Page 79 of Inviting Trouble
“I do,” Josh said. “Beauty queen, nose in the air, thinks she’s better than the commoners she’s forced to live with.”
“I want you to hear her out,” her dad said. “Alex coming?”
Josh spoke in a flat tone. “He doesn’t want Viv to meet her grandmother. Felt it would be confusing to her if she’s not going to stick around. Is she sticking around?”
“I hope so,” her dad said.
Josh shot Mad a look that she understood perfectly.You believe this?
Lucky for Jake he was missing all the drama, off on his honeymoon. Ty out in California would miss it too. She doubted Tina would stick around long enough to see them.
Tina walked downstairs, all grace and poise. “Hello.”
“Hi,” Logan said, watching her curiously.
Josh and Mad were silent.
“This is everyone,” her dad said.
Tina nodded. “I understand.” She stopped in the living room, where all of them were standing. Her blond hair was perfectly styled in waves to her shoulders. She wore a silk white blouse with a black pencil skirt and black heels. Completely overdressed and overly made up for a family meeting. But what could you expect? She’d probably never been to a family meeting. “So I want to start with saying how very sorry I am. I stayed away, ashamed to face all of you. I don’t deserve forgiveness. I reconnected with your dad and he encouraged me to talk to you.”
Mad, Josh, and Logan stared at her, silent. There was nothing to say. She was right. She didn’t deserve forgiveness.
Tina turned to Josh first. “Hello, Josh. It’s nice to see you again.”
Josh said nothing.
“I understand Jake is skiing in the Swiss Alps,” Tina said. “I’ve been. It’s lovely.”
Josh remained impassive, his expression giving nothing away.
Tina turned to Logan. “You’re so tall. The spitting image of your grandfather at this age.”
“Do you know how old I am?” Logan asked, no real rancor in his voice. Only curiosity. He studied her face like he was trying to memorize it or maybe remember it.
“Of course,” Tina said smoothly. “You’re twenty-nine. A mother never forgets the day she gave birth.”
“You sure forgot a helluva lot in between,” Josh said.
“Yeah,” Mad said, piling on. “I didn’t see any birthday cards coming in the mail.”
“Or phone calls,” Josh said.
“Or visits,” Mad finished.
“I’m sorry,” Tina said. “I had severe postpartum depression after I had Madison. I longed for escape. And when I got word that a former acquaintance was single, I jumped at the chance for the wealthy lifestyle he offered. I’m not proud of myself. I understand if you never want to forgive me.”
They were all quiet.
“Why are you here now?” Josh asked.
She folded her hands in front of her. “I realized I still love your dad. And my children, that love never goes away, though I don’t expect you to feel the same way.”
“And where is this wealthy acquaintance of yours?” Josh asked, his lip curling. “Dump you for a younger model?”
Tina flushed red and smoothed her hair back. “Things just didn’t work out with him.”
“I bet,” Mad put in.
