silence that followed the scratching of the pen on paper.

Julianne slid the contract across the table to him as Carly sat stunned, gaping at her.

“With that I think I’ll walk across the street and fetch some of that inferior tea they serve at Starbucks.” Anger and disappointment radiated off his body. He shoved the contract into his computer bag. “I’ll need some fortification before I have to call Nigel and tell him we won’t be spending our month in Tuscany this year, because your wedding gowns will now be made in China.”

Sebastian stood abruptly and Julianne could tell it was costing him to hold the rest of his comments in check, but she was grateful he did. Her body and mind felt battle weary, and she wasn’t sure how much more she could take.

“May I bring you ladies a tea?” Even furious, Sebastian was a well-mannered Brit.

Carly shook her head. She’d closed her mouth, her lips now pursed in an angry line.

“A skim latte for me, please.” Julianne’s voice shook slightly. She was a little leery at being left in the room with Carly, and she figured she’d need the caffeine after whatever was to come.

Sebastian stalked out of the room, and it was a few moments before Carly spoke. “I don’t know who you are anymore.”

Julianne leaped from the chair and began to pace the small room. “Well, a lot of things have happened to me lately. Maybe I’ve changed.”

“All these years, you’ve been pretending, then?” Carly had always been the quieter of the two women and less confrontational, but she’d found her voice today. “Since you were fourteen, you’ve been planning your career as a fashion designer. You left art school after one semester to follow that dream. Five years later, you were established as one of the youngest bridal gown designers in the business. Your gowns have been worn by rock stars and princesses. And you just give it all up?”

“I’d do anything to save my son!”

“Oh no you don’t!” Carly charged up from her chair. “This isn’t about saving your son! If the doctors are right, Will Connelly’s blood will save Owen. And he has enough money to pay the bills, too. This is about something else. I only hope it has nothing to do with Nicky.”

“It’s not about Nicky!” Julianne felt as if she’d been punched in the abdomen, her breath was so difficult to catch.

“Then tell me what it is about! Don’t shut me out anymore. Tell me why you kept this all such a secret from everyone. From me.”

Julianne spun around to face her friend. “I can’t tell you!”

“Why not?” Carly cried.

“Because if I tell you everything, you’ll hate me!” The words were out of Julianne’s mouth before she could stop them.

They stood in silence, the infernal monitors beeping in the background as the sounds of hospital personnel going about their business echoed beyond the curtained wall.

“Julianne Marchione,” Carly finally said, pulling her friend into her arms. “I could never hate you.”

They made their way to the sofa, where Carly settled Julianne’s head on her shoulder. “Start at the beginning. I’m tired of guessing at this story,” Carly said, stroking her friend’s hair.

“I’m so ashamed and afraid you’ll hate me once you hear everything,” Julianne whispered.

“I promise I won’t hate you, but I can’t help you if I don’t understand how all this happened.”

Julianne sighed. “It was at Chase Jordan’s wedding. I wanted you to come with me, remember?”

“I will hate you if you pin this on me,” Carly cautioned.

Julianne let herself relax a little. “I’d had a migraine all week, so I was taking my medicine.”