Page 41 of Waiting For A Girl Like You
“Yes, we did meet, but that was a lifetime ago,” Vivian said, her approving gaze lingering on Evie before pivoting back to Josie. “Your boy looks likehim, but thank God, I see Miranda in there too.”
A new voice cut in, flat and utterly unimpressed with their guest. “Hello, Vivian.”
Jamison tensed at her father’s brusque greeting. He stood off in the shadows of the foyer, arms crossed and shoulder propped against the wall.
Ever so slowly, Vivian turned to face him. When their gazes connected, she raised her chin defiantly, an exhale of disappointment crossing her lips.
“Hello, Benjamin. Not dead yet, I see.”
“Afraid not.”
“Pity.”
Jamison’s eyes went round, but her father remained unfazed. “Why are you here, Vivian?” he asked.
“Why areyouhere, Benjamin? Shouldn’t you be in Texas? Or holed up in one of your countless other offices?” Vivian sounded amused, as if she were toying with him. “Oh, wait. That’s right. Fairweather Holdings has closed their offices for a… what was that bullshit lie you put out there? A fire and safety inspection?”
“Whatever the reasons are for closingmycompany’s offices aremyreasons,” he replied smoothly. “And has nothing to do with the McIntyres.”
“It does when you’re holding one hostage.”
“No one is holding Rowan hostage.”
Vivian smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes, and Jamison felt the pressure shift in the room. Beside her, Annabeth sensed it too and had gone rigid, eyes locked on the floor. Instinctively, Jamison eased them both back, not wanting to be caught in this woman’s crosshairs.
But shiny, beautiful things were Jamison’s downfall, and the broach securing the silk scarf draped across Vivian’s shoulder caught the light in just the right way and had her speaking without her brain first alerting her that might not be the best idea. “That’s a lovely ruby broach.”
Yep. A mistake. A total and utter mistake. Vivian’s attention zeroed in like a sniper sighting her next shot, and Jamison braced for snarky comments. She’d gone up against worse, but this woman looked like she knew how to make every hit count.
“I’ve seen your picture many times, Ms. Fairweather, but I have to say, it doesn’t do you justice. You’re unique in your beauty, just like your mother,” Vivian said, giving Jamison a thorough inspection. “However, like your brother, you’ve got that dark edge. A true Fairweather down to the bone.”
Jamison had no idea if the observation was meant to be a compliment. “Thank you?”
And then the McIntyre chaos arrived.
The second older woman came marching in, the squawking parrot on her shoulder flapping its wings. She wore an oversized buttoned-up Hawaiian print shirt and hot pink leggings. Her long gray hair hung past her shoulders in braided pigtails with streaks of purple at their tips.
“Oh my God,” Simone hissed when the parrot screamed. “We have cats.”
This was it. Jamison was so sure this would be the moment Simone lost her ever-loving shit. It was a long time coming, and she was thankful that she wasn’t to blame.
“Monty eats cats,” the woman replied cheerfully to Simone before heading straight toward the corner. “Hey,motherfucker.”
Jamison’s soul briefly left her body. She was fairly certain no one in recorded history had ever called Benjamin Fairweather amotherfuckerto his face. Her dad was tough, never taking crap from anyone.
And yet, here he stood—utterly unmoved. “That joke is getting old, Bianca.”
“Not to me.” The bird’s screeching reached a deafening level, and Bianca cooed at the thing. “Now, where is she?”
“Where’s who?” Josie asked warily.
“No. No, no, and no.” Rowan bounded through the front door with the two younger women right behind him. “This is not okay.”
Seeing the other new arrivals up close, Jamison could easily tell they were Vivian’s daughters. The two women shared the same delicate bone structure along with the same high cheekbones, full lips, and flawless skin as their mother.
But that’s where the similarities ended. They were much more casual than their mother, decked out in leggings and college sweatshirts. Both had dark chestnut hair and dark eyes to match, a total contrast to Vivian.
“What’s not okay is you avoiding our calls for two weeks,” Vivian shot back. “Your mother is worried sick, and you’re lucky I didn’t bring your sister.”
