Page 99 of Heartless

It felt so good talking to my little sister without the animosity that usually crept into our conversations. She told me all about Daphne. I listened. Then I told her about Parker and she listened.

“Have you thought about telling him you have feelings for him?”

“Every day. But it’s complicated. He’s my boss. It’s bad enough that I sleep with him. Wouldn’t it look like I’m trying to take advantage of him?”

“To him? I don’t think so.”

“No, to the others.”

“What do you care what other people think? When was the last time you felt like that about anyone?” Clem paused for a moment, then continued. “He’s a keeper, Madison.”

“He is. But I’m in a constant fear that he’s not ready for this. He doesn’t let me into his villa at all. We spend all our time together at mine.”

Clem shrugged, obviously unaware of where I was going with this.

“The place is covered with photos of his wife, Clem. It’s like a tomb. And I really try not to be judgmental, but it bothers me.”

“I had never in my life heard you being concerned about being judgmental,” Clem said in a teasing tone.

“It’s not a laughing matter, Clem.”

“I know,” she placed a hand over mine and looked at Daphne. “I don’t know the details, but…” Clem shook her head. “I don’t think that I could survive. The things he had to endure. It’s unfathomable.” Daphne started twisting in Clem’s arms and screamed over my sister’s next words. “No parent should ever have to outlive their child.”

The world around me disappeared.

“What?” I asked.

Clem put Daphne down and she started to walk away from our table. “I said that no parent should ever outlive their child. And havingyour newborn and your wife die in a matter of days… I can’t imagine… I don't want to even think about it.”

Clem stood up and ran over to Daphne, who was already halfway over to the counter, probably planning on snatching a chocolate cookie.

I stood up abruptly. “I have to go.”

Clem said something to me, but it was like I couldn’t understand the words that came out of her mouth. My head was simultaneously empty and too full of thoughts I couldn’t even begin to place in order.

At some point I heard someone calling. “Miss? Miss? We’ve arrived.”

I looked around and realized I was in a taxi in front of The Gem. I didn’t remember getting one or explaining where I was going.

Walking into the lobby that had become so familiar to me, I felt like I stepped foot there for the first time. Like someone had plucked me out of my life, tore it to pieces and now I couldn’t recognize a single thing.

Parker and Franny had a baby? It died? How did I not know about this? Why didn’t he tell me?

“Madison?” A familiar male voice called my name and I turned to face Ryan. “Are you okay?” He took my elbow in a firm grip. “You look…well, no offense, but you look like you just woke up from the dead.”

And I felt like it.

“Do you want me to call Parker?” Ryan continued when I didn’t answer. “He’s in a staff meeting, but I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.”

“No,” I shook my head, not really wanting to see my lying boyfriend just yet. “I think I’m coming down with something. I’ll go take a nap.”

“I’ll walk you toyour villa.”

We walked through the lobby in silence, his hand still on my elbow, steadying me. Out in the gardens, he started talking.

“We never had the opportunity to talk. I wanted to tell you that I’m really happy about Parker moving on. My mother and I just want him to be happy. I know you don’t need our approval, but in case it means something to you, I want you to know that you have it.”

My good manners automatically clicked in and I thanked him, then offered my condolences. “I’m sorry about your sister. From what I heard about her, she was an amazing woman.”

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