He hates that I’m sharing a room with Talia. I don’t need to hear him say it to know it.
“Fine,” he says smoothly, passing the concierge his card.
“So, Talia,” Audra says. “I have an extra bridesmaid dress in case you change your mind. It might need to be altered, because I didn’t realize your body had changed so much, but I’ll find someone to do it if you want. I’d love to have you in the bridal party.”
What a bitch. I fight my urge to tell Audra to fuck off, but Talia can stand up for herself.
“That’s okay,” Talia says lightly.
“My other daughter has arrived!”
A tall, thin woman with a light-blond bob and a deep tan is approaching us, her arms wide open. Coach Turner sighs heavily.
“Hi, Mom,” Talia says with absolutely zero enthusiasm.
They hug, her mom stepping back after doing a once-over of her daughter, then smiling tightly and saying, “Let’s do some shopping while you’re here. I’ll get you some clothes cut for your figure.”
“Her clothes are just fine,” Coach Turner says.
“Mom, this is Lucien Beaumont,” Talia says.
I take her hand and extend my other one to her mother. Her expression softens and she leans in for a half hug.
“Lucien. I’m so glad Talia is seeing someone. I’m Renee Carlisle.”
“Well, we’re going to get settled in our rooms,” Coach Turner says.
Audra takes a step closer to Talia. “Can we talk alone?”
“Oh, I need to take a shower and change. The schedule says we have a thing in like an hour and a half.”
“It won’t take long.”
I lie without even thinking about it. “My neck is stiff from the flight. Talia has magic hands; she’s going to work on it for me.”
“Right,” Talia agrees. “We’ll see you for the dinner thing.”
“It’s a sunset cruise.” Audra’s tone is corrective, like she’s offended that Talia didn’t call it the right thing.
I put a hand on Talia’s lower back as we walk away.
“I hate this already,” she says softly. “Why did I come?”
“I promise you’ll have fun.” I press the up button on the elevator. “Just trust me.”
The Hawaiian sunset paints the sky in dramatic streaks of pink and orange, but I’m too distracted by Talia to enjoy it. Her red dress accentuates her curves and shows off her spectacular legs. She’s got heels and a little black sweater on, her gaze finding mine as she talks to one of the bridesmaids.
“You mind, Coach?” I gesture at the seat next to him, part of a built-in bench with a padded seat cover.
“Go ahead.”
He’s holding a glass of whiskey, and I can tell from his closed-off expression that he’s not enjoying the sunset cruise.
“Not a fan of food on toothpicks?” I ask.
“I’m not a fan of Kyle Macintire. But you know that already.”
He’s in a bad position. Talia’s told me her dad has been supportive of her since the breakup, and he asked her if she was okay with him going to the wedding.
