A Silken Thread - Brenda Jackson [95]
“Yes. Do you think Erica is aware they’re dating?”
“Who knows? Even if she knew she would probably give them her blessings. How dare that poor, worthless slut think she’s suitable for Griffin Hayes. I gave Griffin better sense than that. He wants a political career. Doesn’t he know messing around with someone from the Fifth Ward is political suicide?”
For a moment Karen didn’t say anything as she thought of a plan. She smiled before saying, “I’ll take care of it. Now, what’s the good news?”
“I might be able to get to Brian by using one of the female attorneys in his office who I hear has the hots for him anyway. I’ll give you the lowdown after I work out all the details.”
Karen nodded. “I’m counting on you.”
“Trust me, Karen. For the money you’re paying me I won’t let you down.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
“You seem to be in a good mood today, Erica.”
Erica glanced over at her mother and smiled. “It’s a beautiful day and we’re visiting a beautiful country. Why wouldn’t I be in a good mood?”
Karen shrugged. “I don’t know. You acted so down in the dumps yesterday.”
Erica knew that was true, but talking to Brian yesterday had definitely brightened her spirits, though there was no way she would tell her mother that. She would probably freak out at the mere mention of Brian’s name. “I was, but now I’m fine.” That’s all she intended to say on the matter.
They had shopped at several stores before Erica noticed a phone store across the street. “I need to go into that shop over there.”
Karen lifted a brow. “Why?”
“Because I haven’t been able to make calls on my phone for some reason. I met a lady whose phone is working fine so I figured there must be something wrong with mine.”
“Is that really necessary?”
Erica glanced over at her mom. “Is what really necessary?”
“That you communicate with the outside world. I’m trying to forget anyone on the other side of the ocean exists right now.”
Erica understood her wanting to do that, considering everything. “That might be fine for you, but it’s not for me, Mom. There are people I need to communicate with.”
There. She would let her mother draw her own conclusions from that.
“And how is April these days?”
Erica lifted a surprised brow. Her mother was asking about April? This was a first. “Last time I talked to her she was fine.”
“She’s not on husband number four yet?”
Erica couldn’t help but smile. “No. In fact she’s not seriously involved with anyone.” Her mother didn’t know that April liked to joke about having male friends with benefits.
When her mother didn’t say anything, Erica glanced over at her. “Why the interest in April?”
Karen shrugged. “Umm, maybe I was too hard on her all those years. She has become someone famous.”
Erica nodded, surprised with her mother’s admission. “Yes, she has.” She then drew in a deep breath. Was her mother changing her ways and perceptions about people? If so, it was long overdue.
Rita walked off the elevator and toward her office. She had met Lori for lunch at one of the cafés downtown and they’d talked about Brian’s visit.
That her son supported her was a load off her back, especially in light of the nightly phone calls she received from Wilson. He was still determined to divorce Karen and had consulted an attorney. However, his attorney had warned him that Karen could make things ugly and probably wouldn’t hesitate to name Rita as the reason for the divorce.
“Rita!”
She glanced around and met one of her coworker’s smiling faces. “Yes, Janet?”
“Have you been to your office yet?” Janet asked in an excited tone.
Rita lifted a brow. “Not since this morning. Why?”
Janet’s smile widened even more. “Well, prepare yourself, honey.”
“For what?”
“You’ll see.”
Rita increased her pace as she moved toward her office. The pleasant scent of flowers eased through her nostrils the moment she opened the door. She couldn’t help but gasp in surprise at the beautiful arrangement of roses on her desk. There had to be over a hundred and all in various colors just like a rainbow.
She closed the door and