Page 85 of Kiss Me Like You Mean It

‘And I did enjoy my time being a duchess,’ she continues blithely. ‘In hindsight I should have kept hold of the title for longer instead of remarrying, but c’est la vie.’

‘How long are you here for, Claudia?’ I ask, trying to turn the conversation in a better direction.

‘As long as you need me, my doves!’ Claudia beams. ‘I’ve cleared my schedule. It will give me a chance to spend time with Phoebe as well. Do you know, I do believe she has inherited some of my moxie.’

‘Oh yeah, she’s full of moxie,’ Nico agrees, resigned.

‘And Lee, it really is so good to see you again.’ Claudia reaches across to take both my hands in hers and give me a good once over. I would sell my soul for a hairbrush. ‘You’ve grown into such a gorgeous woman. I always knew you would. Beauty and brains, everything a mother could ask for in a daughter-in-law. You’re an absolute doll.’

She gives me one of her enchanting smiles, and I find my own mouth pulling up in response. This is the thing about Claudia – she’s a tornado in designer couture, but she’s also completely irresistible. When I was small I idolised her. Although I had my own impossibly glamorous parents, Claudia somehow transcended even their standards. And she wasn’t only beautiful – she was so much fun, always up for an adventure, or pulling me aside, away from the boys to play with her perfumes and have ‘girl talk’.

When she moved out of the house next door to us and went back to the States I’d been devastated.

‘It’s good to see you, too,’ I say, suddenly a bit shy. ‘Are you staying in town?’

‘As it happens there isn’t any accommodation available in Roseport, so I’m staying in a darling little hotel in the next town over. Your local driver – Bud, is it? – has offered to chauffeur me around as needed, and I did some light snooping when I checked in.’ Her smile widens, showing off her sparkling white teeth. ‘It seems your Mr Saunders is staying down the hall from me. Très convenient.’

‘Ma, please, just… keep a lid on the seduction plans for now, yeah?’

Claudia blinks at Nico. ‘Of course I could try,’ she says doubtfully, ‘but I’m afraid the wheels are already in motion.’

‘You met him for about ninety seconds,’ Nico huffs.

His mother’s shrug is languid. ‘I don’t know what to tell you. It’s my gift… and my curse. Besides, if I’d been in his confidence this morning, he never would have been able to spring this surprise visit on you. Think how useful it will be to have a mole on the inside!’

‘Right.’ Nico only nods because I think it’s clear to both of us that there’s little point in arguing further, and Claudia is already picturing herself as a femme fatale in a trench coat.

Claudia’s phone dings and she pulls it from her pocket. ‘Ah, Bud awaits! I’ll leave the two of you to your morning, but we’ll catch up for dinner later, won’t we? My treat.’

‘We already have plans today, Ma,’ Nico says gently. ‘I’m sorry, but I had no idea you’d be here. Tomorrow?’

Claudia looks supremely unbothered. ‘Whatever suits you. You know I never have any problem entertaining myself.’

‘Precisely what I’m worried about,’ Nico mutters under his breath.

‘And before I forget.’ Claudia pulls something else from her pocket with a flourish, placing it on the kitchen counter. ‘I brought you these.’

Nico eyes the small black box with suspicion. ‘What is it?’

‘Your grandparents’ wedding rings,’ Claudia sings, already heading for the door. ‘They’re nothing special, you know, but I assumed you wouldn’t have thought about it. Unlike Phoebe, you, my treasure, inherited none of my devious wiles. Speak soon!’ She wiggles her fingers at us as she slips outside. ‘Bud! You darling man!’ I hear her cry, before the door swings shut behind her.

Nico and I look at each other and then down at the box. It feels like Claudia just tossed a grenade at us and then left.

‘This is a very strange morning,’ I say finally, trying to break some of the tension.

‘Even by Roseport’s standards,’ Nico agrees, but he’s still looking at the box. ‘We shouldn’t have done this, any of it. I should never have agreed.’

My heart sinks. ‘I’m sorry,’ I say miserably. ‘I know I’m not a very good actress.’

His eyes fly to mine. ‘No!’ He steps towards me. ‘I’m sorry. I can’t believe I roped you into this insanity. And now,’ he gestures to the small and innocent-looking jewellery box as if it’s a live tarantula, ‘this. I hadn’t even thought—’

‘It’s just a costume, Nico,’ I say, even though I get why he’s freaking out. Pretending to be married is one thing, but wearing actual wedding rings feels like a whole other level, one that I foolishly hadn’t considered. I thought if I ever wore a ring it would be put there by someone who loved me. It feels like cheating us out of something, this particular moment of pretence, but it can’t be helped.

‘It was a good idea,’ I carry on firmly, trying to convince both of us. ‘It would have been conspicuous to anyone looking for holes in our story. As it is, we can get away with it because I had obviously just got up so I wouldn’t necessarily have my ring on yet.’

He doesn’t say anything, only nods tensely and picks up the box, as if it might explode. He opens it and looks inside, the expression on his face unreadable, then he turns it to face me.

I gasp before I can stop myself. Inside are three rings: a man’s gold band; and a woman’s set – another gold band and a diamond engagement ring. By Claudia’s standards I suppose they’re nothing special, but I think they’re lovely. The engagement ring has a small round central diamond, surrounded by eight smaller diamonds. It looks like a snowflake, or a tiny flower.