The Spanish Tycoon's Takeover
Page 20
“Uh...she actually is ill. In a way.” She took a deep breath. “My mother’s been having a hard time the past few years. Trying to kick a drug and alcohol problem.”
Cabe blinked at her. Clearly, he hadn’t seen that coming.
“She’s trying really hard,” Jenna added. Another lie.
In fact, her mother had just shown up at her door last night, asking for money for “groceries.” When Jenna had insisted on taking her to the market herself, Amanda had grown violent, shattering a vase on her hardwood floor before storming out. She’d wanted groceries of the more liquid variety. It had been the last thing Jenna had needed as she’d been trying to finish up her presentation for today. Thanks to Amanda’s visit, she’d been up most of the night due to the upsetting interruption.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Cabe said in a gentle and soothing voice.
“I’m sure you’re a tremendous source of support for your mother,” he continued. “She’s lucky to have you.”
Though her mother didn’t see it that way. In Amanda’s eyes, Jenna always came up short. Even though if Jenna hadn’t stepped in on numerous occasions, Amanda would no doubt be in jail. Or worse.
“I’m doing what I can to help her.”
Cabe cleared his throat. The look he gave her was so understanding, so gentle that it made her breath catch. “It’s quite admirable that you’re trying to help your mother.”
Oh, heavens. What could she say to that? She didn’t have a choice but to help her mother. Otherwise, she and her brother would be left to deal with the cleanup.
“Thanks.”
Several moments passed in awkward silence. So awkward that she wanted to give the waitress a hug when she interrupted to fill their glasses.
Jenna watched her leave before hesitantly turning her gaze back to Cabe. He gave her an unreadable look. Curiosity? Admiration?
She didn’t and couldn’t care. What did it matter what Cabe Jordan thought of her or her broken family? In a few days, he’d be gone from Boston and hopefully he wouldn’t return for another three to four years. He would just go back to being nothing more than an electronic signature at the bottom of her office emails.
But for now, she still had to get through this godforsaken lunch with him sitting right across from her.
He’d never understand, Jenna thought as she pretended to eat. Even under the best of circumstances, she’d never be in league with people like Cabe or even his parents, who had always been so sweet to her. Cabe had probably never had to hide from a drunken tirade or had to clean up after a parent who’d barreled in at three in the morning then promptly gotten sick all over the carpet.
She and Cabe Jordan may have grown up in the same town, but they were from two different worlds.
Copyright © 2017 by Nilay Nina Singh
ISBN-13: 9781488014864
The Spanish Tycoon’s Takeover
Copyright © 2017 by Michelle Douglas
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