Page 52 of One Touch

I took one step forward. “Don’t go.”

Kate lifted her chin. “I’m leaving. We can talk tomorrow.” She looked past me. “Good night, Mrs. Miller.”

Ever ready with the polite facade, my mother smiled brightly. “Good night, dear. Lovely to see you.”

Kate sneaked one last look at me and hurried toward the front entrance, then slipped out the front door. My chest ached at the sight of her leaving, and it pissed me off.

My mother cleared her throat. “I’ll give you the same advice I gave Declan.”

I turned to look at her.

“Just don’t get her pregnant. Lord knows you don’t need to be tied to a woman like her the rest of your life.”

My molars ground together. “A woman like her?”

Mom rolled her eyes, and she swatted at the air. “Oh, you know what I mean. Below our station. Stop being so dramatic.”

You know she will never change. It’s not even worth trying.

I sucked in a breath and changed the subject as I stalked over to the discarded picnic Kate and I had been sharing. I scooped up the tray and dumped the contents into the trash. “I’m staying here until the renovation is done. Can the move wait until then?”

Mom looked around the open living room and faced the large bank of windows overlooking the lake. She sighed. “I suppose ...”

My shoulders relaxed. “Thank you.”

“If,” she continued, and nerves roiled in my stomach, “you promise to bring Kate to Thanksgiving. Della’s is catering again, and the whole extended family will be there.Lakeshore Livingmagazine is doing a spread on our family and the holiday, so it’ll be decorated for Christmas, but you know how those things go. I need you there. Declan insists on bringing his flavor of the month. Kate’s presence will ensure an even number. Plus, she’s a good girl. Quiet. Does as she’s told.” My mother looked up at me. “Agree, and this place is yours until you’re done playing house in this godforsaken town.”

My stomach dropped. There was no way Kate would ever agree to yet another Miller family holiday,especiallysince “the whole family” would inevitably include my pain-in-the-ass brother, Declan, and his new girlfriend. “Agreed. Fine.”

I’ll just have to come up with a last-minute excuse for her absence.

“Wonderful.” Mom pulled her phone from her purse and began pushing buttons.

“What are you doing?”

“Shh. I’m calling my driver and telling him I’ve changed my mind. He can drive me back to Chicago tonight.” Her eyes flicked over the home, and her lip curled.

She spoke to her driver with direct, unfriendly words. I’m sure his salary ensured he would do exactly as he was told, despite my mother speaking to him as though he was less than human. Drivers, much like lint and children, were entirely disposable in the eyes of Talia Miller.

“Can I make you tea while you wait?”

Mom tucked her phone back into her purse and smiled. “That would be lovely.”

As we waited for her driver to return, I made polite conversation and wondered how the hell I was ever going to make this right with Kate.

NINETEEN

KATE

“That rooster’s a real asshole.”

An abrupt laugh burst from me as Wyatt scowled at his seven-year-old daughter, who had the mouth of a sailor. “Pickle, watch your language.”

“Sorry,” she grumbled and looked up at me with guilt-ridden eyes.

I winked at her and wrapped an arm around her little shoulders. I leaned down to whisper as we walked deeper into the yard and away from the family gathering. “It’s all right. Bartleby Beakfaceisan asshole. But last week he did steal Beckett’s ham-and-cheese sandwich, so he’s gotsomeredeeming qualities.”

Her giggles were infectious. “Team Beakface.” Penny held out her fist, and I bumped it before dropping a kiss on her head.

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