Alicia’s hypothesis was confirmed well after dinner and more drinks, when the Colberts were shown to their guest rooms. Alicia followed her parents into their room while Danica retired to the primary chambers. As soon as Dennis had sequestered himself in the bathroom, Linda took her daughter by the arm and brought her over to the bed for a sit.
“Is everything okay?” Linda asked.Oh, no. Here we go.
“Everything is fine, Mom.”
“Are you sure? Because I’m pretty sure you’re married to someone who got thrown out of your hospital room a while ago.”
“We had a misunderstanding that’s been cleared up now.”
“Okay, but…”
“Everything is fine, Mom.”
Linda kept her lips closed for a few seconds. Someone could not contain herself, however. “I’m worried about you.”
Keep a straight face. Keep a straight face.“There’s nothing to be worried about.”
“How can I believe that?” Linda lowered her voice again. “Honey, a little while ago, I had never even heard of this woman before. I doubt you had, either. Now you’re married to a billionaire and working for her company? Or was it the other way around?”
“It’s complicated.”
Linda took her daughter’s hand. “Does she have something on you, sweetie?”
Maybe.“That’s not why we got married. This may be hard to believe, but Danica and I are in love. It was her idea to get married. Perhaps I should have waited, yes.” She could concedethatto her mother. “Except we couldn’t wait much longer due to things going on in her family.”
“Things like what?”
How the hell would she begin to explain such a thing? Could she even do it? Legally, that is? “I can’t really talk about it, butdue to how her family’s company is set up, it was a good idea for us to get married as soon as possible.” Total bullshit, but maybe Linda would fall for it.
“Is it some inheritance thing?”
“Yeah, you could say that.” They were definitely trying to inherit the company.
“Well… you’re an adult, sweetie, and you can do what feels right for your life, but please,pleasebe careful. I’ve had a bad feeling for a long time now.”
Just what I need.Well-founded bad feelings. “How’s Dad really taking it?”
“Your father was beside himself when he found out. Took three days to calm him down. I think he’s in a stupor now.”
“If you and Dad need anything…”
“We need you to be happy and safe.” Linda cupped her hands around her daughter’s face. “I always dreamed of you getting married. Just not like this.”
“I know, Mom.” Alicia tried not to get teary-eyed. “This has been a lot for me to deal with as well. But I promise you, I’m fine. Danica is a great spouse, even if it may be hard to tell. She’s very closed off with people.”
“Except for you, right?”
Alicia smiled. “Yes.”
“I’m sure you’ve made a good choice, sweetie. It will just take us a while to get used to all the… changes.”
Alicia rubbed her mother’s arm. “I’m still adjusting too.”
This talk did not put Alicia in a good mood. After she said goodnight and went to her room, the first thing she did was head to the liquor stash and raid her wife’s favorite whisky.
“Thirsty?” Danica asked from the bed. She was sprawled across it, jacket and top on the floor, bra unsnapped and hanging loosely on her chest.
Alicia went to her, glass in hand. She hated the taste and the burn of this stuff, but had come around to why her wife always had a shot sometime between dinner and bed.We need it.Alicia downed the spirits within three seconds. “Parched,” she gasped.
