Page 61 of Lush

I paused, considering interrupting my parents.

You have to talk to them at some point.

I opened the doors and went in.

Mama and Daddy sat at the dining table; Daddy’s expression was sharp, focused.

When Daddy married Mama over thirty years ago, he did something rare. He tookherlast name. Daddy came from the prominent Callaway family. They made a killing in the export business in Miami. He was the younger son; it was hard to think he’d been wild like Gigi, till he met Mama.

Mama never asked him to take her name. She would’ve married him regardless.

Grandpa Ben made one thing clear: if he wanted to be part of the King family, he had to do more than marry into it. He had tobecomeit.

So, he became a King. But I sometimes think it’s for the worse.

“Where should we place the Chen family?”

“Grace proved herself in that litigation she handled. Saved us millions.” Daddy flipped through a stack of cards. “Don’t want to lose her by sitting her near the Warricks. Andrew drinks.”

“Hmm, right, and if they talk politics all hell will break loose,” she agreed. “We’ll put Andrew with the Johnsons. Robert likes to party, so that should keep things lively. And Lian?—”

“She should sit with Serena,” I said, cutting in.

Their heads turned toward me, Mama’s gaze sharp.

“Grace’s daughter is an amazing investor,” I continued. “Serena can introduce her to the Martinezes. They’ll respect Lian’s credentials, and the Martinezes are already warming to us after Serena’s last project.”

Mama leaned back, her fingers steepled under her chin. “Interesting.”

“Good evening, sweetheart.” Daddy broke into a warm smile. “Going for a jog?”

“Something like that.” I fixed my hoodie and took a seat. The dining table was covered in organized chaos—photos of guests, seating charts, and Mama’s tidy but aggressive handwriting. “We’re still discussing the guest list? We only have a few weeks till the wedding.”

“Laurene,” Mama said, “if you’re going to contribute to this discussion, make it meaningful. Otherwise, go on about your business.”

I tried to remind myself that she didn’t choose this. It was forced upon her. Taking over the company wasn’t her first choice, but it was necessary. But if that was true, why did it feel like she never fought to hold on to the woman she was before?

“Lulu’s right about Lian, Yvonne.” Dad’s nod felt more like consolation than approval.

“But the woman wears stripes and dots.”

“I didn’t know my wedding was a fashion show,” I muttered, picking up one of the pictures and shifting it toward the edge of the table. “What about the Andersons?”

“The Andersons? Really?” Mama rolled her eyes. “We need firepower against Dante.”

Power. Influence. Money.

I missed her. God, I missed her. It was annoying that all I saw of her now was the one who put me down with a look, who treated me like a pawn in her game. I wanted to ask her if she remembered what it felt like to love without conditions. But I knew the answer already. She didn’t.

My grip tightened as I moved another photo. Mama slapped my hand.

“Really?” I snapped. “Was that necessary?”

She gently put the photos back where they belonged. I felt a surge of anger when a staff member came in with a tray of martinis and biscotti. “You see I’m working here.”

I told myself that underneath all the layers of ice and steel,she’s still there. The mother who used to braid my hair. The mother who used to bring me my favorite chocolates after a long day. The mother who once loved without rules or restrictions.

“I’m the one getting married. I should have a say.”

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