* * *
Chloe spotted Lila the moment their train pulled into the station. A white silk couture jumpsuit hung across her slim hips, tapering at the ankle just above a pair of exquisite, cobalt blue Louboutin suede booties. The ruffled, plunging neckline left room for a diamond necklace that would have sparkled enough to blind a person had the sun not already begun to set. It matched the engagement ring on Lila’s left hand perfectly, and even more baubles dangled from her wrists and ears. Her handbag screamed Louis Vuitton, and the black cashmere peacoat draped across her arm probably cost more than Chloe’s entire wardrobe combined. Lila’s striking appearance was so out of place against the dingy platform, it would have been hard not to notice her.
The look of anticipation on Lila’s face softened the severity of her outfit. She liked pretty, expensive things, but there was a Piniac in there somewhere; if she had seen someone in need, the coat would have gone home with them without a second thought. Chloe had always considered her mother a woman of contradictions. To some, she was a pleasant surprise—those people were usually expecting a hard, unfeeling snob—to others, particularly those in her social sphere who were genuine snobs, she was an oddity. Love her or hate her—there was no in-between when it came to Lila LaRue.
“Go, I’ll get our things.” Nate gestured for Chloe to move on ahead, having watched her excitement grow exponentially the closer they got to their destination. She kissed him on the cheek and made a beeline for the exit before anyone else had moved from their seat, nearly flying from the bottom step into her mother’s waiting arms.
“Oh, darling, I’ve missed you so much!” Lila enveloped Chloe in a fierce hug, inhaling her daughter’s familiar scent with a beatific expression on her face—a face so similar to Chloe’s it was a little bit creepy. Blond hair hung in perfectly-coiffed ringlets, just skimming a pronounced collar bone, and wide almond-colored eyes shone bright above a button nose. EV and Nate watched through the train windows, in no hurry to interrupt the reunion between mother and child.
EV’s stomach rumbled with nervous energy; it had been ten years since she and Lila set eyes on one another, and their relationship had wandered into stasis somewhere between acquaintance and friend. Why Lila had chosen her to be in the wedding at all was a mystery EV planned to solve. Until now, the thought of seeing her long-lost friend had been more abstract than concrete, so she avoided dwelling on it.
With Nate bringing up the rear, EV exited the train and stepped tentatively toward Lila, who rushed forward to greet her with no trace of hesitation. Apparently Lila had chosen to ignore the emotional distance that stretched between them after years of physical distance. If her impressions were correct, Lila harbored a touch of resentment over EV’s close friendship with Chloe, while, at the same time, feeling gratitude that someone was there to look out for her daughter.
On the flip side, EV thought Lila’s moratorium on visiting her daughter harsh, and had not been shy in speaking her feelings. Still, she was more than willing to let it all go, especially if Lila had done the same.
“Look at us! We’re old!” Lila laughed, though neither looked anywhere close to their actual ages. Lila’s good humor was infectious, and EV felt the tension release from her shoulders.
“I’m not old, I’m travel-worn.” EV arched an eyebrow and matched it with a sardonic smile.
Nate approached the three women, looking to Chloe for support. “Mother, you remember Nate.”
“Hello Mrs.—Ms. LaRue.” He stammered. “It’s nice to see you again. Congratulations, and thank you for inviting me.” Nate reached out as if to shake Lila’s hand.
“Hello, Nathaniel.” She replied, ignoring his hand and letting go of Chloe long enough to give him a short, but reassuring hug. “Call me Lila. It’s much easier. And you’re very welcome. We’re happy to have you all here.” Nate detected the hint of an edge to the words. The feeling solidified as Lila donned her coat and slung her arms around Chloe and EV’s necks, leading them toward a black limousine idling in the parking lot, while he was left to help the driver handle the luggage. The speculative look she tossed back at him over her shoulder told him the move was intentional.
Once they were en route, Lila pulled a bottle of champagne out of the limousine’s built-in chiller and proposed a toast. “To family, friends who are considered family, and those who may someday become family.”
Nate toasted, wondering again if Lila placed intentional emphasis on a particular phrase; it sounded almost as if she’d be betting against him becoming a permanent fixture in Chloe’s life. He shook his head, wondering if the stress of travel had him imagining things.
“You’re all just going to love this venue. Chloe knows, since we’ve visited the castle before, and it just seemed like serendipity when Javier suggested it. The whole event came into focus, and I could picture the four of us gliding down that staircase in the Rose Room. You remember my cousin Faith, don’t you? She’ll be my third attendant, but she can’t make it until next week. I just hope it’s enough time to get her dress altered.” Lila prattled on, but Chloe interrupted her, having latched onto a nugget of information she didn’t want to let pass.
“So Javier is the one responsible for choosing one of the most remote locations in your repertoire. You couldn’t find anywhere more out of the way, could you? Where is his family
