Page 106 of Nothing to No One

“Smile,” Roxie said, showing hers. “Push your shoulders back. You have nothing to be ashamed of. Don’t let them make you think otherwise.”

“What should I say?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of that.”

The door opened, and rather than just one driver, half a dozen men formed a perimeter of protection for them to exit into. Their guards separated them from people calling their names. This was mid-level deployment? She dreaded ever needing full deployment.

Somehow, they got through her mother’s gate, also flanked by security. That little gate had swung open and shut for as long as she could remember. From childhood games to teenage tantrums, it was always there. Right then it looked pathetic and certainly wouldn’t hold up against anyone pushing its limits. Didn’t help that the guys protecting it were huge, ridiculous in their juxtaposition to something so feeble.

Roxie stopped in the middle of the path to wave to the crowd. “Thank you all for being here. We’re so pleased to have your support,” Roxie shouted to those on the street. “Unfortunately, there’s not going to be much to see, just my girl and I coming to visit Momma Bennett. It’ll be all hair and shoes and makeup. No scandal or drama here. You want that? Head toNew York, I have it on good authority that a certain special guest is showing up to The Ruby room tomorrow!” Roxie blew them a kiss. “Stay Crimson!”

Whirling around again, she forged up the stairs onto the porch.

“What guest?” she asked.

“That’s Z’s problem now. I say things and they happen. He’ll figure it out.”

Of the other men guarding the porch, one reached to open the door for them. Her mother’s door, her home, she’d never knocked or needed it opened for her in the past. If she needed a sign this was no regular day, that was it.

Roxie gestured inside. “This is your home, honey, not mine.”

The woman’s glittering smile wasn’t just for show. It imparted confidence and reassurance too.

As they went inside, her mother appeared in the kitchen at the other end of the hallway. “Oh, Bambi!” They hurried to each other, embracing by the ascending stairs. “What is all this?”

“We’ll explain everything,” she said and stepped aside. “Mom, this is Roxie.”

“Kyst,” her mother said, nodding. “You’re the internet billionaire.”

A laugh escaped Roxie’s lips. “I’ve been described as worse. I apologize for the mess. We’re doing our best to clean it up.”

“Oh, your people have been a godsend, a real godsend.” Her mother took her hand and beckoned Roxie to come sit in the kitchen. “I made pie.”

Her mother turned first, but it was the amusement in Roxie’s expression that relaxed her enough to laugh.

“Yes, my mother bakes pies.”

“I love this town,” Roxie said, going to give her a quick hug, keeping an arm around her as they headed into the kitchen. “I can already tell calories don’t count here.”

Her mother made drinks and cut pie for the three of them. When everyone was settled at the central kitchen table, she clasped her fingers near the edge of her plate.

“Where do you want to begin?” Not one for messing around, her mother got to the point. “You disappeared off to the big city. We thought you were getting along well. You didn’t mention any man, now you’re engaged?”

She stole a crumb from the edge of her plate with a fingertip. “I’m not really engaged. It’s a long story, but we had to say that to protect Roman Lowe’s reputation.”

“He’s a bit of a heartbreaker,” Roxie offered.

“And an outright hooligan at times,” her mother said, unimpressed. “That’s what my research tells me. I’m not sure how you could ever get mixed up with a man like him. I know Kevin wasn’t the best of men, but to go from him to someone like Roman Lowe—”

“I’m not with Roman,” she said. “Never have been, never will be. The man would test the patience of saints. I could never be attracted to someone like that.”

“Then why are you worried about his reputation? I don’t understand.”

“You know about the tape?” she said, unwilling to ask if her mother had seen it.

Okay, so she herself still hadn’t seen it and had no intention of seeking it out. It may not elude her forever, but she’d avoid it as long as she had the real thing. The first day at Roman’s, she’d called to calm her mom. Back then, details were sparse, and she hadn’t filled many in.

“Yes, I haven’t watched it,” her mom said. “How could you let yourself be—”

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