The waiter arrived with Allie’s tea, giving her a few precious moments to collect her thoughts. Denial was pointless. Her mother had obviously seen her in the box with Hudson. The only question that remained was how much had she seen. Her stomach rolled at the thought. Keep it together, Allie. All she had to do was drink her tea, make a bit of small talk, and get the hell out of there.
“Very much so.” Allie reached for the small dish of honey, just as she had on countless other afternoons. Only this time there was a small tremor in her hand as she dabbed a spoonful into her tea. Hopefully her mother hadn’t noticed. “I was invited by one of the foundation’s patrons. I met him at the museum gala last month.”
“Yes, I saw you dancing with him that night.”
Was there anything this woman missed? “He’s new in town and asked me to be his guest. You know how disappointed I was to discover Julian had forgotten to get tickets. Plus, I thought this would allow me the opportunity to discuss the work we do at Better Start in greater detail, possibly secure another donation.” Allie paused, suddenly aware her words were coming out in a high-pitched rushed. She drew a calming breath through her nose. “We never would have reached our initial goal without his pledge.”
“I’m well aware of the generous check Mr. Chase wrote.”
She knows his name? “You are?”
“I make it my business to know who all the major players are, Alessandra, and I’m not only referring to the foundation.”
The waiter set a three-tiered, sterling silver stand on the table between them. Each level held a china plate displaying an array of finger sandwiches, fruit breads, scones, and French pastries. He hesitated for an awkward moment before hightailing it to the kitchen. Lucky bastard.
“I just love this place. It has so much more character than those new flashy hotels they’re building these days.” Her mother helped herself to a delicate offering of cucumber and tomato on crustless bread, but didn’t bother taking a bite. Instead she placed the small sandwich on her plate and lifted her chin. “There’s no substitute for lineage, Alessandra. You’ll do well to remember that. A few lucky investments do not put that man in the same class as Julian.”
“There’s also something to be said for respecting a self-made man, Mother. Some people aren’t fortunate enough to be born with a title or family fortune. They have to work hard for what they want in life. Everything Hudson Chase has was earned, not inherited.”
Victoria’s nostrils flared ever so slightly. “That’s quite a passionate defense of someone who’s merely a donor.” She leaned closer, her voice a lethal whisper. “Don’t think you can play me for a fool, young lady. You’re hardly the first woman to enjoy a walk on the wild side, Alessandra.” Her hand smoothed an already immaculate French twist. “Lord knows Paolo brightened more than a few of my afternoons.”
Who the hell was Paolo? Allie’s mind raced, processing information before screeching to a dizzying halt as the face of her childhood tennis instructor flashed before her eyes. “The tennis pro?”
Her mother arched a single brow. “His private lessons did wonders for my swing, but I would have never let him escort me to a social event.”
Allie’s heart sank at the realization that her mother was a walking, talking cliché. Her voice wavered when she asked, “Does Daddy know?”
“Your father and I reached an understanding years ago. This is the world we live in, Alessandra, but you’re hardly in a position to expect that sort of latitude.” Victoria’s eyes flicked down to the ring on Allie’s finger. “Wait till you’re wearing his wedding band, have given him an heir to the family title—but even then you must learn to be discreet. Men are willing to overlook certain . . . hobbies, as long as their needs are met. But no man will tolerate the sort of embarrassing display you put on last night.”
Every muscle in Allie’s body tensed as she wondered exactly how much her mother had seen. The balcony wall would have shielded Hudson’s hand from view. And her wrap had been across her lap. Had she caught a glimpse of them behind the curtain? Oh God. Allie thought she might be sick.
“Honestly, it was nothing short of a miracle Elizabeth didn’t see the way you were looking at that man last night.”
All she saw was a few heated glances? Allie would have exhaled in relief if it weren’t for her mother’s piercing stare.
“I won’t be humiliated by your indiscretions, Alessandra.”
The waiter eased toward their table. Victoria gave him a tight smile and asked for the check before turning her attention back to Allie. “I think this will be a lovely location for cocktails, don’t you agree?”
Allie’s brow knit together. “Cocktails?”
Her mother gave a small nod and took another sip of tea. “Yes, before the reception. They clear the couches and chairs out of the way and bring in a few high-top tables. Of course we’ll have them draped in silk, dress them up with votives and fresh flowers. The catering manager suggested a pasta bar or a carving station, but I went with passed hors d’oeuvres. Silver trays and white gloves are so much more elegant than a line forming in the corner. This is the Drake, not the Sizzler, for heaven’s sake.”
Victoria continued to describe her vision of the perfect wedding reception. Staring straight ahead, Allie noticed she had a clear view of the doors to the ballroom in the distance. The words “Gold Coast Room” seemed to float over her mother’s head as she covered everything from the height of the centerpieces to the size of the dance floor. Every detail had been carefully planned, right down to the location of their meeting.
Allie listened without really hearing, somehow managing to nod at the appropriate moments. She rubbed her palms on the velvet couch. Where the hell was the waiter with that check?
She made her escape as soon as the bill was paid, practically running down the stairs. The gust of fresh air was a welcome relief until she looked across the street at the entrance to the Palmolive building. Her chest tightened. She had to end things with Hudson. Postponing the inevitable was getting them nowhere, and it was only going to be harder the more time she spent with him. And now that her mother was suspicious. . . .
“Taxi?” the doorman asked.
“Yes, please.” Her phone pinged with a text and she looked down at the screen.
It was from Hudson. Cleared my schedule. Early dinner at my place?
Only four thirty and Hudson was willing to ditch work. For her. She glanced up at his building. Was he already there, waiting?
“Ma’am?”
She turned to find the doorman holding open a taxi door.
“Still want the cab?”
Allie looked back at her phone and quickly typed a reply. Can’t. Lots of work. Call you later.
Without looking up, she pressed Send and ducked into the cab.
Chapter Twenty-seven
“Drink this. You look like you need it.” Hudson offered Allie a squat glass. She shook her head and continued her pacing from the fireplace to the couch, looping back for a scenic route along the windows. “Then I need it, because I have a feeling I’m not going to like whatever it is you have to say.”
“I can’t keep running over here with my toothbrush and a pair of panties in my purse.”
“I’d offer you a drawer, but that’s not the issue, is it?” When there was nothing but silence, he continued. “This is when you tell me what’s really going on.” Hudson took a long drink from his glass, his throat working on a swallow. He tracked her movements, willing to go all in that this had something to do with the horseshit text she sent him about having to work late. “Spill it.”