looked at him, her eyes narrowed. “You heard?”
“I did.”
She waved the magazine. “Being invited to be a featured home is a huge honor. I can’t imagine what Margot was thinking to say you wouldn’t be interested.” Her gaze was pointed.
“I’m sorry,” he began.
“No!” His mother glared at him. “Alec, you will not refuse them. How can you not want recognition for your beautiful house? And the treasure should be seen by all. Not that I would have known about it from you or Margot. I had to hear about it when I ran into that Cardinal who visited and he only told me because I asked what he was doing here.”
Alec grimaced. “When you say you ‘ran into him’ you mean—”
“Oh for heaven’s sake. I parked next to him. I didn’t actually hit him. You are more annoying than usual today. You have a beautiful house and you found some fabulous artifacts that you are returning to the Catholic church and you won’t let one measly little writer in here to talk about it and take some pictures?”
“Mother, this is my home and it’s private.”
“So you’re taking her side over mine? I am so disappointed in you.”
“I’m not taking anyone’s side. I’m telling you what I want, and you shouldn’t be surprised. You know how I value my privacy.”
She sniffed. “I thought I could count on you. I thought we were a team. I should have known that one a day a woman would rip us apart, leaving us with nothing.”
Later he would mull over the fact that Margot knew him as well as she did, and that she had stood up for him, but right now he had a very angry, possibly hurt woman standing in front of him. He thought of a dozen responses, casting each of them aside. There was no way to convince Bianca he hadn’t deliberately set out to disappoint her. And saying that her reaction to his refusal was over-the-top wouldn’t help, either. Since when were they a—
He replayed the words in his mind, then hid a smile.
“‘I should have known that one day a woman would rip us apart, leaving us with nothing’?” he asked. “What movie is that line from? It’s familiar, but I can’t place it.”
She turned away. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Gardens of Snow. That’s it, isn’t it?”
Bianca’s choices in movie roles had never been conventional or expected. She’d played a lesbian in Gardens of Snow decades ago, long before that lifestyle had gained much acceptance.
“It’s what you said to your partner when you found out she was cheating on you.”
The glare returned. “Your excellent memory is annoying and inconvenient.”
“Too bad.” He put his hands on her shoulders and kissed her forehead. “I love you, but there will be no photo shoot.”
“You never let me have any fun.”
“By now you should be used to that.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Sunshine finished getting ready for her girls’ night out with Phoebe. Despite liking the idea of having more friends in her life, she would really have preferred to stay home. Her tutoring sessions with Ann were starting to make a big difference and she wanted to go over her homework again. There was also the fact that she still had to wear a large bandage on her hand. But she’d promised to be there when Phoebe had texted to confirm and remind Sunshine “to wear something pretty so they could both feel special.”
Right on time, Sunshine walked into the Italian bistro in downtown Pasadena. Phoebe had said she would be waiting in the bar. Sunshine looked around, spotted Phoebe, then froze when she saw the other woman sitting at a table with two guys.
What on earth? Why would Phoebe be with two guys? Sunshine had assumed the evening out was a ruse so Phoebe could find out what was going on with Declan. She’d expected to be grilled and possibly to have to deal with tears.
Phoebe saw her, stood and hurried to greet her.
“Don’t be mad,” she said by way of greeting. “I know I said girls’ night out, but a double date will be more fun. It’s not like you’re seeing anyone.”
“Didn’t Declan tell you I was in a relationship?” She’d told him to mention that on his date with Phoebe.
“Maybe. I don’t remember. You just didn’t seem like you were.”
“But I thought you wanted to hang out so you could ask me about Declan.”
Phoebe dismissed that thought with a wave. “We had a night, it was great and then