Page 56 of Park Avenue Princess

I step closer and place my hands on her shoulders. “Yes, Lynne, I have. I know this will devastate my mother. She’s been in my thoughts since yesterday. Does that mean I don’t care about my father? No, but he should’ve thought of that when he chose corruption. He and I haven’t seen eye-to-eye for many years, on many subjects. As I alluded to yesterday, he wanted to dictate my path, from college to career, but I wanted none of that. He started out a simple man from Queens with high ambitions. I can’t fault him for that; everybody wants to do better. What Icanfault him for was the path he chose for himself in achieving those goals. Mom and I were happy to remain in Queens instead of Manhattan. We were happy with our lives, knowing we had more than most. And when we moved to be among the elite, knowing that’s where Dad thought we deserved to be, still, Mom and I tried to live as we had before, never wanting to live beyond what we really needed.”

“Your father is one of the richest men in the state, hell, probably all of New England, and—”

“And he achieved that illegally. By essentially cheating and robbing the citizens of New York. Could he have done just as well with hard work and ethical practices? Maybe.” I give her a squeeze. “That’s not the legacy I want. I am not my father.”

Silence passes between us for a few breaths until Lynne speaks again.

“No, you’re not,” she whispers as she shakes her head. “You’re not,” she says with more certainty, placing her hands around my waist.

“I can’t erase his actions, and I am so sorry for what he did to you, to your parents, but it’ll end. He’ll pay for what he’s done.”

“I know that. But I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to come with me to my parents. With all they’re dealing with…”

“And what about you? Me? As much as I feel for your mother, for all she’s endured, I’m doing this for you, Lynne. For you and me. I wouldn’t hesitate to bring you to meet my mom, knowing she isn’t going to judge you or hate you for the information you now know. Because it wasn’t your doing. Hell, I can’t wait for her to meet you!”

When her eyes widen, I chuckle and reassure her.

“Because I want her to meet the woman I love. Our parents made their choices, right or wrong, good or bad, and have lived with the consequences; yours surviving the only way they thought they knew how and my father reveling in his riches. But now it’s about us. I want to show you that I’m by your side no matter what. Does that mean I don’t care about the fallout to our mothers when this comes to light? Absolutely not. But by going forward as a united front, we show them we make our own decisions as well. Do you understand that?”

I can still see uncertainty, the hesitation to make any decision that would be perceived as a betrayal against her parents.

“Why did you go to Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii?”

She rears back her head as if completely confused by my question. “What does that have to do with anything? That has no bearing on—”

“Lynne,” I say softly, cutting her off. “Why did you go?”

Her face twists with annoyance before a myriad of emotions play across the surface. Her eyes widen then soften as her face relaxes and the pieces click into place. “I went because I wanted to make my own decisions, do asIplease. To break free from what I thought were the confines of a miserable situation working for a man I thought couldn’t care less about me and my achievements. I went to escape what I thought were the unfulfilled expectations of parents I’d never been able to please or make proud.”

With each sentence she spoke, her voice cracked and filled with emotion.

“I now realize much of what I thought to be true with my parents was in fact, not the case at all. But I’ve had enough of living only to placate others.” Her voice now fills with a steely determination as she lifts her chin. “Six years ago was the start of living solely for me. Yet when I found happiness, I thought it impossible, too good to be true.” She tightens her hold on me. “I found a man who was sexy and fun and adventurous and encouraging, and I blew it.”

“You—”

“Uh, uh,” she shakes her head. “Not finished. I did blow it then, and cost us nearly six years together. Had I chosen to continue our relationship, would we still be together? Maybe, maybe not. And when we introduced one another to our parents, what would have been the implications then? Who’s to say. All I can say now is, you’re right. I may be an educated woman, a smart woman, savvy sometimes, unsure other times. I’m also stubborn and dense. I may lack confidence in certain situations yet brim with it when absolutely needed. But what I amnotis a stupid woman.” There’s a sparkle in her eye I love seeing. “I’m not so stupid that I’ll let this chance you’re giving me slip through my grasp. I will not take for granted your patience, your tenacity, your kindness, nor your love.”

Lynne tips her head up to press her lips to mine, lingering in a sweet kiss. When she pulls back, her eyes shine with moisture.

“Thank you, Guy Hamilton, for setting my ass straight.” She gives me a lopsided grin and I sputter with laughter.

“It is my immense pleasure to set your fine ass in any direction needed, as long as it aligns with mine.”

“Deal.” She closes her eyes and rests her head against my chest. “I know this isn’t a time for jokes, but I’m glad for a small reprieve anyway.”

I stroke my hand across her head and down her silky hair before resting on her back. “Same. And now that we’re on the same page…” I pull back to look at her. “We are on the same page, aren’t we?”

She gives me a luminous smile. “We absolutely are.”

I nod, returning her smile. “Good. Now, time for you to shower so we can get you a new phone before we face your parents.”

Lynne simply nods, links her hand with mine, and pulls me with her toward the bathroom.

Over an hour later, we’re sated, showered, and dressed, smiling at one another as we ride the elevator down to her lobby. I even took the time to use Lynne’s iron on my clothes, knowing there wasn’t time to go to my place.

Stepping out into the sunshine, my optimism soars for what’s ahead involving me and this beautiful lady by my side.

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