Pretty Dangerous by Lynn Emery Page A

me, none of us were laughing,”
Adrienne replied mildly. “Daddy ranted on and on. Mother spent
hours on the phone putting out feelers to make sure none of our
friends knew. Thank God Roderick’s parents have the sense to be
discreet.”
    “Please. Your ‘friends’ have their own
skeletons rattling around various closets. They should talk.” MiMi
crossed her arms.
    “True, but another exciting tale about you
being in trouble again would drown out the noise,” Adrienne said.
Her full lips lifted at one corner.
    MiMi held her temper in check. Adrienne had a
special skill of pushing MiMi’s buttons until she exploded. Not
today. “Chris didn’t seem scandalized or eager to rub my face in
it. At least he’s showing some compassion.”
    “That’s because he doesn’t know. Only
Roderick’s parents, our parents and I know. We plan to keep it that
way.” Adrienne spun around and strolled into the large open plan
living room. Just beyond was a formal dining room that flowed into
a large kitchen. She sat down on a sofa.
    “You’re keeping secrets from Chris?” MiMi
tried to make it into a mocking tease, but something about her
sister’s behavior bothered her.
    “He’s mostly interested in work these days
and getting the next big bonus.” Adrienne’s pretty face grew stony
as she gazed ahead.
    “You like those healthy shots of money. More
fun shopping for you,” MiMi quipped. She glanced around at perfect
order. The room, like the outside of the house out front, looked
ready for a model home design magazine.
    Adrienne picked up a silver framed photo of
her husband on a lovely teakwood table. “I’m a bit deeper than the
next pair of two hundred dollar ballet flats.”
    MiMi glanced at her sister. The bitterness
just beneath the surface of her statement came through clearly. “I
doubt anyone considers you a lightweight, Adrienne.”
    “You’d think so wouldn’t you.” Adrienne put
the photo down and looked at MiMi with a slight frown. “I’m sure
you have to be exhausted. Why don’t you get some rest for a couple
of days? Sage is fine here.”
    “I got rest on the flight, so I’m good.
Besides, I’m used to being a tired single mommy,” MiMi said with a
smile.
    “But Sage loves her room. I’m paying my
housekeeper extra to look after her while I work during the day.
It’s perfect really. I’m right down the hall in my home office if
Estella needs me. Then when Brayden gets home we have quality
time.” Adrienne gave a contented sigh.
    MiMi’s smile faded. “I appreciate you looking
after Sage for me. Honestly, I missed the little terror. I can’t
wait to give her a big hug, a warm bath and tuck her in like
always.”
    Adrienne stood up abruptly. “I really don’t
see what’s the rush, but since you insist.”
    Before MiMi could reply, her nephew called
from upstairs. “Hello Aunt MiMi. Climb aboard my spaceship.”
    “On my way, captain,” MiMi yelled back. She
looked at Adrienne who shrugged.
    “His father lets him read those science
fiction comics for children. One Sunday they watched Star Trek
movies all day.” Adrienne wore a sour expression.
    “You should be thrilled. He must not spend
all his time working.” MiMi wondered at the strange vibes her
sister seemed to radiate.
    “Humph.” Adrienne brushed past MiMi as a
signal she had no interest in expounding on the subject. “Like I
said, Sage is in her room. She loves it in there. Brayden, have you
been checking on your little cousin?”
    “Yes, mommy. She’s hugging those dumb dolls
again. I tried to get her to hold my spaceship, but she just tossed
it on the floor.”
    When they reached the top of the stairs, MiMi
wrapped both arms around his slender frame. She kissed the top of
his head. “She’s a baby, sweetie.”
    “Nope, she’s a girl like at school. They
don’t do cool stuff like boys. Except mygirlfriend Allison. She
likes to watch space movies.” Brayden grinned widely.
    “Brayden, Allison is your friend.