Courtney watched her friend leave. Once the door closed behind her, she sagged back in her chair and blew out a breath. For the most part, the conversation had gone well. Although Addie was surprised, it didn’t appear as if she doubted any part of the story. “Time for the second act,” she muttered after a glance at her watch.
Angela, her mom’s personal assistant, smiled when Courtney approached. A woman in her mid-sixties, she’d been with the foundation for as long as Courtney could remember.
“Mrs. Belmont said to have you go straight in,” Angela said as she reached for the ringing phone on her desk.
Although she couldn’t complain about her office, her mom’s office was at least three times the size. In addition to a desk and a matching credenza, the room contained an oval-shaped conference table, a separate sitting area that her mom used for more relaxed meetings, as well as a private bathroom. Several pictures of Cooper, her only grandson at the moment, sat on the credenza. And no matter the time of year, there were always fresh flowers in the office. Today’s arrangement consisted of white lilies, peach roses, carnations, and green echeveria succulent. It was anyone’s guess what might be in the office next week.
“Hi, Courtney. I’ll be right with you. I’m finishing up an email.”
No need to rush.
Rather than sit near the desk, Courtney crossed the room and got comfortable on one of the two dove-gray sofas. As promised, Marilyn joined her almost immediately.
After sitting on the sofa across from Courtney, she put her cup down on the coffee table between them. “It seems like I haven’t talked to you in ages.”
While they both worked for the foundation these days and saw each other almost daily, it had been a while since they sat down and engaged in a conversation that didn’t involve work.
“Have you talked to Scott?” her mom asked.
The next two people she planned to drop the news on were her brother and sister, but she hadn’t wanted to reach out to them until after telling her mom. “Not recently.”
“He called last night. Paige is having twins.” Mom sounded as happy as a child who was about to get her first puppy.
She’d known Paige was pregnant. It had been the main reason for their short engagement. The idea her new sister-in-law might be expecting twins had never crossed her mind. While thrilled for the couple, she was glad it was Scott and Paige who were about to welcome twins into their lives and not her. She’d seen how much work Cooper could be, and he was just one child.
“They’ll be here with Cooper for a few days,” Marilyn added. “Assuming you and your sister aren’t busy, I thought we could have a family get-together. I will call Juliette later. Do you have plans for the weekend?”
One never knew what Juliette might be up to. “I’m supposed to have dinner with Addie and Trent Saturday night.”
“I know Paige and Scott plan to head home on Sunday, so I’ll see if your sister is available for brunch before they leave and get back to you. This morning you said you wanted to talk to me about something. What is it?” her mom asked.
Moistening her lips, Courtney prepared herself for whatever reaction she might receive. “I’m engaged. Actually, Josh and I have been since last month.” Somehow saying the words was easier this time around.
“Engaged? Josh who? And why haven’t your father and I met him?”
She’d assumed her mom never saw the pictures from Hawaii. Her statement seemed to confirm that fact. Either that, or Mom didn’t know J.T. was a stage name.
The first answer was on the tip of her tongue, but before she could speak, Marilyn continued.
“Engaged since last month and you’re only telling me now? I didn’t even know you were dating anyone.”
“We’ve been together since the summer. I wanted to keep our relationship out of the spotlight for as long as possible, so we didn’t tell anyone. If I hadn’t been sick on Christmas, I would have brought him by.”
She’d woken up Christmas morning with her throat on fire and a fever of 102. It’d been the first Christmas she hadn’t seen her parents. Still not 100 percent, she’d opted to skip the family’s New Year’s Eve party in Newport. At the time, she’d cursed her bad luck. Now, the fact she’d been sick helped sell the story.
“Do I know him?”
“You’ve met his brother, Evan Williamson. He participated in the bachelor auction. And you’ve probably seen Josh in movies. He goes by J.T. Williamson.”
Recognition spread across Marilyn’s face. “The actor from Over The Edge?”
Did she have to make the word actor sound so distasteful?
“Doesn’t he have a reputation of being, well... you know, a player?”
They might be in a fake relationship, but she still felt the need to defend Josh. “We both know people can change, Mom. I know you love Trent, but even you have to admit his reputation was just as bad before he met Addie. Jake wasn’t a saint either.”
“You’re right,” her mom conceded, folding her hands in her lap. “Still, it would have been nice if your father and I met him before he proposed. Since your brother will be here, let us plan to get together this weekend even if your sister can’t come so we can meet him.”
She hated canceling on Addie, but the sooner she made the introduction and soothed her mom’s hurt feelings the better. Courtney knew Addie would understand. “I’ll reschedule with Addie and Trent. Josh and I will be by on Saturday night.”
“Perfect. Hopefully, your sister can make it too.” Mom picked up the coffee she’d carried over with her but hadn’t touched since sitting down. “Have you discussed a wedding date? Personally, I think a summer or spring wedding would be better. Less chance of the weather causing problems.”
And now came perhaps the worst part of the conversation. “February 1. I plan to ask Uncle Mark to perform the ceremony.”
“Winter weddings can be beautiful too. Next February gives us more than a year to plan. And by then the election will be over, so it’ll be more likely that Warren and Elizabeth can attend.”
As much as she’d love her uncle Warren and aunt Elizabeth to be at the wedding, even if he wasn’t in the middle of campaigning, the chances of him making it on such short notice were slim.
“We’ll want to start looking for a dress soon. Do you think you’ll have the wedding and reception at Cliff House?”
More than one of her cousins had used the family mansion, which currently belonged to her uncle Warren, in Newport for their weddings. Honestly though, she hadn’t spent a single moment thinking about the where yet. She’d been far too busy concentrating on the conversation she was currently having. Tonight she’d bring up the matter with Josh.
“Mom, we’re getting married this February, not next year.”
The cup hit the table with a thud and some coffee sloshed over the side. “Are you pregnant?”
If she said yes, it might help her mom accept the short engagement. In a few months though, when it became obvious she wasn’t expecting, she’d have a much bigger issue on her hands. “No.”
“Then what’s the rush? It takes at least six months to plan a decent wedding.”