Page 23 of Two Hearts' Subterfuge

“Anyway, I’m not only here to thank you, but I’d also appreciate some advice, as long as you don’t mind.”

Aylin blinked. “Okay. Although I’m not sure how I can help you there.”

“You were able to earn Lara’s trust. Can you tell me how?”

Considering, Aylin pursed her lips before answering, “I think she recognized me as another person who’s never quite fit in.”

Danielle nodded, appearing thoughtful. “To me, you look like you’d fit in anywhere.”

“Well, at home, I’m seen as an outsider, because of my Turkish heritage. And the fact that Dad owns one of the largest companies in the region actually seems to keep most kids away from me.”

“Really?”

Aylin nodded. “And then there’s Ash. I’m not sure if you’ve heard about him?”

“I wasn’t sure if I was allowed to talk about that,” Danielle confessed. “But my husband and your father are pretty well acquainted, so I have. He’s suspected of being involved in several plots involving domestic terrorism. Right?”

“More than just suspected now,” Aylin admitted. “He’s on the run. That’s why we all came here for a break. Plus, Dad wanted Rafe and Camille to have a proper family wedding.”

“All I know is that I’ve always had a strong belief in the power of fate, and it seemed like a miracle that you were here for my daughter,” Danielle confessed. “I’ve been scared to death about Lara, but I was afraid that if I pressed too hard, it would push us further apart.”

“I’m pretty sure you’re right about that,” Aylin admitted, nodding her agreement. “Lara reminded me so much of a girlthat I knew back in high school, that I felt like I had to try and do something, so I started asking her a lot of questions. Finding out that she could sing was pretty much accidental.”

“How did you get her to agree to a makeover? I’ve been afraid to even offer to take her shopping. The last time I did, everything she picked out was black.”

Aylin grinned. “I sat here and drew a sketch of her as she was in the present, and then I drew another sketch that showed herwhoI thought she could be after I learned a little more about her.”

“I’d love to see those sketches,” Danielle said.

“Lara took them along with her, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s got them somewhere close to maintain her confidence. You should have seen the look on her face when I showed them to her.”

“Before I go nosing around in her room again, I’ll ask her brother, Ben. Apparently, they had a pretty good heart to heart last night.”

Aylin nodded. “She was wearing one of your gowns last night, you know.”

Danielle blinked. “That purply concoction? I was wondering where it came from. How could that be?”

Aylin gave her a toothy smile.

Danielle’s jaw dropped open. Finally, she spoke. “No wonder it looked like it was made for her. How in the world were you able to create something like that in less than a few hours? That dress wasbeautiful.” Danielle shook her head in obvious disbelief. “And then when I heard her voice, I broke down in tears. How could I not know she could sing—let alone sing likethat?”

“My guess is because her voice was different, she never thought it was as good as yours or Eve’s.”

“It’s odd that I’ve never heard her practicing though.”

“I got the impression that she hasn’t been doing much of that lately. Mostly, it was before whatever incident occurred to make her want to start hiding in plain sight with the goth look. I could tell right away that she really wasn’t into it but was using it as a disguise.”

Danielle pursed her lips. “So, you think something happened to her too.”

“I do. I also think she’s probably not going to tell you what it is—at least not now—so you need to accept that and move forward.”

“My son Ben said that Lara might be willing to see a psychiatrist,” Danielle admitted.

Aylin’s eyes went wide. “He must be persuasive. If she likes the doctor, I think that would be a good thing. She doesn’t seem to have many friends. I don’t either, because of my situation.”

“Well, you have them here,” Danielle said firmly. “Now, I’m trying to figure out exactly how to move forward. Eve’s asked Lara to join her on tour this summer.”

“Would it help if I told you how I think you should talk with her? She’s so fragile, she might take any kind of suggestions the wrong way.”

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