Page 12 of The Problem with Playboys

Four

Chloe did not manage to escape Manhattan on Parker’s private jet undetected. Mere seconds after they took their seats on the plane, her phone rang. “Mom. Hi,” she said when she answered. “I’m so sorry, but I can’t talk right now. Can I call you back later?”

“I only need you for a minute.”

Parker, who was seated across from her, quirked an eyebrow.Mom?he mouthed.

Chloe fluttered a hand in his direction, discouraging his attempted participation in her conversation. She shifted in the luxe white leather seat, noticing how uncommonly comfortable it was. She was used to luxury, but Parker definitely went with the very best of the best. “Okay.”

“You haven’t called in days.”

A wave of that old familiar guilt hit her, probably because she hadn’t called her mom on purpose. She hadn’t wanted to face the inevitable questions about what she was working on, and that would have led straight to her involvement with Parker. “I know. I’m sorry.”

“I wanted you to know it’s all over. It’s done. All ties have been cut.”

“The divorce from George?”

Parker cleared his throat. Chloe thought about kicking him in the shin, but she didn’t want to give him an excuse to insert himself into her call with her mom.

“Please don’t say his name. I don’t want to think about him or anything having to do with him. He’s terrible. One of the worst decisions I’ve made in my life.”

Right there was confirmation of Chloe’s theory about how her mom would react to any man with the last name Sullivan. “I’m sorry. Try to think of it as a good thing. You have a clean slate now. You’re a free woman. Maybe you should try staying that way for a while.”

“I need to go to Paris and drown my sorrows in designer clothes and too many croissants. But I don’t want to go alone. Please come with me.”

“Mom, I can’t. I just got on a plane for a work trip. We’re about to take off. You should go have fun and text me pictures.”

“Where are you off to?”

“Miami.”

“That’s perfect,” her mother squealed. “I’ll fly down there. We can spend time together when you’re done working.”

Chloe’s heart broke out into a full-on sprint. She didn’t want to disappoint her mom, and it did sound like fun, but that was way too close for comfort. “No. Don’t.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m only there for one night. I’m just walking a client through a few interviews and then I’ll be back in the city.”

Her mother sighed. “Are you sure I can’t come?”

“It’s not that I don’t want you to. I just can’t be here for that long.”

“Okay, darling. Well, I’d like to see you. Maybe I can have you and the girls over for Sunday brunch. That would be really nice for me.”

“The girls” meant Taylor and Alexandra. Chloe’s mom had been hosting them for Sunday brunch since summer vacations when the three friends were in their late teens. “Does that mean you aren’t going to Paris?”

“It’s no fun alone.”

“Sunday brunch it is. The usual time?”

“Yes.”

“It’s a date. I’ll text Taylor and Alex.”

“Perfect. I love you.”

“Love you, too.” Chloe ended the call and exhaled, then switched her phone to airplane mode.