Page 15 of Nothing Breaks Like A Heart

"I wasn't going to," she said quickly.

I wasn't sure I believed her, but I let it go, and when a knock came at our door, Harper got up to answer it.

The woman she let in was the last person I'd expected to see. I jumped to my feet as Paula Carrington walked into the room. In her early sixties, Paula was bone-thin with very fair skin that had aged from her long love affair with tanning. Her white-blonde hair was styled in a short, angled cut, with straight silky strands framing her face and accenting her brown eyes. Paula had been a model in her twenties and still carried herself like someone who was used to a catwalk and a lot of attention.

"I hope I'm not disturbing you," Paula said as we all stood somewhat awkwardly in the living room.

"Of course not. It's lovely to see you," I replied. "I really appreciate you coming to the wedding."

"I wouldn't have missed it for the world. This wedding and marketing campaign have consumed my husband's thoughts over the past several weeks. I've never seen him so invested in the grand opening of our resorts. But he became quite captivated with your fairy-tale love story."

"It doesn't feel like a story to me," I couldn't help saying. "It's very real."

"Oh, of course, I understand. People outside of a relationship always see it differently than those inside it."

There was a tension in her voice now that suggested she was not talking about my relationship but probably her own. "Is there anything I can help you with?" I asked.

"I wanted to speak to you for a moment…privately." Her gaze moved to Harper and Jamie.

"Of course," Harper said quickly. "We're going to go in the other room, and…do something."

As they quickly vanished, I felt a little nervous being alone with Paula. I couldn't imagine what she wanted to talk to me about, since the two of us had never had a personal conversation. And I'd probably only been in the same room with her twice before.

"I understand your mother passed away not too long ago," Paula said, surprising me with her words.

"Yes, she did. It's been about a year and a half, and I still miss her every day."

"I lost my mother when I was in my thirties, so I understand a little of what you're going through. But I had Victor's support when she passed. We were already married and had a baby, so I wasn't alone as you were. This day must be especially difficult for you."

"I've been trying not to think about it too much, but then I feel guilty."

"Why?" she asked curiously.

"Because I shouldn't be trying to keep her out of my thoughts. It's the only way she can be here with me, and we used to talk about me getting married. When she was sick, she worried about me being alone and finding the right person. I just wish she could see that I have."

"Maybe she can. I still like to believe my mother and father are watching over me."

"I like to believe that, too." I felt an unexpected bond with Paula.

"Did I hear that your mother worked in hotels as well?"

"Yes. She was at Hilton and then the Meridian for many years."

"You followed in her footsteps."

"She didn't want me to go into this industry. She worked the front desk and a lot of nights, a lot of weekends, but I grew up in hotels and I feel very comfortable in them."

"Well, from what I hear, we are lucky to have you. This whole marketing campaign was your idea, right?"

"The idea was mine originally, but at the time, I did not imagine that there would be a real wedding or that I would be the bride. I feel very lucky and grateful for everything your family and the company are doing for me. And I love this new resort. It's a beautiful property, truly special."

"That's certainly what Victor seems to think. He'd like to make this island our primary residence, but it feels too small to me."

A somewhat awkward silence followed her words. Finally, I said, "Is there anything I can do for you?"

"It's actually the opposite—what I can do for you." Paula opened her very expensive handbag. She took out a velvet box and handed it to me.

"What's this?"

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