Page 83 of The Prince Who Loved Me

“Oh, call me Pat. Everyone does.” She skimmed the menu. “What’s good here?”

“The bacon.” Brandi passed the plate over.

“Pat and I met last night when I went to get some ice,” Carolann said. “We started chatting about our daughters, so we went to the bar to keep talking. Everyone there was so interested in us. And you, baby. They kept buying us drinks, so we kept talking. We had a great time.” Carolann finished the statement with a satisfied smirk that made the coffee turn over in Brandi’s belly.

“Mom.” Brandi used the one word to convey a warning.

“It’s fine, baby. Everyone was so enthralled with Fountenoy Hall, they’d said they’d be making reservations.”

“We’re just two old girls having fun, that’s all.” Pat leaned forward, her fingers folded together. “I hear you’ve moved up in the dating world. A prince, how exciting.”

Brandi’s food arrived, but the smell of the eggs twisted inher gut. She rubbed her thumb against her finger as she flicked her eyes to Pat, who gave off a casual air as she sipped some coffee. Brandi had cultivated an ability to suss out how men responded to her, but her skills with women were non-existent.

“I’ve told Pat how long you’ve known Sebastien.”

“I’m impressed that you’ve managed to string him along for this long.” Pat toasted her with her coffee mug. “You’ve accomplished what we all aspire to, and now you get to reap the benefits. What are you going for? I bet you can get him to buy you all sorts of things.”

Seems Carolann has found a kindred spirit. Brandi ground her teeth as she pushed her plate away. “I’m going for a relationship based on mutual respect and understanding.”

It was like she hadn’t even spoken. “She’s not signing a prenup, I’ll tell you that much.” Carolann patted Brandi’s hand with indulgent affection. “I taught her well.”

“You’re already engaged?” Pat’s expression lit up with delight and she clapped her hands. “You’ve only been dating for a little while. Way to go, Brandi!”

“Right. Because I scrupulously planned the last ten years to snag my closest friend into marriage.” A few years ago she couldn’t even plan when to do laundry.

Pat laughed as if Brandi had made the best joke in the world.

Brandi stood up and caught the attention of the waitstaff. If Carolann and Pat were suddenly best friends, surely she wouldn’t mind a glimpse into her mom’s life. “Mom, I’ll send you a repayment contract later. I’m going back to my room.”

“I adored meeting you so much.” Pat nibbled on a piece of bacon, her eyes bright.

“Don’t worry about the bill, baby. I already charged it to my room. All of it.” Carolann grinned at Pat and the two of them erupted into giggles. “Your man is taking care of me and my newfriends.” She waved around the restaurant. Other diners waved back or lifted their glasses to her.

Suddenly Brandi didn’t want her money back. Didn’t want this conversation, didn’t want any reason to see her mother again, not when they had a toxic relationship cleverly hidden behind the title mother and daughter. Carolann probably didn’t even recognize the damage she’d caused. Or she didn’t care.

“Enjoy your new friends, Mom. We’re done.” A wave of grief she didn’t expect swept over her. The loss had always been there, but Brandi never acknowledged it.

“You barely ate.” Carolann hopped up and grabbed her purse. “What’s next on our agenda? A late morning at the spa?”

“You do whatever you like. But don’t come near me. Don’t call.” The words came out so easily. They were freeing. “You’ve never been a mother to me and seeing you now only because I’m with Sebastien? Keep the damn money. Just…stay away from me.”

Carolann’s eyes narrowed into slits a moment before she burst into wild tears. “It’s my childhood home! What kind of daughter banishes her mother?” Her body quaked with exaggerated sobs, but she snuck a peek at Pat first. “You can’t keep me away from Fountenoy Hall, Brandilynn.”

Like Wendy would side with Carolann if she came to visit. “Is it your home? Is it? When was the last time you were there for more than four hours? You came twice in the past year, and both times because it involved money.” Brandi stared at her weepy mother, strangely unmoved. “Well, now you have your money. I hope it was worth it.”

***

Sebastien turned onto the three-quarter mile drive that led to the Hall and parked behind the building. Massimo andLoïc pulled in next to him and immediately got out of their car and went to his, waiting patiently.

The ride home had been quiet, subdued, even. Brandi had told him breakfast hadn’t gone as well as she’d hoped. Her tone was strained. She had more to tell, but he wasn’t going to push her.

She didn’t move after he turned off the ignition, her hands folded in her lap and her head down. “I’m so sorry about all of this.”

“Hey.” He put his hands on her shoulders. “Your mom hasn’t changed at all over the times I’ve met her. But you’re not your mom. Like I’m not my father. Don’t ever apologize for who you are.”

“I know, but she’s—”

He stopped her with a kiss, pouring his soul into it. Eventually her tightened muscles loosened, and she curled her hands over the nape of his neck, playing with his hair.