Page 99 of Hearts Aweigh
Spencer walked to the front door. Maddie, blue eyes rounded in awe and adoration, scampered from her chair and met her mother at the bottom step.
Priscilla bent and smoothed the hair that exactly matched her own, followed by a quick air kiss. “You look très chic, Madeleine.” She rose. “Are you ready to eat dinner with Mommy and Daddy?”
Maddie nodded.
Priscilla took her by the hand, and they joined Spencer in the entryway.
He directed his attention to Maddie. Rubbing his daughter’s bare arm, he asked, “Are you warm enough?”
“Oh, here.” Abby grabbed a sweater from the chair and passed it to him. “The air-conditioning does get cold in the dining areas.”
“Thank you.”
“Yes.” Priscilla leaned closer to him. “You do your job well.”
In high heels, the statuesque woman matched his height. The stunning ex-wife towered over Abby in more ways than one. An undeniable air of money and social standing pressed down on her. Priscilla’s very existence highlighted Abby’s inadequacies.
The woman bestowed a gracious, impersonal smile—the kind used when tipping a hotel valet. “Thank you for making our daughter look presentable.”
Our daughter.
The words rankled Abby. Shamed her. Suddenly, the memory of the kiss she’d shared with Spencer in Cozumel pierced her in a new and altogether unpleasant way—like she was a home-wrecker worming her way in between a loving couple.
Priscilla slipped her long-fingered hand around the crook of Spencer’s arm. It raised and tightened, as if it was used to the intimacy. He glared at her. There was no other word for it. Hardly a loving look, but he didn’t remove her hand.
Spencer gave Abby a nod. “I’ll watch Madeleine. Take the rest of the night off, Ms. O’Brien.”
Ms. O’Brien.
Her own name had never sounded so cold. She managed a facsimile of her best boarding day smile—warm, wide-eyed, welcoming. But totally fake.
“Yes, sir. Enjoy your evening.”
Her smile remained in place long after the family left, as if she were trying to convince herself she was completely fine. Sheput away the markers and paper, then grabbed her blue bag filled with games and toys, and left the suite.
Still with a smile on her face.
The elevator dinged as she approached, and the polished gold doors slid open. Emily and Daisy exited the car. They waved at Abby.
“We were coming to see you,” Emily said. “How did your morning walk with Dr. Grant go?”
“It was wonderful.” Abby cringed on the inside. She hated misleading these lovable ladies. “He’s perfect.” Her smiled slipped an inch. “Handsome, considerate.” Her voice wobbled. “I couldn’t ask for more.”
Emily’s sharp gaze took her in. “Are you tired, dear?”
“Mmm-hmm.” Abby didn’t trust herself to finish a full sentence.
Daisy spoke in a gentle drawl. “I imagine you’ve had a complicated afternoon. We witnessed the arrival of my ex-daughter-in-law today. Are she and Spencer in his suite?”
“No.” Abby gulped. “They went to dinner with Maddie.”
“I was hoping to speak with my son, but perhaps it would be better to wait. He’ll be quite distracted. Priscilla was always a force to be reckoned with.”
Abby’s laughter sounded weak to her own ears. “Yes, I doubt anyone could deny her.”
Emily studied Abby. “What type of person is she?”
Abby hated the question. Why not ask her to make a list of all the qualities she herself lacked?
