Just One Scandal (The Kingston Family #2) -Carly Phillips Page 0,24

interested in the story.

Chloe wrapped her hands around the mug and shook her head. “He found Aurora. Suffice it to say my father paid her mother to live a fun lifestyle while she left her daughter in foster care. And before you ask, yes, my father knew and left her there, too.” Her throat swelled as she told the bare basics of her sister’s story, which was so sad it broke Chloe’s heart.

As if he understood, Beck reached out and squeezed her hand. “I’m sorry.”

The warmth of his touch sizzled through her, and it was all she could do not to lean into him. “Thank you.” She managed a smile. “But when Linc found out about her, he did everything he could to find her and convince her to come to New York with him. And when he finally tracked her down, he discovered a very pregnant young girl.” Chloe shrugged. “And here we are.”

Beck let out a low whistle. “She’s lucky Linc found her.”

“At the time, she’d just started to get her life together, but we’re all happy she decided to come to New York and get to know us,” she said.

He smiled. “I could tell how you felt when I saw you two together.” He drummed his fingers on the counter and lines appeared on his forehead, letting her know his mind was drifting back to worry about his own family.

Before she could come up with another topic of conversation, he spoke. “So what else have you been doing to keep busy while I’m at work? Have you gotten out of the house at all?”

She forced a smile. Like Aurora, she didn’t want Beck to be concerned about her, so she placated him the best she could. “I’m keeping busy,” she said vaguely, and when she caught the disappointed look in his eyes, she knew she had to elaborate. She just wouldn’t include telling him about her contest entry.

“I did the same things as usual. I watched television, read a book, and checked out social media, ignoring the gossip sites. And no, I didn’t go out. There’s nothing I really need right now.”

She hated being part of a family that generated interest, but wealth tended to do that. Although Linc and Jordan’s engagement had hit the media, her pregnancy was still under wraps, and they planned on an intimate ceremony soon. They hadn’t wanted to upstage Chloe’s wedding by marrying quickly.

“I get ignoring the gossip shit. Nobody deserves to be put under a microscope.” He glanced away then asked, “Are you okay? About what happened with the wedding?” It was the first time he’d asked her about her emotional state, and she couldn’t help but be honest.

She ran her finger around the rim of her mug. “I’m sad about losing the life I thought I wanted. I’m not upset about Owen. I’m better off without him.”

He grinned. “Glad to hear it. That’s an important distinction to make. It’ll help you heal quicker.”

She nodded.

“What about going back to work for Linc? Wasn’t your honeymoon a week?” he asked.

“Two weeks. Nobody expects me back yet.” And now that she’d entered the contest, she wanted to perfect her submission.

“Aren’t you getting bored at home?” He took a drink of his coffee, and her gaze was drawn to his soft-looking lips. Lips that had kissed her with talent and expertise, arousing her beyond belief.

“Chloe?” he asked.

Caught staring and knowing what she’d been remembering, she shook her head and hoped she wasn’t blushing. “I’m fine. Taking some rest and relaxation is good for me. Just like a honeymoon, huh?”

The ring of Beck’s phone interrupted any possible reply.

Shooting her an apologetic glance, he answered, obviously eager. “Mom. What’s going on?”

Chloe gripped her mug tight as he listened to whatever his mom had to say, praying for good news. She couldn’t decipher much from the grunts and uh-uhs she heard.

“Okay, Mom. I get it. I love you and tell Dad the same. I’ll check in later.” He listened some more and then said, “I’m fine. I swear. I’ll talk to you soon.” He disconnected the call and met Chloe’s gaze, his own expression somber.

“Well?”

He expelled a deep breath of air. “They found some polyps and sent them out for biopsies. We have to wait for answers.”

She nodded. “Okay, so no news is good news, right?”

Jaw set, he shrugged. “I guess we’ll see. I’ve learned not to trust what a doctor promises. You never know what will happen.”

She narrowed her gaze, wondering what had made him