“I’m asking Madeline for a favor, one that isn’t difficult. If your father means anything to her, she’ll know what this would mean to him. I’m offering her a choice.”
My stomach drops like I missed a step on a staircase, and my hands won’t stop trembling. Thirty minutes ago, I was with Jesse, having one of the best days I’ve had in a very long time. Now I’m sitting in the middle of my own living room, feeling like I’m trapped in a box with very little oxygen.
“You don’t even know Wes. Or Jesse. You would ruin their family just to help dad’s career?” I ask in disbelief. Even for my mother, that sounds like a stretch.
She looks me straight in the eye. “I would do anything for your father.”
I cannot tolerate her being here for one second longer. But before I can tell her to leave, she beats me to it. She stands and picks up her purse, takes one last disapproving glance around my apartment, and then turns to look at me. “This really doesn’t need to be difficult, Madeline.”
With that, she sweeps out of my apartment without a backwards glance. “I’m so sorry,” Cara whispers, pulling me into a quick hug, Marigold pressed between us. “I’ll call you.” She slips out the front door, leaving me alone, and still in shock.
“Is it safe to come out?” Lottie asks, peeking her head around the corner before joining me. “Your mom is still intense. Like, politely terrifying. How did it go?”
“Not well. But it never does with her.” I sink into the couch, trying to come to terms with what just happened.
Lottie chuffs. “I don’t know how you two are even related.”
“I don’t know either,” I say. “If I ever act like her, you have permission to throw me from a bridge.”
Lottie nods solemnly. “Glad we’re on the same page. Okay.” She claps her hands, trying for lightness. “Why don’t we order something for dinner. Pad Thai? Sushi? Burgers? We’ll eat takeout and watch a scary movie.”
I try to smile, but it collapses halfway out. “I don’t know that I’m up for that right now. I’m sorry.”
Her face softens. “Mad…”
The first tear hits my cheek before I can respond. She steps closer, eyes searching mine, then lets out a dramatic sigh. “Okay. Nope. What happened? Tell me.”
I shake my head, but Lottie crosses the room, flopping down on the couch next to me, wrapping her arm around my shoulder.
It doesn’t take long to recap everything that has happened in the last two weeks, all the way to my mother’s threat about Wes. When I’m done, Lottie’s jaw is on the floor, hanging open in stunned disbelief.
“Blackmail?” Her finger lifts and she makes a dramatic circle in the air, pointing at my whole body. “Start explaining immediately. I need to know what she thinks she has on the man.”
“I have no idea, and she didn’t give me any clues.”
“And you and Jesse are…official?”
“Don’t make it weird,” I warn her. “But yes. We’re together. It’s new. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it.”
Her eyes go huge. “I knew it! I knew something was going on. You’ve been smiling at your phone like a feral Disney princess for weeks.”
Despite everything, I snort. “Shut up.”
She squeezes my hand. “Okay, so what are you going to do about Elliot and the gala?”
I groan. “I don’t know what to do. This is such a mess. My mom—” The words stick. My throat tightens. “If I don’t go with Elliot, Wes gets dragged through the mud. And if I do, how will Jesse feel? He’s not going to be happy. He’s going to wonder what the hell he’s gotten himself into by dating me. And he’s going to wonder how any parent could manipulate their own daughter the way my parents do.”
“Jesus.” Lottie drags a hand down her face. “Your parents need hobbies. Like pickleball or prison.”
I choke out a miserable sound, and she immediately pullsme against her shoulder. “Hey. You’re not dealing with this alone, okay?”
I nod, swallowing around the ache in my chest. “Thank you.”
Lottie strokes her hand over my hair. “Okay, girl. Now let’s discuss when I get to meet your new hot man.”
TWENTY-NINE
Madeline
