Page 85 of Love In The Spotlight

She let out a laugh. Not a funny sound either. “My mother has a history of planting seeds to get her way.” She told him how her mother tricked West into a vacation by setting up a fake fight with Talia.

“That’s pretty sneaky,” he said. “I don’t know that my parents have ever cared enough to try to give me a positive nudge.”

“Hmm,” she said. “I’ve never thought of it that way. That she does it because she cares. We all know she cares. But she is sneaky.” She told him about the conversation she had with her mother yesterday. “I wasn’t keeping you from her. I know she can talk circles around Nelson. That is how he spills things. But she brought up the possibility of your intentions and then said never mind.”

“She did it to make you want to know,” he said. “So it was your decision.”

“She’s good that way. I should have realized it when she ended the conversation about wanting to meet you to apologize about a fight.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t catch on by the sounds of it.”

“I was too worked up,” she said. “If you’ve got time, do you want to meet her and watch me win?”

He laughed. “Meet her how?”

“Video call,” she said.

“Sure,” he said. “But are you so sure you’re going to win?”

“Probably not,” she said.

She moved over and got her computer, sent her mother a quick text to see if she was up to talk and made the call.

“You’re easier than your brother,” her mother said when she answered the call. “I didn’t think I’d get to meet Jamie this quickly. I only thought that you’d tell him about Alex to clear the air and not worry if it came up later.”

Her shoulders sagged. Her mother won on two levels.

“Don’t tell Jamie I’m easy. He might think poorly of me,” she said. “Mom, this is Jameson Wilde, but he goes by Jamie. You know that, I’m sure. Jamie, my sneaky mother, Aileen Carlisle.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Carlisle.”

“He has manners,” her mother said. “No one told me that.”

She elbowed Jamie. “Don’t suck up to her. She just caused us to fight.”

“Clear the air,” he said. “I like the sounds of that better.”

“Call me Aileen,” her mother said. “Everyone else does. I’m thrilled to meet you. Laken, she’s a stubborn one and needs to relax some in life. I hope you’re able to help her there.”

“Mom, Jamie is the last person you need to whine to about me working too hard. He works a lot too. He could be living comfortably for years to come and yet he’s starting a business.”

“You’d never be with anyone that didn’t work almost as hard as you,” her mother said. “It’s a trait you like. But don’t burn yourself out.”

“I’m trying not to,” she said. “Now that you met Jamie, I can hang up. You got your work done just like you planned.”

“Parents are good that way,” her mother said. “Hope to meet you in person before West’s wedding, Jamie. Bye.”

The call disconnected then. “Don’t be mad at your mother,” he said.

“I’m more annoyed,” she said. “I know she means well.”

“She cares,” he said. “I want Penelope to know that. No matter what mistakes I make in life, I want her to know I care enough to put her first. I can live with the rest.”

“She’s going to know,” Laken said softly.

27

WHAT THE FUTURE HELD

---