Page 75 of Tempt Me

“Oh. Uh.” I forced a smile. “I don’t think I’m going to make it to that.”

“And with whom are you hiking?”

“With a…a friend.”

“A ‘friend?’” Mother crossed her arms. “After your sister went off traveling with afriend,she got kicked out of university. But you’re not like Samantha. I wouldn’t have thought you’d sneak around like this. You’ve always been my good girl.”

She knew how to hit me right in my heart. It throbbed at the force of the accusation she’d tossed at me. “I still am, Mother. I do everything you ask. Just not today. It’s a beautiful day to be outdoors.” I waved at the sidelight, where the sun hovered a palm’s width over the horizon, still coloring the early-morning clouds pink. “And I’ve never been hiking before.”

“I asked you to attend the picnic and talk with Representative Crawford about our literacy agenda.”

“I know, Mother. But I go to social events like that all the time. I want to do something different today.”

She stared at me for a long moment, her blue eyes boring into mine. Then she glanced through the sidelight. “Speaking of different, whose car is that?”

I should’ve parked the Porsche down the street, but I was so tired coming home from work yesterday that I’d pulled it into the driveway.

“It’s a company car. For the commute to Jamilow.”

“Why do you need a company car when you have a perfectly good—”

“Mother,” I interrupted her. “I’m going to be late.”

She pursed her lips. “While I appreciate what you’re doing for Jamila, I’ll be glad when this PR nonsense is over, and you can get back to your family duties.”

Nonsense? My empty stomach curled in on itself.

“I’ll give your regards to Daniel. When you’re done with Jamila, you two should consider making it official.”

“Official?”

“Your engagement. Daniel will go far with you at his side.”

The scent of her Chanel No. 5 overpowered me. “I have to go.” I opened the door and stepped outside.

“You haven’t thanked me yet. For the photos.”

“The…photos?” A weight pressed into my belly.

“The ones taken at the beach with Jamila. I purchased the ones that showed your face.”

Holy cow. “There were photos of my face?”

“Of course there were. You’re a Jones.”

My jaw dropped. “Why didn’t you buy all of them?”

“I asked, but he wouldn’t sell them all. Either the Jamila story is too big, or someone else paid him more to release them. So, if Jamila is the friend you’re going hiking with, use discretion. I don’t think she can afford another blow-up like that.”

“Um…thank you.” My face was hotter than the barrel of my curling iron. Did Mother understand my relationship with Jamila? Including the sexy parts? No wonder she was pushing me toward Daniel.

“I wish I could have gotten them all. I’ve always liked Jamila.”

“You like her?” I held my breath. Maybe she wouldn’t be furious with me for falling for Jamila.

Who was I kidding? It was one thing to like a woman; it was something else entirely to like the idea of your daughter being with her, especially in a weird friends-slash-boss-with-benefits situation.

“Of course I like her. She’s practically another daughter to me. Jamila is driven the way I’ve always encouraged you girls to be. She reminds me of me.”

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