“I do, Margery. But I hope if you ever want to know something, you’ll come to me and ask. I’ve told André everything. There are no secrets between us anymore.”
André had a sudden thought. “Mother, what do you know about the pictures Kyle sent to Chess of me kissing another man?”
“I swear, nothing. I would never let him use you like that. Please, believe me.”
“But maybe you knew he was planning something devious?”
For the first time since his father died, he watched her crumble. “I didn’t realize the lengths he was willing to go to—paying people off, lying about Chess’s past, those pictures of you. I’m sorry.”
Peacemaker that he was, Chess put a hand on his arm. “I think we’ve all learned that keeping secrets from each other is a recipe for disaster, and if we promise to be open-minded and nonjudgmental, it’ll all be better in the end.”
André was less inclined to let his mother off the hook so easily but didn’t want the day to become one argument after another.
“Mother, I need you to promise me that you’ll stay out of my relationship. Accept that Chess and I are going to be married and be happy for us.”
“I promise I won’t interfere. I am happy. All I want is for my children to be happy.” She looked from him to Chess. “I’m just still so worried about the company and how we’ll carry on with you leaving.”
“I’m not leaving. I’m choosing to take a step back and have less of an active role. Henry, Bianca, and I talked about it, and we’re going to make a business plan. I’m not going to leave them swinging in the wind. If they need my help, all they have to do is ask.”
“That was our dream—your father’s and mine.” Her gaze sought Chess’s. “I allowed myself to be talked into something I should’ve been smart enough to resist. I’m so sorry for everything I did. I was a fool not to see how much André loves you. And you love him equally. I hope you can forgive me and we can start fresh.”
Eyes glowing, Chess nodded. “I’m willing to try.”
“I’m not Chess, and I don’t forgive as easily.” He knew Chess would be willing. But not him.
“André,” Chess appealed to him, but his mother met his gaze unflinchingly.
“No. It’s fine. What can I do to regain your trust?”
“I don’t know. I had no idea the depths you’d descend to in order to break up my relationship. I’m disappointed, frustrated, hurt, but most of allangry, none of which can be remedied with a simple ‘I’m sorry.’ There’s no way to wipe the slate clean with a promise to never do it again and then go about our business as if nothing happened. It’s going to take time.”
Her eyes watered. “As long as you’re giving me the opportunity to make it up to you.”
Chess squeezed his thigh, a signal that he wanted André to meet his mother halfway. And though his trust might be broken right now, he understood how desperately Chess wanted a family.
“We can try.”
“Then I’ll have to be satisfied.” She gave them both a tremulous smile and returned to business mode. “Now, Henry and Bianca. I think we need to meet and discuss your plans for Webster Properties. After breakfast, I’d like to sit down and go through them. André, do you want to join us?”
“No. First of all, today is our engagement party, and I’m not thinking about anything but Chess and myself. Plus, for this to work, Henry and Bianca should feel that they’re in charge, without me looking over their shoulders.” Besides, he’d just had an idea, and if he was going to pull it off, he didn’t have a second to spare. “I have some errands to run before it’s time to get ready for tonight. When is the photographer coming?”
“Around four.”
“A photographer?” Bianca piped up. “There’s going to be pictures?”
“Of course. We’ll want to have mementos of the engagement party.” His mother sipped her coffee.
“I’d better get some sun.” Spencer rose from his seat and slipped his phone into his pocket. “Have to get my glow on to look my best.”
The tense mood broken, everyone laughed.
“You always look beautiful, Spencer.” Elliot patted his cheek.
“You and Win join me. He can tell me all his hot-cop stories.”
“You keep going with that fantasy,” Elliot said, “and I’ll just sit here thinking about how Win fell asleep on me on the couch while we watched the eleven o’clock news.”
“Sounds like a challenge I’m willing to accept.” Win slipped his arm around Elliot, whose smile couldn’t have been brighter.
