She paused and drew a deep breath. “But what I’m trying to say is that the love you guys have for each other is strong but so is the respect.” Respect her family hadn’t had for one another. Her parents, anyway. “Trust your parents to tell you the truth and gain strength from their optimism.”
His hands curled around the wheel, his knuckles turning white. “That’s easy to say but harder to do when I was given every reason to believe Whitney would survive only to lose her despite the positive outlook.”
She closed her eyes and sighed. He was a stubborn man with a very valid point, and she didn’t know how else to get through to him.
“But Chloe?” He turned toward her before looking back at the road.
“Hmm?”
He reached over and placed his hand over hers. “I appreciate you telling me about your parents, and I know you’re just trying to help.”
She was. Too bad it wouldn’t help him open his heart any time in the near future.
He turned into a driveway of a large colonial-style home in a modern neighborhood that looked fairly new. Since Beck had grown up in the Bronx, she knew this home was one he and his brothers must have helped them buy. The Daniels brothers were good men.
Beck cut the engine. “Ready?”
She picked up the pie from the floor in front of her. Her purse was already hooked on her arm and she met his gaze. “Let’s do this.”
He winked at her, causing her stomach to tumble over. He’d probably meant to calm her. He’d just reminded her of how easily she was falling for him instead. Shoving that thought out of her head, she climbed out of the car, letting him help her, and followed him up the path to meet his parents.
His mom, a pretty woman with wavy light brown hair and Beck’s green eyes, greeted them at the door. Introductions were made while his mother fawned over her son. She led them into the house, which had a modern décor, and they ended up in the kitchen, also modern with gorgeous stainless steel appliances.
She took the pie out of Chloe’s hands and put it on the counter and proceeded to pull her into a hug. “I’m so glad you could join us.”
A loud sound of a man clearing his throat startled Chloe, and she spun to see a handsome man, an older version of Beck, studying her intently. “I’m Kurt Daniels,” he said.
“This is Chloe, Dad.”
He nodded, his gaze zeroed in on her face.
“Kurt, stop staring. You’re being rude,” his mom, who’d insisted Chloe call her Audrey, said to her husband.
He shrugged, not looking sorry. “It’s just that she looks familiar,” he said. “You said your name’s Chloe, right?”
She nodded. “Chloe Kingston.”
Audrey’s eyes opened wide. “Are you Linc Kingston’s sister?”
Chloe nodded. Beside her, Beck stiffened.
“I remember him from your college years,” she said to Beck. “You were roommates, and then at some point, you stopped mentioning him.”
“Things happened,” Beck muttered. “Dad, want to go watch some television?” He was obviously eager to change the subject.
Chloe was still in the dark about her brother and Beck’s history, something she intended to change as soon as she had time alone with Linc, and it was time for her to do just that.
Suddenly Kurt snapped his fingers. “I know why you look familiar to me. You’re the jilted bride! TMZ and Page Six had photos.”
Chloe felt her face begin to flush and grow hot. Though she’d known those articles existed, she hadn’t thought people would pay much attention, let alone recognize her.
“Dad!” Beck shot his father an annoyed look.
“I’m sorry, honey.” Audrey glanced at Chloe. “Kurt’s retirement has given him too much free time to pay attention to gossip on the internet.” She shook her head in dismay.
Chloe sighed. There was no way to avoid the truth. “That’s me. Beck helped me that first night, and he’s been my savior ever since.” She smiled up at him. “You raised a gentleman, Mrs.…” At the other woman’s scowl Chloe corrected herself. “I mean Audrey.”
“I didn’t mean to upset you,” Kurt said. “My wife is right. I spend way too much time surfing the internet and watching trash on TV. A part of me misses my job but my back won’t let me work anymore.” He placed a hand on his lower back and rubbed the area.
“What did you do before you retired?” Chloe asked. Beck had never said.
“I was a building inspector for the city,” he said, obviously proud of his occupation.
“Sounds interesting.” Before she could ask another question, Beck announced he and his father were going into the family room, but not before shooting Chloe a questioning look.
Was she okay? She could read his mind and offered him a nod and a smile.
She was great, as were his parents.
She and Audrey ended up in the kitchen. Dinner was already made, the table set, and all Chloe could do was sit on a stool by the counter and talk to Beck’s mom, though she had offered to help.
“So … you and my son.” Apparently Audrey was direct, which Chloe admired.
“We’re good friends. Like I said, he rescued me the night of my non-wedding and has been giving me a place to stay while I get back on my feet. He’s been very generous.” And that’s all a parent needed to know.
Audrey picked up the salad bowl and removed the foil covering the top. “That’s interesting because I’ve never known him to step up for a stranger. And even if he felt compelled to help you out the night of the wedding, having you move in? It’s not his typical personality, if you know what I mean.”
Chloe narrowed her gaze. “If you’re afraid I’m taking advantage of your son, I can assure you I’m not. I–” Before she could inform his mother she was helping with cooking and cleaning and doing whatever else she could around the loft, Audrey shook her head and rushed over.
“God, no. I didn’t mean it like that. Just the opposite, in fact. I’m telling you if my son is helping you out, he cares.” Audrey beamed at her observation.
She obviously wanted her son settled and happy and had no idea Beck had other plans.
It wasn’t Chloe’s place to tell his mother things about Beck he hadn’t explained himself. “As I mentioned, we’re good friends.”
“Well, Beck doesn’t have many of those, and he’s never moved a woman in before.” She rushed over to the refrigerator and opened the door. “Do you like creamy Italian dressing?” Audrey asked. “I also have vinaigrette, French…”
Head spinning, Chloe replied, “Creamy Italian is fine, thank you.” She opted to ignore his mother’s other comment. And since she didn’t mention her husband’s diagnosis or problems, Chloe didn’t either.
But in the few minutes she’d had with Beck’s mother, Chloe had a few observations. His mom was a bulldog, which showed Chloe where Beck got his determination in business to go after what he wanted. It explained how he was so successful so fast and all on his own.
She also tended to ignore the important things and push them aside like they weren’t happening … her husband’s illness, for example. And Chloe had no doubt if asked, Audrey would assure her that Kurt would be fine. She wouldn’t want to hear otherwise. Which explained why Beck was so frustrated and why he had a hard time deciphering truth from blind hope.