“Time? Pft—it was obvious he was close to dy—ing.” Lunette choked on the last word. “I can’t believe you got married and didn’t invite us,” she blubbered.
Kenzi stepped closer and rubbed circles on Lunette’s back. Raquel handed her a tissue. They huddled close for a moment, needing each other more than they needed to fight.
Had it been Raquel gushing tears, she would have suspected an act, but Lunette was always the most emotional out of the three of them. Maybe it was because she was the baby of the family. Maybe it was part of her addictive personality that she had a difficult time controlling her body’s cravings, including the need to release feelings. Whatever the reason, she usually got what she wanted.
“I’m sorry. It sort of happened fast.”
“How did you even meet him?” asked Raquel.
“Aunt Pamela introduced us,” Kenzi replied carefully, thankful that the truth came out as easily as it did. “She was sure he’d be the one for me—even said she had a good feeling about us.” That was weird, right? Shouldn’t she have a good feeling about all the couples she matched? If not, why go through with the matchmaking?
“Like Mom and Dad,” said Raquel. The mood lifted at the mention of their mother. She had often told them how she’d met their father on a blind date and they were married shortly thereafter; how she’d known from the minute she laid eyes on him that he was the one.
Kenzi’s smile grew tight. She needed to have a heart-to-heart with Aunt Pamela about who exactly set up her mother and father. Had her dad paid for a wife and she stuck around because of the money? Wouldn’t that be crazy if they’d been one of Pamela’s first clients?
No, her parents had been in love. Dad hadn’t looked at another woman after Mom passed, and it was her death that sent him on the path that led to an early grave.
Her mind drifted back to what was waiting for them on the other side of the door. “So, we should talk about what we want out of this decision before we go in and vote.”
Raquel leaned away from her. “Why?”
“Because if we’re not on the same page, we should know. Don’t you think?”
Lunette’s tears slowed, and her hands shook as she wiped under her eyes. The shaking meant she was fighting the need for a drink. She’d hold off, make it through the meeting, but then she’d disappear for a few hours—or days—before coming back up for human contact. Thank goodness Hattie had a good nanny.
Lunette folded the tissue in tight squares and blotted her eyes. “I say we sell the company and divide the profits. I want to be away from both of you. I’ve lived my whole life under you guys’ shadows and Dad’s rules. I’m sick of it.”
“You’d leave?” Raquel asked in disbelief.
“I’d have enough money to buy a house on a tropical island and spend my life on the beach. You bet I’d leave. I’d be a fool not to.”
Raquel’s arms dropped to her side. She was as taken aback by Lunette’s decision as Kenzi. “Would you take Hattie?”
“Of course,” Lunette snapped. “She’s my daughter.”
“But what kind of life would that be for her?” asked Kenzi.
“A beautiful life. What child wouldn’t want to live on a beach and play in the sand?”
Typical Lunette, thinking of the now. Kenzi pressed, “But she’ll start school in a couple years, and she needs friends and a strong social group.”
Lunette waved her off. “I’ll worry about that when the time comes. There’s no sense borrowing trouble. For all I know, she’ll be antisocial and being with just me will be a relief.”
Kenzi bit back her response. If her sister spent any time with Hattie, she’d know what a bright, fun-loving, and friendly girl she really was—the girl begged for attention. While Kenzi and Raquel were busy, they made time for their niece, hoping to fill in the gaps when her mom was sleeping off a binge. Who would be there for the child when Lunette passed out on the beach? She pressed her hand over her stomach to stop the churning. Lunette’s decision was the worst-case scenario and one more reason Kenzi should become CEO instead of selling.
As it stood, most of their inheritance was in a trust. They could make draws on their portion, but not enough to buy a house on a beach—especially in this strong seller’s market. They were probably the only billionaires on the planet who had allowances. They could unanimously vote to up their monthly stipends, but after hearing Lunette’s plans, Kenzi couldn’t in good conscience vote for anything that would allow Lunette to take Hattie away from the only family and stability she’d known.
Kenzi turned her attention to Raquel. At this point, anything she had to say would be better than what they’d just heard. “What about you?”
“I—” Raquel’s eyes darted about the hallway. The wheels turned inside her head with such speed Kenzi could swear she heard them whirl. “I’m not set on what I’d do.”
Translation:I had wanted to sell, but I don’t want Lunette to leave.
In a flash, the wheels stopped and she stood up straighter. “I think we should parcel out the business and put the money in the trust. That way, we all have equal access to it but we can’t take the full share.”
“Why not keep Hazel’s? We could run it just like Dad did.” Kenzi worked to keep her voice even. “Together.” This conversation, as honest and hard as it was, gave her hope that they could work together. Some fences weren’t meant to mend, but that didn’t mean that you gave up on the people you loved. They might just be able to do this.
Raquel’s nose wrinkled. “Because it’s dying, Kenzi.”
