Faked - Karla Sorensen Page 0,34

housekeeper popped her head in. "Dinner will be served in about fifteen minutes if you'd like to join the rest of the party downstairs."

"We'll be right down," I told her.

After the door closed, Claire flopped back on the bed and covered her face with her hands. "This is insane."

"You know what's insane? You could fit fifteen of you in that bed and there'd still be room."

She sat up, and her hair, shiny and dark, slid out of its ponytail. "True. Which means I'll sleep very well tonight," she said primly.

I gestured to the door. "Let's go, princess. I know you're excited."

When she hopped off the bed, fixing her ponytail as she walked, my hand hovered over her back as we left the room. It wanted to fall to that curve, the one just at the hem of her shirt, but I tucked my arm back into my side.

My parents were waiting expectantly at a monstrosity of a formal dining table, the kind that could easily seat twelve people.

"Sweetie," Adele said in greeting, leaning in to kiss Claire's cheek. "Just be yourself," she whispered. "But, you know ... answer to Lia."

Claire gave her a weak smile. "Got it."

Richard joined us, handing Adele and my dad full glasses of wine. "What do you think of my humble abode?"

"It's astounding," I told him seriously. "I've never seen anything like it."

He puffed up like a peacock as Claire echoed the sentiment.

"I'd spend all my time here if I could," he said. "I feel like a king."

I nodded. "Understandable."

Adele gave me a warning look, and my dad swiped a hand over his mouth.

We sat for dinner, Claire to my right, and when she almost knocked over her water glass pulling her chair closer to the table, I laid a hand on her thigh and squeezed.

I gave her an encouraging smile, which she returned weakly.

Richard, from his gilded, ornate chair at the head of the table, caught the gesture and winked at us.

"So, Bauer, what's this nonsense about you losing your sponsorship? You were spectacular at your past few events."

Adele's face turned a pasty shade of white that I was the first up in Richard's eyes. I swallowed, giving the housekeeper a smile as she set some bread and soup in front of me and Claire.

"Oh, I don't know if that's enjoyable dinnertime conversation, sir."

It certainly wasn't for me because I'd be scrambling to regain any sort of competitive traction without a primary sponsor. Scotty was working on it, but this crowd was the last one I wanted to dissect it with. Especially in front of Adele.

"It's such a fickle career," Adele interjected. "So stressful for the whole family, really."

I raised my eyebrows at her. "Yes. I can't imagine how helpless you must feel. You can help all these kids who need you at the center, but your son is beyond your reach."

Claire pressed her foot on top of mine under the table.

Richard smiled between us, completely oblivious. "My parents wrote me off long ago," he said. "You're fortunate to have a family who cares that much."

My answering nod was grave. "Indeed I am."

"Speaking of the center," Richard said between sips of the soup, "why don't you tell me a bit about it, Adele?"

She let out a relieved breath. "I'd love to."

And that set the tone for the rest of the three-course dinner. Richard and Adele dominated the conversation with occasional interjections from my father as necessary.

Claire watched it all unfold thoughtfully, nodding a few times when Adele would say something about the positive impact a place like the center could have on children who wouldn't normally have the opportunities.

"You're quiet, Miss Ward," Richard said, a bit more astute than I'd given him credit for.

She smiled, and I stretched my arm behind her chair. Her hair brushed against my hand, and against my better judgment, I toyed with the silky ends.

"Not much to add, I guess."

"Oh, I find that hard to believe. This is the same young woman who took a simple picture and about made a grown man cry at what she observed in it."

I twirled her hair over my knuckle, and Claire shivered. "Umm, well, Adele and Robert have done such a thorough job, I can't imagine what I'd be able to contribute."

"But you think their reach could be greater," he said. "Help more kids."

She inhaled quietly before she answered. "I think there are a lot of philanthropic endeavors that fall into that category. Services for underserved youth need to be talked about; they