“I resent that, Dr. Tagg. I only have my daughter’s best—”
“Harlow, you’re right. You don’t need a prescription.” Dr. Tagg scooped up her Coco Chanel coat and matching bag. “You need to get off your duff, take control of your life, and stop letting someone else drag your heart around.” She glared at Mom. “I’m sending you the bill for this one.”
“Well, that was rude,” Mom said when the door closed behindthe good doctor. “And what was that look she gave me on her way out?”
“What look?” Harlow said, feigning ignorance. She may have mentioned once or twice during her sessions with Dr. Tagg how she lived to make her mother happy.
Still, through all the pain and humiliation, she’d managednotto tuck her tail and run to Atlanta. She saw no reason to give in now. Yet how many options did a broke, overweight supermodel have?
A firm knock rattled the quiet room.
“Dr. Tagg must’ve forgotten something.” Jinx opened the door to find a messenger standing on the other side.
“Delivery for Harlow Hayes.”
The plain white envelope had no markings, only the letter inside along with a deed to a property in Florida. “It-it’s from Xander.”
“What does he want?” Jinx leaned to read over Harlow’s shoulder.
“Did he finally apologize?” Mom squeezed in for a look.
“No, he’s, um, he’s giving me the cottage we bought and renovated in Sea Blue Beach, Florida.” She’d secretly wanted the cottage when they separated but never had the chance to ask.
“Now?” Mom said. “Where’s this been the last two years? Read his note, Harlow.”
“Can you back up?” Harlow shrugged off Mom and Jinx. “Give me a minute.”
Harlow,see enclosed. Sincerely, Elmar,Assistant to Xander Cole.A second note fell to her lap, with a key taped to the plain, thick stationery.
Enjoy the house,H. I mean it. Please.—X.
“Well?” Mom hovered five feet away with Jinx.
“He said to enjoy the cottage.” She reread the deed with her name and buzzed with a bit of excitement.
“Why now?” Jinx said. “Can you accept it? What if there’s some sort of lien attached, or the police just discovered a murdered body?”
“Murdered body? Geez, Jinx, your one episode onKojakreally messed with you.” She’d played a murder victim during her modeling days. Slept with a night-light ever since.
Harlow reread Xander’s brief note. This was classic Xander Cole. He was equal parts scumbag and good guy.
“Tell him no thanks and come on home,” Mom said. “I think that’s best and—”
“Harlow Hayes is going to Sea Blue Beach.” She headed for her room. “It may be two years late, but this is his apology. And I accept. Jinx, I’ll write a check for my half of the utilities. Mom, thanks for coming.”
“You’re leaving now?” Mom said. “It’s almost eight o’clock.”
“Perfect. Traffic will have died down. I can drive all night.”
“Don’t you want to sleep? To think about it?”
“I’ve been sleeping for two years, and for the past hour, you’ve been telling me to get myself together, so here I go. This is it. Harlow Hayes is heading down the main line. Off to Margaritaville. I am woman, hear me roar.”
“Any more song lyrics in there?” Jinx said, laughing, approval in her voice.
“So you’d rather live in a house your ex-fiancé bought for you than come home with me?”
“I renovated that house, Mom. It’s all me—well, almost, except the ghastly chandelier Xander insisted on—and frankly, he owes me. One for recommending that lousy financial advisor, and two for ... foreverythingelse.”
