Mila shut her eyes briefly and took a long breath before stepping out of the hallway. Then, she made a beeline for a back exit to get some air. Having to be so guarded was exhausting. She couldn’t fathom why her mother enjoyed this so much.
She followed the brick path from a back door to a central courtyard and inhaled deeply.
Covered by darkness now, Mila felt safe to relax a little. No one else was out there and there was no spotlight on her.
Tiffany’s words and implications rattled her though she wasn’t trying to do anything. No one had said so explicitly, but Mila could guess that Tiffany and her brother were worried about Mila’s mother’s ambitions. They didn’t like her influence on their father. Mila was just guilty by association. She could understand where they were coming from, but it still got under her skin.
She wondered what her father would think of this if he was still alive. Would he be surprised by her mother’s decision? She had to admit, probably not.
A crunch behind her made Mila spin around in surprise.
“Sorry.” A man with dark brown hair and equally dark eyes smiled apologetically. “I didn’t realize you were in such deep thought.”
Mila hugged her body as the chilly night air swept over her. “It’s fine. I was about to head back inside anyway.”
He studied her a moment and recognition slowly registered on his face. “We haven’t met. I’m Maddox Cross.”
She hesitated though it was silly to worry about telling him her name. From the look on his face, he knew already. “Mila Nelson.”
They shook hands as he seemed to put the pieces together. “Of course. I thought I saw you before. You must be Angela’s daughter.”
That’s the one,Mila thought. She forced a smile. “Yes, I am.”
“Well, it’s nice to finally meet you. Your mother is very charming. I’d imagine you take after her.”
Mila met his eyes, which crinkled at the corners as he side-smiled. She supposed he imagined himself very charming, but she wasn’t feeling it. “I can’t really say.” Before this went any further or, even worse, Tiffany spotted them talking, Mila decided it was time to go. “It was nice to meet you, but I need to get back inside.”
If he felt put out, he didn’t show it. “I’m sure we’ll meet again soon.”
Mila smiled slightly and walked around him. Maddox Cross followed and opened one of the doors for her. Mila nodded her thanks and hurried to gain distance from him.
But she didn’t gain enough.
When she was alone with her mother in the car on their way to the hotel where her mother was staying, her mother asked, “Did I see you walk back inside earlier with Maddox Cross?”
Mila did not want to answer that question. “Why?”
“What were you doing outside together?” her mother asked eagerly as she took Mila’s arm. Her mother’s fair hair and blue eyes were a contrast to the black faux fur wrapped around her. Mila had taken after her father with deep brown and wavy locks and warm eyes.
“Nothing.” Mila was relieved the conversation with Maddox Cross had lasted a minute or less. “I went out to get some air and he showed up. That’s all.”
She could see the wheels turning in her mother’s eyes. “What?” Mila said, a sick feeling filling her stomach.
Her mother shook her head, hiding a smile. “Nothing.” She patted Mila’s hand. “I’m just glad you’re not being ignored.”
Mila knew that wasn’t what her mother was thinking at all.
She didn’t know who this Maddox guy was, but her mother obviously did and that worried her. She supposed it was in her best interests to start digging into this new world her mother was entering for her own sake.