“Mother, did you hear me?”
“What?” she asked, startled out of her thoughts.
“Addy and I are going to see Beautiful next Thursday, you know, the Carole King musical. I thought maybe you and Dad would like to join us. We could grab dinner first.”
“That sounds lovely. What do you say, Ted?” Even though she had a million and one things still left to do for Ted’s birthday party next Saturday night, she was grateful for their desire to include her and Ted and didn’t want to do anything to offend Addison. Especially as she knew that it had most likely been Addison’s idea to invite them along. When Gabriel was dating Darcy, the two of them had gone to the theater all the time, and he’d seldom thought to ask her and Ted to join them—not that she would have expected him to. But since Addison’s arrival on the scene, Gabriel had spent a lot more time with the family. She wanted to believe that it was because Addison yearned for a family, to be a part of something, but sometimes she couldn’t help but wonder cynically if she was only currying favor. Blythe hated to think that way, but her own mother had ingrained in her the need for caution due to their wealth.
Ted smiled. “Sure, sounds great.”
“I’m so glad you’re going to join us,” Addison said, giving them a warm smile.
When they finished eating, Addison jumped up and began to clear the dishes away. Blythe put a hand up. “Darling, it’s okay. Grace will see to that.” She tried to keep the annoyance out of her voice. This wasn’t the first time Addison had dined with them, and Blythe was frustrated that she had to keep reminding her that they had help. Was her insistence on taking in her own plate a little form of rebellion against their lifestyle?
“Sorry,” Addison said, turning red. “I guess maybe it’s something that was instilled in me? I wish I knew.”
Gabriel shot his mother a look, and she swallowed a sigh. “Of course,” she said. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. How about some coffee in the living room?”
He gave Blythe an approving nod, and she thought once again how fraught this situation was. If she showed the slightest hesitation about his commitment to Addison, he would only dig his heels in further. He had a heart of gold but a will of iron, and the only way he would ever change his mind would be on his own.
Blythe’s protective instincts, however, gave her the edge. Gabriel and Addison had acquiesced to her insistence on a year-long engagement so they could plan a proper wedding. That meant she had one year to find out everything she could about Addison, or whatever her real name was. She had already made an appointment with a detective to look into her. No matter how lovely and charming she appeared, there was simply no way Blythe would let Addison join this family until she knew who she really was.
??7??
Addison
We pull up the drive, and I’m struck again by the majesty of the Olivers’ house. When Gabriel puts his Land Rover in park, a valet comes to the passenger side to open the door, then takes Gabriel’s place behind the wheel and drives the car away. Ted is turning sixty, and tonight is the huge bash Blythe is putting on for him. Over one hundred guests. I’m always astounded at their enormous social circle and how often they entertain. Gabriel is as outgoing and social as his parents, and that is one of the things that worries me, as someone who is most comfortable with one-on-one relationships.
As soon as we walk in, I see Darcy near the dining room table, talking to Blythe. She looks pretty in a flowery slip dress and high strappy sandals, her white-blond hair loose and not in the usual low ponytail. Darcy strikes me as someone who is sure of herself and her place in the world. Her charm is rooted in the sense that she enjoys and is completely at ease with people.
Especially my future mother-in-law. They’re leaning in toward each other, and their conversation looks lively and animated. I hate the fact that their closeness bothers me. I learned that his parents hoped, even expected, that Gabriel and Darcy would marry one day. The moment his mother looks up and sees us, she smiles and waves us over, and I feel my throat start to close.
“You’re late, darling. What’s the point of that new watch if you don’t use it?” Blythe teases Gabriel and kisses him on the cheek.
She turns to me and takes my hand in hers. “I’m so glad you’re here. You look lovely, Addison.” Blythe is always gracious and kind to me, but she’s lovely to everyone.
“Thank you,” I say, and give her my best smile before turning to Darcy. “Hi, Darcy.”