The Kincaids: New Money: Behind Boardroom Doors. Jennifer Lewis

very much doubt it. The Kincaids are apparently obsessed with their social standing in Charleston. In addition to being illegitimate, I don’t have a drop of blue blood in my veins. RJ’s father didn’t marry his mistress because she wasn’t from the right social class, and from the sound of it not much has changed since then.”

      “Don’t be silly. RJ’s crazy about you, and he’s far too self-assured to worry about other people’s opinions of his lovely bride.”

      “Stop! I thought you were the one warning me to go slow in case it all ends in tears.”

      “The way I see it, you’re in over your head already. Might as well enjoy it and worry about the tears later. Did you ever figure out what to get your mom for her birthday?”

      Brooke gasped. “I can’t believe it. I totally forgot! And it’s tomorrow. No, it’s today, Sunday! I haven’t even called her. I’m supposed to be at her place for dinner.”

      Becoming involved with RJ had totally derailed her brain. She hung up and called her mom to confirm they were still on. As she was speaking, she heard the sliding door to the balcony whisper open, and RJ stepped out. She waved hi and finished the conversation, telling her mom to book a table wherever she wanted.

      “I missed you.” RJ’s deep voice wrapped around her at the same time his arms did.

      “We weren’t apart more than twenty minutes.”

      “Felt like an eternity.” He nuzzled her neck, then rested his head on her shoulder for a moment.

      “Are you okay? Did you read the letter?”

      She felt his chest rise as he sucked in a breath. “I read the letter. My dad apparently gives me permission to abandon all my responsibilities and seize a new life by the …” He looked up and his gaze met hers with blistering force. “All I can say is thank heaven for you being here in my arms right now.”

      “Don’t let it get to you. Maybe we should go for a walk in the woods to blow off steam.”

      A sparkle of mischief crept into his eyes. “I can think of another way to blow off steam.”

      Brooke wasn’t at all nervous on the flight back. Hand in hand with RJ, she felt they could stride across the world together and nothing could harm them.

      Back in her condo, she shrugged out of the chic “country attire” she’d bought for her weekend in the woods, showered and dressed in something her mom would approve of. “You have such a nice body. You should let people see it.” By people, she meant men. Barbara Nichols’s life revolved around men and the chance of being admired by them.

      She stopped by a mall and picked up the most expensive tennis bracelet she could find. Expensive was always good as her mom would know exactly how much it cost. When she arrived at 14 Pine Grove, as usual her mom was dressed for a night on the town. “Oh sweetheart, you shouldn’t have!” The sparkly bracelet hit its mark, and was immediately added to the collection of bling on her thin wrist.

      “Where’s Timmy?” Her mom’s boyfriend had been a regular fixture around the house for nearly two years.

      “Moved to Charlotte.”

      “Why?”

      “His job transferred him to their plant there.” She shrugged as if she couldn’t care less. Brooke could see the lines in her face had deepened.

      “Oh, Mom, I know you two got along well. Did you talk at all about going to join him?”

      Her mom’s pale blue eyes had a hollow look. “He said he thought it was better if we made a clean break. He started talking about kids and you know how that goes.” She swatted the air dismissively with her manicured hand. Timmy was at least fifteen years younger than her. This had happened before.

      “I’m sorry to hear that, because I thought he was nice.” Not interesting, or funny, or charming or gorgeous, like RJ, but he treated her mom well.

      “Yeah, well. Sooner or later it’s time to move on. Maybe we’ll meet Mr. Right tonight. I booked us a table at Dashers, it’s a new place just up the road.”

      Brooke’s heart sank. The prospect of sitting at a bar booth, eyeing potentially eligible males with her mother, was enough to suck every last breath of wind from her sails. Again, this had happened before. Still, it was her birthday.

      Twenty minutes later they sat in the shiny black booth, which looked just as Brooke had imagined it. Her mom’s sculpted legs were artfully draped outside the booth where they could catch the eye of any passing males. “How about you, sweetheart? Are you still spending the weekends holed up in your apartment practicing yoga or do you ever go out into the world?”

      All of Brooke’s better judgment told her to keep quiet about RJ. “Actually I’m seeing someone.” Apparently her better judgment had disappeared with her first sip of Frascati.

      Her mom’s mouth and eyes widened. “Who? Someone from work?”

      Brooke gulped. “Um, yes, actually.”

      “Did you finally catch that gorgeous boss of yours?” She leaned in conspiratorially. “I’m always telling you you’re beautiful enough for even the richest man in Charleston, if you’d just shine a light on your assets.” She glanced approvingly at the cleavage revealed by her blouse. “You do have a glow about you, now I’m looking closer.” Her penciled brow lifted. “Well, don’t sit there in silence. Tell me more!”