Page 71 of Sunset Tides
She made it outside and away from the noise. “We had dinner, but now everyone’s having fun. Guess what?”
“What?”
“My mom just got engaged!”
His tone softened. “Wow, cool. Tell her I said congratulations.”
“I will. How’re you?”
“Not bad. Work’s been rough.”
“Ah.” She looked up. It was a cloudy night, but she could still make out some stars.
“How is that going to work?” he asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Your mom’s engagement. What about us getting engaged? Is that going to get in the way?”
Lillian bit her lip. “I don’t see why it would.”
“Is it going to be another excuse for you to push our wedding off?”
“Of course not.” She shut her eyes. Always the same arguments. “I was just excited to tell you about it. She’s so happy.”
He grunted. “Okay. Sorry. I’m in a bad mood. Maybe we can talk tomorrow.”
“I think that’s a good idea.”
They ended the call and Lillian stood there, listening to the water lapping at the shore. She tried to envision Mason kneeling in front of her with the ring in his hand.
What would he say? What wouldshesay?
Of course she’d tell him yes. They’d been planning this for years. It was the next step, the right step.
Yet, try as she might, she couldn’t shake the feeling of unease in her chest.
Chapter Thirty
Lucy was left to grapple with Lillian’s comments on her own, and it didn’t take her long to decide there was no way Rob had inspired “passion” in her.
How could all that bickering have been passion? She couldn’t stand the guy, from his stupid suits to his expensive cologne and even the way he smiled off to one side. He drove her crazy, always popping into her head with his unwelcome comments and opinions.
Even now, she couldn’t stop thinking about him. It was infuriating. She wanted nothing to do with him.
Maybe Lillian was right. Maybe it was time for Lucy to get a boyfriend to be bored of, too.
One of Lillian’s comments had really stuck, though. Why hadn’t Rob come to the hearing? At first, Lucy hadn’t given it much thought. She was relieved to not have to face him, and thrilled the hotel wasn’t going to be taken.
It was unlike him to miss something important, though. He was always on time. Annoyingly so. Had something bad happened to him?
Dread, that old familiar lead blanket, settled onto Lucy’s chest. It made no sense for Rob to disappear like that. What if there had been foul play? What if his plane had crashed? Lucy hadn’t heard of any recently, but he could’ve been flying back to New York…
Just as Lucy’s spiral began, Lillian reappeared.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
Lucy forced a smile. “Yeah, everything’s fine. How’s Mason?”
