being caught in the middle. Either divorce Dad and put him out of his misery or sort this out if you want to. Either way, this limbo land you’ve both been existing in has got to stop.”
Lydia gaped. “Tell me what you really think.”
Harper blew out a shaky breath. “I haven’t wanted to get involved because your marriage hasn’t got anything to do with me. I love you both and I want you to be happy. And whatever the reason behind your shock separation, neither of you seem to be happy at all. Neither of you has moved on, which is pretty damn telling after so long, unless you’ve got feelings for each other still. In which case . . .” Harper shrugged. “Sort your shit out.”
The fact Lydia didn’t chastise her for cursing meant her mom had some serious stuff on her mind. After a long pause, Lydia’s shoulders slumped, and her mom had never slumped a day in her life, her posture as perfect as the rest of her.
“I’ll make us tea.”
Harper didn’t have the heart to say she didn’t want tea, she wanted to know what the hell was going on, but she followed Lydia into the kitchen.
“How did things finish up in New Zealand?”
“Good. The jobs in Auckland and Lake Taupo went well. You already know I met Jock McKell, and the owner of the hotels, Wayne Storr, e-mailed me on a job well done, so I’m hoping to get more work out of it. And I got some downtime in Lake Taupo to look around; it was great.”
Harper felt her cheeks heat at the memory of exactly how great things between her and Manny had been in Taupo, and her mom paused, halfway between setting out the china and spooning leaves into the pot.
Lydia’s eyes widened. “Did you meet someone?”
Busted.
Harper knew she’d have to give her mom something or Lydia wouldn’t let up.
“I ran into a friend over there actually. Total coincidence.”
“A good friend, going by the color of your cheeks.”
“I met him at Nishi’s wedding, and he ended up helping me out with my styling jobs over there.”
“Really? What does he do?”
Harper had hoped to leave Manny’s job out of it because she knew what would happen once she announced it. Lydia would book the nearest chapel and reception hall.
“He’s a doctor,” she murmured, not surprised when the teacup in her mom’s hand clattered against the saucer.
“Let me get this straight. He’s a doctor and he volunteered to play your assistant styling food?” Lydia beamed. “He’s got the hots for you, big-time.”
“Yeah, well, the feeling is mutual, because he’s incredibly hot.”
Harper fanned her face. Like it would do much. Every time she thought about gorgeous Manny naked, she overheated.
Her mom wolf whistled. “This is a very pleasing development, sweetheart. After that blasted Colin, I thought you’d sworn off men.”
“I could say the same about you, Mom.”
“Touché.”
The kettle whistled, and Lydia poured boiling water into the teapot and replaced the lid to let the tea steep.
“Are you going to see him again?”
“Maybe. Probably. He wants to.”
“But?”
“I’ve got a lot going on, what with this Storr job just finished and me needing to use it to boost my profile. My savings aren’t the best, and I’d like to change that fact.”
Lydia waved away her concern. “Your father and I can always help you out financially. But how often do you find a hot doctor?”
“Is the tea ready?”
Lydia shook her head and poured. “You deserve to be happy.”
“Once again, I could say the same about you.”
As her mom placed a cup of tea in front of her, Harper glimpsed vulnerability in her dart-away gaze. “I will talk to your father.”
“Good.” Harper took a sip of tea and sighed. Nobody brewed like her mom, and she could thank Lydia for her tea addiction over coffee. “Have you thought any more about opening your own salon like we discussed?”
“That’s one of the things I want to talk about with your father.” Her mom’s gaze drifted to the dining room and the many gift baskets on the table. “I know you won’t understand this because you’re too young, but when you live with someone for over three decades you become complacent. You get taken for granted. The resentment builds until one day you can’t take it anymore.”
“Is that what happened between you and Dad?”
“It’s more complicated than that.” Lydia gave a little shake of her head as if waking up from her musings. “Anyway, enough about me. Let’s get back