Jian came to Heather’s mind but she quickly pushed it back. The guy had helped them out but a street gang leader was far too unconventional, evenfor her sister.
“That waiter who keeps offering me champagne is kind of adorable. I think I’ll chat him up a bit more. See you later, sis.”
Heather shook her head as Charlotte walked off and began flirting with the hired help. Scott was still talking with Drew and Judge Stokinger, the friend of Drew’s who had offered to help when Scott was arrested. She’d let them have their time. She didn’t want to relive any of that horror. The thought of Scott going to jail for something he didn’t do, scared the crap out of her.
“Why does your sister do this to me?” Her mother’s soft voice drifted into her musings.
“Do what?” Playing innocent always gained her a few minutes to get herself prepared to deal with her mother.
“Do what? Please, Heather, do you see what she’s wearing, or should I say what she’s almost wearing? And then flirting with the most inappropriate men.”
“How is the waiterinappropriate?”
“He’s being paid to work here tonight. Do I need to spell that out to you?”
“Scott’s here as a guest. Does that make him appropriate?”
Her mother sighed heavily. “He’s certainly better than a waiter, but not by much. You need someone who can give you what you want, dear. Not some construction worker.”
He was much more than a construction worker, but Heather knew pointing that out to her mother would be a moot point.
“I saw you with Clif earlier and he seemed quite friendly. That’s wonderful considering how you ended things with him. You should try and catch his attention again tonight. He might give you another chance.”
“I don’t want another chance with Clif, Mom. I broke up with him for a reason. You said I needed a man who could give me what I want. Well, I want a man whocares for me.”
“I’m sure Clif cares for you. He’s asked me several times about you.”
“Clif is an arrogant jerk who doesn’t care about pleasing me in any way. He likes the idea of merging our money.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that, Heather. And you need to make sure you please your man, not the other way around.”
“That’s so old-fashioned, Mom. Are you saying that Dad never pleased you? Never did anything becauseyouwanted it? That you’ve done all the giving in your relationship?” She knew it wasn’t true but needed her motherto realize it.
Her mother’s eyes drifted off to the distance where her dad stood conversing with several other men. “No, your father is an amazing man, and I’m fortunate to have him. He always sees to my needs and is quite generous.”
“Do you love him?” It wasn’t something she’d heard much between her parents though she was fairly sure they did love each other.
“Of course I do, and he loves me. I don’t know what I’d do without him.”
“Then why can’t I have someone who loves me and gives me what I want. Someone who I love.”
“You can, Heather, but it’s just as easy to fall in love with a wealthy, successful man as it is with a common laborer. I did.”
“Well, don’t hold your breath waiting for me to fall in love with Clif. That willnever happen.”
“It doesn’t have to be Clif. There are many available men here tonight who are more suitable for you. Don’t disregard them because you have a sudden itch for a man who works with his hands. I admit, those nice muscles under snug T-shirts can turn any woman’s head, but you must think of the long term, your future.”
That was the problem. Every time she did think of the future, it always involved a man with wavy dark hair, wearing Carhartts and smelling of sawdust.
