CHAPTER SEVEN
The next few days were hard on her. The funeral, then the reading of her father’s will. Each of the children received a portion of his wealth, but the majority went to her mother, which it should have. After that, they had a wonderful family dinner together. For the first time since Tammy could remember, they acted as a real family. There was wine and laughter. Tammy was surprised at how strong her mother was. She couldn’t have been happier.
It was her mother who hugged her when Lance and she were leaving. “Please don’t be a stranger dear.”
Tammy felt her eyes water. “I won’t.”
“Call me more often, okay?”
She nodded too choked up to say anything. If there was something she could take away from her beloved father’s death, it was that her mother and she were closer.
“I have to meet Marianne tonight,” Lance said once they were back in the car.
“I know.”
“Did you want to come?”
She turned her head to look at him. “I need to be able to trust you Lance. I don’t think I need to be there.”
“I was worried about leaving you alone Tammy.” He smiled. “I haven’t given you a reason not to trust me and I know you’re more mature than that.”
She smiled back at him. “That doesn’t mean I trust her. I have an image of her answering her door in a negligee.”
He chuckled. “We’re meeting at a restaurant. I assure you, that even she wouldn’t be that bold.”
“Good thing. I suppose I can call Eli.”
“Eli?”
“The fashion designer—” his expression changed to disproval “—the gay one,” she laughed and he relaxed. “Now who’s mistrustful?”
“Like you said—it’s not you I distrust. Men fall all over you.”
“Lance Hartley, that is not the case!”
“No? As I said, I’m an alpha male and I can recognize another predator.”
“You are seeing things.”
“And that is why they fall all over you. Your humility is astounding.”
She flushed.
He embraced her. “I just can’t touch you enough.” He sighed heavily. “I’ll be late. I’m sorry. There are papers to sign, and a lot of matters to discuss. I should be spending this with you, but we’re leaving tomorrow. The sooner I can hand everything over, the better. I was going to do it on my trip next month, but seeing as we are getting married, I’d rather get this out of the way now. You have my cell number.”
“I do. I’m okay with it, honestly.” And she was.
***
After Lance left that evening, she did call Eli. She didn’t want to be alone. She shouldn’t have been surprised when he told her to take a cab to his apartment. Apparently he was having a party.
“Wear something stunning!”
She laughed, “I will.”
“Be prepared darling, there are a lot of freaks here, including myself. If you want, bring that man of yours.” He made a delicious sound. “I’d climb that hunk of meat like a monkey to a tree.”
“Eli!” Oh God, she was laughing so hard now.
