Just One Scandal (The Kingston Family 2)

Suddenly Kurt snapped his fingers. “I know why you look familiar to me. You’re the jilted bride! TMZ and Page Six had photos.”

Chloe felt her face begin to flush and grow hot. Though she’d known those articles existed, she hadn’t thought people would pay much attention, let alone recognize her.

“Dad!” Beck shot his father an annoyed look.

“I’m sorry, honey.” Audrey glanced at Chloe. “Kurt’s retirement has given him too much free time to pay attention to gossip on the internet.” She shook her head in dismay.

Chloe sighed. There was no way to avoid the truth. “That’s me. Beck helped me that first night, and he’s been my savior ever since.” She smiled up at him. “You raised a gentleman, Mrs.…” At the other woman’s scowl Chloe corrected herself. “I mean Audrey.”

“I didn’t mean to upset you,” Kurt said. “My wife is right. I spend way too much time surfing the internet and watching trash on TV. A part of me misses my job but my back won’t let me work anymore.” He placed a hand on his lower back and rubbed the area.

“What did you do before you retired?” Chloe asked. Beck had never said.

“I was a building inspector for the city,” he said, obviously proud of his occupation.

“Sounds interesting.” Before she could ask another question, Beck announced he and his father were going into the family room, but not before shooting Chloe a questioning look.

Was she okay? She could read his mind and offered him a nod and a smile.

She was great, as were his parents.

She and Audrey ended up in the kitchen. Dinner was already made, the table set, and all Chloe could do was sit on a stool by the counter and talk to Beck’s mom, though she had offered to help.

“So … you and my son.” Apparently Audrey was direct, which Chloe admired.

“We’re good friends. Like I said, he rescued me the night of my non-wedding and has been giving me a place to stay while I get back on my feet. He’s been very generous.” And that’s all a parent needed to know.

Audrey picked up the salad bowl and removed the foil covering the top. “That’s interesting because I’ve never known him to step up for a stranger. And even if he felt compelled to help you out the night of the wedding, having you move in? It’s not his typical personality, if you know what I mean.”

Chloe narrowed her gaze. “If you’re afraid I’m taking advantage of your son, I can assure you I’m not. I–” Before she could inform his mother she was helping with cooking and cleaning and doing whatever else she could around the loft, Audrey shook her head and rushed over.

“God, no. I didn’t mean it like that. Just the opposite, in fact. I’m telling you if my son is helping you out, he cares.” Audrey beamed at her observation.

She obviously wanted her son settled and happy and had no idea Beck had other plans.

It wasn’t Chloe’s place to tell his mother things about Beck he hadn’t explained himself. “As I mentioned, we’re good friends.”

“Well, Beck doesn’t have many of those, and he’s never moved a woman in before.” She rushed over to the refrigerator and opened the door. “Do you like creamy Italian dressing?” Audrey asked. “I also have vinaigrette, French…”

Head spinning, Chloe replied, “Creamy Italian is fine, thank you.” She opted to ignore his mother’s other comment. And since she didn’t mention her husband’s diagnosis or problems, Chloe didn’t either.

But in the few minutes she’d had with Beck’s mother, Chloe had a few observations. His mom was a bulldog, which showed Chloe where Beck got his determination in business to go after what he wanted. It explained how he was so successful so fast and all on his own.

She also tended to ignore the important things and push them aside like they weren’t happening … her husband’s illness, for example. And Chloe had no doubt if asked, Audrey would assure her that Kurt would be fine. She wouldn’t want to hear otherwise. Which explained why Beck was so frustrated and why he had a hard time deciphering truth from blind hope.

Audrey meant well, but she didn’t want to see the reality in front of her, and she had the definite impression Kurt followed his wife’s lead in all things.

Then there was Beck. He wasn’t just more of a realist, he was a glass-half-empty kind of guy. That way, if the worst happened, he’d protected himself ahead of time.

Now that Chloe knew the forces that had shaped him, she was even more convinced there’d be no changing his mind once he’d made a decision. He’d put Chloe outside his inner circle, and that’s where she would remain.

* * *

“Your parents are amazing,” Chloe said as they headed back to the city.