Page 80 of Silver Fake

I scrunch my brows together. "Not exactly."

"That's a no," Dad says. "But I'm guessing you wouldn't mention it to us now unless you have a plan."

"I don't think calling and texting her every day will get me very far. I need to talk to her in person; it will take more than words to convince her I'm serious about us. I know she's better than the person I was comparing her to. The problem is she hasn't been home when I've stopped by her apartment, or at least she's not answering the door. I'm hoping the two of you will help me."

"Of course, we'll help," Mom says, "but what are you expecting we can do that will make her feel confident in your feelings for her."

I shake my head. "I know that has to come from me. I just need your help getting her here. She's angry with me, but not the two of you. She loves you guys, and I know if you say you miss her, she won't turn you down if you ask her to come here to visit you."

"Lisa would be the perfect person to run this place," Mom says, looking at Dad.

"It would be both of us together if she accepts my apology and agrees to run the hotel with me."

"Yeah, of course, honey," Mom says, still looking at Dad, and I just shake my head laughing.

Dad smiles at mom and puts his hand over hers on the table. "And if he's in charge of the hotel, we could finally take more time for ourselves. Take that trip to Hawaii we've always talked about."

Mom smiles so bright I swear we could turn out all the lights, and it still wouldn't be dark. She turns to face me again. "What do you need us to do?"

"I think she'll answer your calls," I say. "Could you just invite her out? Tell her you miss her and would love to have lunch or dinner."

"I can do that," she says. "You just be prepared to grovel."

"I'll do whatever it takes," I say. "She deserves my best and more."

"Good," Mom says, reaching into her bag. She pulls her phone out and starts pressing buttons.

"Are you calling her now?" I ask.

"Of course I am," she says, looking at me like my question was ridiculous. "This rift between you two has gone on long enough. It's time for you to make this right so you two can get on the same page. I plan to host at least one more wedding here at the hotel: yours."

My heart does a flip in my chest at the thought of Lisa marrying me. After everything that has happened between us, I might have some big time making up to prove to her that I'm not going to push her away again before he's considering something like marriage, but I'm damn sure going to make that my goal.

CHAPTER27

Lisa

I haven't spokento John since he barged into my apartment and crushed everything growing between us.

My time at Denise's was a great getaway, but I couldn't stay forever. I came back home a week ago and have spent my time flipping through openings at other law firms, trying to decide if I even want to be a secretary anymore.

It was an easy decision when I started my career as a secretary at Carter & Folkes. I enjoyed my years there, but looking at job postings for secretary work at other firms has made me consider following some of Denise's advice and finding something else that makes me happier than that work ever did or could.

The job search will have to wait because I'm pulling back into Barton Beach. I might not be speaking to John, but there was no way I could ignore Nancy's call yesterday evening.

Sadly, I haven't spoken to her since the day John and I broke up, but I don't want to cut her or Bill out of my life just because things didn't work out with John. I couldn't even if I wanted to. The woman is not someone I have the strength to say no to, and I didn't want to say no.

Besides, Melissa keeps me up to date on the firm. In particular, she keeps me updated on what John is doing at the firm. Part of me wishes I had the strength to tell her I don't need to know how dumpy he's been since I left or how lost he is with the temp secretary currently acting as my replacement. I'd be lying, though. I'm not proud of it, but knowing he's feeling the effects of our breakup, even if it might just be at work, gives me a little relief.

Plus, I know I won't be running into him at the Barton Beach Hotel when I pull up in a few minutes to meet Nancy for lunch. He's still just as in demand as ever, and Melissa said he's gone to California for the week, at minimum, for a trial for some secret high-profile client out there.

If I had to guess, I'd say it's another celebrity suing someone for defamation. Still, there are some levels of confidentiality Melissa can't disclose to me since I'm no longer employed at Carter & Folkes.

Doesn't really matter.

The important thing is it's safe to visit his mom without being bombarded in person. I know I have to forgive him. Denise was right about that, but I'm still not sure I'm ready to forgive him, or if I want to forgive him and move on, or see if he wants to try to repair what we had and try to heal and grow together.

Pulling into the parking lot at the hotel, I immediately know I'm a liar. Not that I lie to others, but I've been lying to myself the whole drive here.

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