Jillian turned to see a middle-aged, exotic-looking woman in a designer outfit glide gracefully toward them.If she’d met her without Lex, Jillian would never have guessed she was old enough to be his mother.Her thick, black luxurious hair had not a single gray strand, her skin had a natural tan, and she was in great shape.From her coral pantsuit to her shoes, she had exquisite taste in everything designer.But her twinkling gray eyes said she was a woman who openly showered her children with love and didn’t care who knew it.
“You’ve done it in the past, you impossible boy.”She stopped in front of them and turned her attention to Jillian.“He’d insisted he wouldn’t be available until a few days ago.I believe it’s you I need to thank for making him stay.I’m Estelle Valdez-Fitzgerald,” she added, giving Jillian her hand.
“Jillian Finnegan.Nice to meet you, Mrs.Fitzgerald.”
Jillian expected the usual scrutiny she often got from people in her business—a glance that catalogued the value of a dress and accessories.She was guilty of doing it, too.Her dress might pass scrutiny.She’d lucked out yesterday after scouring boutiques owned by not-yet-famous designers with a few Fashion Week shows under their belts.Her red-soled shoes might be high-end, but they were two years old.
Mrs.Fitzgerald’s eyes only left Jillian’s face long enough to glance at their clasped hands and her handshake was warm.
“I’m happy you could make it too, Jillian.Mingle and enjoy yourself, but promise we will talk before you leave.I’d like to know how you got to know my reclusive son and why I’ve never heard about you.”
“We’ll be leaving soon, Mom,” Lex said before Jillian could respond.
Estelle harrumphed.“No, you won’t.I want a chance to sit down and get to know this young lady.”
“You will.”Lex leaned down and pressed a kiss on his mother’s cheek.“Just not tonight.”
“Tomorrow?”
“We already have plans for tomorrow.”Lex glanced down at Jillian and added, “We’ll discuss it and find the perfect time for Jillian to visit.”
Jillian nodded, but inside she was panicking.Things were moving too fast.“I’ll check my schedule.We might be filming in Vancouver next week.”Mrs.Fitzgerald frowned, not bothering to mask her disappointment.Jillian quickly added, “But I’ll make sure we get to talk, Mrs.Fitzgerald.Maybe I’ll learn a thing or two about Lex.He’s been rather mysterious about his past.”
Lex’s mother laughed.“Oh, I like her, Lex.Come find me, dear.”She patted Jillian’s hand, then kissed Lex’s cheek and whispered something before waving and walking away.
“My past?”
“I had to say something.She looked so disappointed.Why don’t you want me to talk to her?”
Instead of answering her, Lex led Jillian back toward the foyer.This time, she was all too aware of the stares and the whispers.Lex appeared oblivious.He pushed open a door that led to a pristine kitchen with two range ovens and a large rectangular table along with several side counters and an island.It was empty.She wondered who cooked for them.Mrs.Fitzgerald didn’t look like the cooking type.
They went down another hallway, turned a corner, and entered a den or maybe a home office.Lex closed the door.
“Alone at last,” he said, a devilish grin curling his lips.
Jillian pretended not to hear him and tried to focus on the room, which was also paneled—wall, ceiling, and floor—with wood of the same golden color as the leather sofas.As always, her eyes kept going to Lex.He shrugged off his jacket and threw it on the arm of the sofa.Muscles shifted underneath the thin fabric.He had endless broad shoulders, masculine arms, and powerful thighs his tailored trousers couldn’t hide.
He caught her eyes on him, and she said the first thing that popped in her head.“About your mother?”
“Sit, please.”He tilted his head to indicate the sofa, sat, and leaned back, his eyes on her.“You’re worried over nothing,” he added, patting the seat.“I won’t let her grill you tonight.”
Jillian sat on the edge of the sofa, too nervous to really relax.She gripped her clutch and plucked at the fabric.It was time to sign the contract, the point of no return, and she was a hot mess.It was the only way to help her family.Or so she kept telling herself.
“My mother’s one of the smartest women I know,” Lex said.“She’ll want to know where we met and how long we’ve known each other, and she’ll detect a lie before it leaves your lips.”
“You make her sound like a terrible person.”
“She’s not terrible.She’s loving and selfless, but she’s also very shrewd.Stick to the truth as close as possible when you talk to her.Whatever you say, I’ll back you.”
Lex draped his arm along the back of the sofa, and Jillian was happy she hadn’t leaned against the sofa.All that masculine energy was too much at close quarters.Taking a deep breath, she cast away her insecurities, glanced at him, and found him studying her.“So why did you tell her we’d be leaving soon?”
He tilted closer, grinning.“We just did.We’re no longer in the wing where they’re holding the party.They can’t hear us, and we can’t hear them.But if you want to go back, just say the word.”
She couldn’t lie just to run away from his tempting presence.“Not yet.I do hope to see Chris tonight.He and Greg are not too pleased with my decision.Chris is also my uncle,” she explained.
Lex’s expression became serious.“And their approval is vital to our agreement?”
“Not really.Actually, I prefer if few people know the terms of our agreement.”Her voice rose in agitation.Even though she was agreeing to this, she wasn’t sure she could pull it off.The uncertainty scared her.Then there was Greg’s reaction.“Greg didn’t approve after he read it.He didn’t want to, uh, how had he put it?Enable me.But I’m happy with the wording.”
