Just a Little White Lie(42)
The look Jake sent her begged her to catch this ride with him. To go along with what he was saying.
She did. “I visited him there, Donald, so he and I could discuss it, one-on-one.”
“Did your father know?” Donald demanded.
She was unsure how to answer and looked across at Jake, who apparently figured he’d pushed things about as far as he could
“You know what?” he said. “This is a family dinner. Not really the time or place for this discussion.” He pointed to his mother and grandmother. “We’ll pick it up later.”
“I disagree,” Donald said. “I think—”
“No. Jake’s right,” Lucinda said. “Not here. Not now.” She started to pick up her drink, set it back down. “Oh no.” She raised a hand over her eyes.
“Luce?” Jake’s brows furrowed. “What’s wrong?”
“Incoming behind you.”
He glanced over his shoulder. “Oh, shit!”
“Jake! Language!”
He rolled his eyes. “Sorry, Mom.” Eyes sharp as glass whipped to his dad’s. “You arrange this too?”
“I thought it would be nice. You and Wanda Sue—”
“Are the past, Dad. Over and done.”
Lucinda felt Donald’s eyes on her. He was studying the hand she’d laid in her lap. Her left hand. The one that still wore his ring. She slipped her hand farther under her napkin and met his eyes defiantly.
His lips quirked but he said nothing.
Not yet, anyway. When would he? And what would he say? Her gaze drifted to Grandma Hattie. If Donald blew this, would Hattie handle it okay? Would her heart hold up if he caused a scene? A bigger one than he had already?
The uncertainty in the older woman’s eyes pinched Lucinda’s heart. And his mother was taking it all in, trying to add up the pieces.
Now Jake’s dad had stirred Wanda Sue into the stew pot.
The most tense board meeting she’d ever attended had never come even close to this for fraying her nerves.
Wanda Sue, a shy smile on her face, closed the distance to their table.
“Hey, sweetheart,” Howie barked. “Got a seat for you right here between Jake and me.” He slid over a chair, looked at the others around the table. “Wanda Sue’s always been a part of our family get-togethers. Can’t see why that should change just ’cause you decided to step away for a bit.”
“Step away?” Jake parroted.
“I think you need to keep your options open, son. That’s all.”
Trudy stood. “Howie, why don’t we check out the new flower garden they’ve added in the back?”
“No, thanks.”
“Howie—”
His scotch halfway to his lips, he said, “Trudy, you’re upset. I can see that. But I absolutely refuse to duck outside to fight with you.”
Several people at the next table turned to them. Trudy scowled and sank back into her chair. The eavesdroppers quickly went back to their own dinners and conversation. If looks could kill…
Wanda Sue replaced the napkin she’d picked up. “Maybe it would be better if I left.”
“Absolutely not.” Howie put his hand over hers. “You stay put.”
Lucinda needed time to clear her head.
She pushed back her chair, and stood up. “If you’ll all excuse me for a moment, I need to freshen up.”
Without waiting for anyone’s reaction, she headed to the ladies’ room. The door had barely closed behind her when it opened again.
Wanda Sue.
Lucinda’s stomach plummeted. She so hated confrontations in her personal life. In the boardroom, they were part of doing business. But they didn’t belong here, in the bathroom of a country club.
“Do you love him?”
Lucinda raised her gaze. Met Wanda Sue’s in the mirror over the outrageously ornate sink. “Excuse me?” The question left her shaken. Love Jake? Did she?
She fumbled in her purse, then leaned into the mirror to repair her lipstick. Her stomach was in knots, and a new wave of guilt washed over her. She wasn’t used to this subterfuge, wasn’t used to pretending.
Maybe she should just confess. Explain the whole situation to Wanda Sue. After all, if she really was in love with Jake— Her golden eyes met Wanda Sue’s baby-blues in the mirror again. They were ice-cold.
“Jake’s mine. He always has been and always will be. It’s time for you to leave Pride, Ms. Lucinda Darling. All your money, all your fame won’t help you here. In fact, it’ll work against you. The paparazzi are hunting high and low for the Darling heiress. The runaway bride. One phone call and the jig is up. They’ll swarm over this town like maggots on roadkill.”