Page 111 of He's The Reason Why

“I just…”

“I have to go.” Blake hung up.

Dad always had to screw things up. Like their phone calls weren’t awkward enough, hehadto bring up Mom like she was still a part of his life. They hadn’t been a couple since Blake was eight. Dad ran out on them to make a new family with Michelle, leaving Blake caught in the middle between singing and acting, performing and pretending. Between Dad and Mom.

He glared at his reflection superimposed over all the flashing neon below. He was an adult now. He didn’t need his father’sapproval, and yet, for a second there, a knot he hadn’t known existed untied itself with those four simple words.

I’m proud of you.

It was a magic elixir.

Then, of course, Dad ruined it, just like he did everything.

Blake clenched his fists. He needed to focus on something else.

Work. Work was always an excellent distraction.

Filming was scheduled to start January 10, and two of the vital locations still hadn’t been nailed down, set design was already behind schedule, and they still hadn’t cast the female lead.

Piper had been gone less than a week, but it felt like longer. She was spending Christmas in upstate New York at Belhurst Castle with her sisters. It sounded cozy, like a TV Christmas special, but for some reason, the thought of her cuddling on a sofa in front of a warm fire without him his heart ache.

He’d never done the whole big family Christmas thing. Since his mother wasn’t interested in connecting with her ex-husband’s new family, the two of them usually traveled somewhere together for the holidays.

This year, they were in Vegas because he had last-minute details to deal with and his mother was between shoots.

The Bellagio had done an outstanding job decorating the suite. There was a huge tree by the fireplace, poinsettias everywhere, and twinkle lights on the balcony. It was over-the-top luxurious, but somehow still managed to feel a little cold. Las Vegas was fun at first, but the constant light and noise got old after a while.

They should have gone to upstate New York. He pictured snow falling on an old inn, and Piper smiling at him from the doorway. He rubbed his forehead. He’d only known her a few months. How could he miss her so much?

This distraction wasn’t working at all.

“A dollar for your thoughts?” his mother asked behind him.

He hadn’t heard her come out of her room. “It’s a penny, isn’t it?”

“Inflation, dear.”

His mother carried a glass of wine and her laptop to the loveseat where the concierge had set up a plate of assorted finger foods and a bottle of champagne. She’d changed into bright-red loungewear with a tiny Christmas tree on the pocket, and she’d tied her long, dark-blonde hair into a messy bun on top of her head. Her reading glasses were perched just over her forehead, and there was a smudge of something dark on her lip.

She was a little shorter than he was, but she always seemed taller. Frances Fisher could command a room of military men while nurturing a forest of wounded animals. She was tough when she had to be, kind when possible, and fair always. Actors fought to get roles in her movies.

Every Christmas memory he had was wrapped up in red pajamas and sitting on the sofa in front of the fire in his hotel room. Christmas was wherever Mom was.

Usually.

Tonight, it felt like Christmas was a million miles away in upstate New York.

Mom took a sip of wine and licked her lips. The dark smudge shifted a little.

He smiled at her. “You have chocolate all over your face.”

“I was saving it for later.” She rubbed at the spot until it vanished. “What’s on your mind? You seem distracted.”

“Nothing. Work.”

“I thought I heard you talking to someone.”

“It wasn’t important.”

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