Page 49 of Play to Win

We stare at each other.

Uh ...“Hi?”I offer.I’m acutely aware that I am wearing only a tiny red bikini.

She tilts her head and the way she does it reminds me of Théo.She’s lovely ...glossy, layered dark hair brushes her shoulders.She reminds me of Tina Fey.Except when she speaks she has a French accent.“Hello.I’m sorry.I didn’t know Théo had someone staying with him.”

She says Théo’s name differently—Tay-oh.Not Thee-oh, like everyone else has been saying.Even he himself pronounced it Thee-oh.

“You’re Aline, aren’t you.”

Her eyes widen.“Yes.Aline Gagnon.”

Her French pronunciation of her name delights me and I smile.

“And you are ...?”

“Oh!I’m Lacey.Lacey Olson.”I pause, thinking about whether I should call myself Lacey Wynn.But we haven’t had time to think about that, even if our marriage was real, and besides ...Théo’s mom’s name isn’t Wynn.Curious.“I’m, uh ...”

Aline presses her fingers to her mouth and takes a step forward.“Are you Théo’s girlfriend?”

“Weeeell.”This isn’t how I imagined meeting his mom, but might as well do this.“I’m his wife.”

Aline gasps.

“I’m sorry.”Now I move toward her, my hands out, wishing I had on more clothes.“I know this is a shock.This isn’t how we wanted to tell you.”

She blinks rapidly, her lips parted.“His wife.You’re ...married?”She takes in a shaky breath.“He didn’t tell us ...”

“I know.I’m sorry.But it happened really fast, sort of a last-minute decision because he was leaving Las Vegas and?—”

“Oh.”She covers her mouth and nose with both hands now, her eyes shiny.“Mon dieu, mon fils est marié!”

I have no idea what she just said, but she’s about to cry and I don’t know if she’s happy or distraught.“We were going to tell you, uh, this weekend when we see you.I’m really sorry!Are you okay?”

“No, I’m not okay!My son got married to a woman I don’t even know, without even telling us.”She pauses.“I’m sorry.I’m sure you’re a lovely person.You are beautiful.”She studies me, her expression still pained.“I’m just shocked.And ...and hurt.And disappointed.”Her eyes tear up again.“I missed my son’s wedding.”

I nibble my bottom lip.“You didn’t miss much.It was very quick.But it was all we needed,” I add hastily.

She swipes fingertips beneath her eyes and takes a breath.“I apologize for becoming so emotional.”

“No, it’s fine!I totally understand.”Jesus.This isn’t good.Théo’s mom hates me.As if they don’t have enough tension in their family, now I’ve added to it.I clasp and twist my hands together.I’ve caused Théo more problems than I’m helping him with.He’sgoing to hate me too.

Oh shit, nowI’mtearing up.My bottom lip quivers.

“Oh, don’t you cry too!I’m sorry!”Aline flies toward me, arms outstretched.“Please.”

She wraps me up in an unexpected hug.Momentarily I stiffen, then cautiously hug her back.“You are my belle-fille.” She draws back and smiles.“That is daughter-in-law.Translated literally, it is beautiful girl, or beautiful daughter.And that is what you are.”

I suck in a shaky breath.Okay, maybe she doesn’t hate me.

“I’m so happy for Théo that he has found someone.Someone to love.He can be difficult to love.”

“I don’t think so,” I reply honestly.I mean, I’m not in love with him, but he’s notthatbad.

She beams.

“Hecanbe a little rigid and picky, but?—”

Aline laughs.“You do know him.”She releases me and steps back.“I brought some food for dinner.I didn’t know you were here, obviously.”She goes back to the door and picks up a couple of shopping bags.“It’s just a few things.”

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