wanted to fit in with her family, and her mom had asked him to do something. He’d wanted to show her that together they could get through everything.
Now all he could see was her past, and it was definitely clouding up their future.
Pamela made her way across the green lawn, her heels not holding her back for a second. She was in a stunning cocktail dress that looked a bit out of place with the rustic charm of his sister’s entertainment space. Her hair was in an elaborate updo and her makeup flawlessly done. All she was missing was a tiara because she was obviously dressed to be the queen of this party. “Come on and say hi. He came all this way, Roxanne. Now, don’t be rude.”
“Nobody asked me if I wanted a surprise,” Roxie said in a quiet voice that let him know how upset she was.
“Well, it wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you about it.” Her mother’s mouth became a flat line of irritation as her voice went low. “Can’t you be gracious? Didn’t I teach you better than this?”
“We can walk right now,” Zep offered since she hadn’t replied the first time.
She glanced up and her expression shuttered. “Oh, no. I think I should definitely find out why my mother thinks springing my ex-husband on me is an appropriate birthday gift.”
Joel strode up with the confidence of a man used to respect from those around him. “Roxanne. It’s good to see you. It’s been a long time. This is . . . a very interesting place you’ve landed.”
“What are you doing here?” Roxie asked in a blunt manner, though there was a friction to her words that was unusual.
“Why don’t we get you a drink, dear.” Her mother acted like there was nothing at all wrong. The smile on her face was back the minute she realized her ex-son-in-law had joined them. “It’s your birthday, and that is a very special day for both of us. I had our host make your favorite. A beautiful rack of lamb.”
“I don’t like lamb, Mom. I haven’t since I was a kid. You like lamb.” Roxie’s shoulders were straight as an arrow. She looked over to where Armie stood with his wife. “Is this what you were talking about earlier today?”
“I spoke to him on the phone. I didn’t know he was actually here in town,” Armie admitted.
Her ex-husband had called Armie? He was confused and the feeling unnerved him. Something had been in play for a while now, and he and Roxanne had been on the outside.
“I told you she wasn’t going to take this the way you thought she would.” Brian stood to the side with his fiancée. “And just for the record, I do enjoy a good rack of lamb, and the one in the kitchen smells delicious.”
It was good to know her brother was on top of things. Zep was at a loss. Should he scoop her up and take her out of here? Hold her hand and help her through it, despite the fact that she’d completely shut down and distanced from him?
“Oh, Roxanne.” Her father stepped in. “Don’t be difficult. This is exactly what got you in trouble in the first place.”
“I was hoping that I would be a pleasant surprise. I have to admit that I was looking forward to seeing you again.” Joel stared at her with a curious expression on his face. “I would have thought after all this time that you would have forgiven me. The fact that you have such an emotional response is interesting. Perhaps we should talk.”
“Or we can leave.” Zep didn’t want her being forced to talk to her ex. He wasn’t about to stand by and let her family bully her.
“No, I definitely think we should talk,” Roxanne agreed, her eyes on Joel. “Why don’t we go into the library. If I recall, that’s where Sera keeps the booze. I definitely could use a drink.”
“It’s good to know you haven’t changed your habits,” Joel said with a wistful smile on his face. “I might have brought a bottle of your favorite Scotch along as a gift. And I knew you didn’t like lamb.”
Pamela shook her head, looking genuinely confused. “She always loved it as a child.”
Tony put a hand on his wife’s shoulder. “I guess her tastes have changed, dear. You know that can happen as a child grows up. We just have to hope her good sense hasn’t changed.”