Page 3 of Between the Lines

“I think we do,” Don said. And who the hell had asked him?

“Luca, honey, I know you’re not happy about our decision to sell—”

“Nope.” He flashed a hard look at Don. “It’s a crappy idea.”

Don cleared his throat, but Jude gestured for him to keep quiet. “I thought you might feel better about it if you knew more about the proposal: what Lux Properties are suggesting they could do with the site, how it would benefit New Milton.”

Luca stared at her, uncomprehending. Why the hell would he care about any of that? “They’re going to tear the Majestic down,” he said, struggling to keep his voice calm. “What more is there to know?”

Jude’s lips thinned. “Nothing’s decided yet, Luca.”

He paused in his eating. “It’s not?”

“No. In fact, we have someone from the company coming to talk to us this afternoon, and I’d appreciate your input. I—” A glance at Don. “Wewant to do what’s best for New Milton, as well as what’s best for us, as a family.”

“Not tearing down the hotel would be best,” Luca said, and went back to his lasagna so he didn’t have to look at either of them.

Don said, “Now, Luca, that’s not true—”

“How would you know?”

“Luca.” Jude sounded weary. “Please don’t.”

Shame, uglied by resentment, tightened a knot in the pit of his stomach. “I only meant he doesn’t love New Milton like we do. He hasn’t lived here long.”

“He’s lived here for the past five years, Luca, helping me run the place. Don gave up his career.” She didn’t need to add,after you left town. “We want to do what’s best when we sell—for everyone, including you. You’ll get a share of the sale, Luca, and I want you to be part of the decision.”

“I don’t—” He closed his eyes, took a breath.I don’t want a share of the sale. I don’t want to be part of the decision. I don’t want any of this.“You already know what I think.”

Don set his fork down with a clatter. “If you knew—”

“Don, don’t.”

“No, Jude, it has to be said. Luca, your mother and I can’t run this place anymore. She’s not well and she can’t manage.”

Luca’s gaze shot up, fixing on Jude. “Mom?”

“I’m fine.” She glared at Don. “I’m finding it more tiring than I used to, that’s all. I’m getting older, Luca, and this is a big hotel for the two of us to manage alone.”

“Alone? What about Eddie, and Mrs. Kausar—?”

“We have four rooms occupied,” Don said. “In July. We can’t afford to hire anyone this season, Luca, and if you won’t come back—”

“Ican’t.” He held Don’s stare beat for beat. “You know why.”

Silence.Thiswas the real elephant in the room, the great fucking Don-shaped shadow looming over everything.

“Luca, please.” Jude touched his hand, her fingers thin, bonier than he remembered. “I want you to be part of this. Theodore’s coming all the way from New York to talk to us today, and I’d love you to be there with me.”

Luca lifted an eyebrow at the name. “Theodore?”

“Theodore Wishart.” She shared a pleased smile with Don. “His father owns Lux Properties. We’re getting first-class treatment.”

“Theodore Wishart? That’s his name, for real?”

Jude laughed, the bright amused chuckle he remembered from the days before Don. “I think he’s British or something.”

“And he’s coming here to talk you into selling the Majestic?”

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