Page 32 of Nothing to Tell

Carolyn didn’t seem like the fangirl type.

“Our charitable work overlaps.”

Charity?She got that.People from all walks of life contributed to charitable causes.From volunteers making minimum wage through to the upper echelons of society donating billions.Charity was a great equalizer.And it was a big part of her work too.At a certain level, anyway.

“Good cover for meeting too,” Roxie said.“If Bastian asks, this is about Lola’s Liberty.”

THIRTEEN

ROXIE’S ATTENTION WENT to Carolyn.“Did you talk to Tripp about repping Lighting Darkness?”

“I don’t think he’s in the country at the moment.”

“As long as he’s on the planet, his mom is happy.That’s what he says.”

Tripp… Wait, Lola’s Liberty—ah-ha!

“You married Zairn Lomond,” Harper said, interrupting when clarity smacked her.

“Against my better judgment.I was drunk at the time,” Roxie joked.Was it a joke?“He has naked pictures and threatened to leak them to the press.What choice did I have?”

She did know this woman.Not know her, but how…?

“Crimson is the hottest ticket in town.”

“If you ever want in, give me a call.”

Ha, yeah, right.Organizing events may be her thing, but not on the level of Crimson and Zairn Lomond.Carolyn had interesting connections.Yet another reason she should tell the truth.

Bastian wouldn’t like her lying to his mother.Not in such a direct and—could be interpreted as—self-serving way.This could be exploited by some as a back door into a world she had no chance of getting a foothold in without this networking opportunity.

Carolyn was ready for her son to settle down.He’d told her as much himself and the woman made no secret of it in person.Leading her on was cruel.The only way to approach this without being abrupt was to play down their relationship.Let the mother know, they weren’t serious, that they had no future.Be vague, non-committal, subtle in her creeping retreat.

That would open a path for Bastian to reveal the truth.

“Mrs.Hunt—”

“I told you to call me Carolyn.Please,” she said, sitting back a little as servers came to pour tea.Tea?Actual tea in a pot with teacups and everything.“You look well, Harper.Are you over the worst of your injuries?”

Injuries?Oh, the mugging, the last time they’d seen each other.“Yes—”

“My Bastian looked after Harper,” Carolyn said.“After she was mugged.”

“Oh my God,” Roxie exclaimed.“You were—do you want security?You should have security.Have some of mine, I have plenty spares lying around.Did the mugger take anything important?”

“Nothing,” Carolyn said.“Harper fought back.”

“Go, you, girl.”Roxie’s nod was impressed.“You’re not from Chicago, are you?”

“No.”Was that important?“I just… what gave him the right?”

Picking up her teacup, Roxie gestured.“I like her.”

“As does my Bastian—sorry, I suppose he’s not my Bastian anymore is he,” Carolyn said, wearing a private smile.“He’s yours.”

Ouch, Harper winced.This was going to be harder than she’d hoped.“Carolyn—”

“He cares for you a great deal,” Carolyn said.“I wouldn’t want to make you uncomfortable, Harper, but…” The older woman turned her address to Roxie.“I’ve never seen him that frantic over a woman before.”