Bad Boy Gone Good by Katie Frey

Author:Katie Frey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2023-05-05T15:12:28+00:00

* * *

“You’re back early.”

The voice greeted her, echoing through the lobby. It was her mom, of all people.

“Didn’t know you were staying here tonight,” Evie answered, not at all ready for another lecture. It had been an extremely long week and all she could think about was leaving. Sleeping under the stars. With August.

“Thought you were out with Ben this evening?”

Looked like the lecture was coming, one way or another. Evie kicked off her shoes and made her way into the library. Her mom was in the kitchen, and yes, she had every intention of going there. But not without a stiff drink.

Her Dark and Stormy poured, she pulled up her big-girl panties and made her way to the dining room. The Hartmann girls didn’t spend their time in the kitchen; Josephine wasn’t that kind of woman.

Her mom was dressed in a dove gray suit. The look was fitted, elegant. She wore a silk chemise in lieu of a dress shirt and looked glamorous.

“You look good, Mom,” Evie started.

“And you look...” Her mom paused, assessing her. “Tired.”

So, it was going to be one of those chats.

Evie pulled at one of the sleek chairs and took a seat at the marble-topped island. The dining room was her least favorite part of the home. Featuring walnut paneling, in stark contrast to the white marble, it was an aggressive marriage of contemporary modern style with farmhouse chic, and Evie wasn’t sure she liked it.

Josephine poured her own drink. Vodka on the rocks. Calorie free, or so her stick-figure mother liked to remind her. Evie took a deep sip of her drink, regretting for a moment she hadn’t taken a straw to slurp with. If she was going to disappoint her mom might as well go all the way.

“Early date, then?” Josephine asked with an eyebrow arched.

Not early enough.

“Actually, Ben and I are on a break.”

Band-Aid off.

Josephine pursed her lips. A thin line Evie was all too familiar with. Her lips had almost disappeared when Evie had announced her plans for Hollywood, so she was well versed in parental disappointment.

“I thought you were back. That you were charting a new course. Making smart decisions?”

“And I thought you were my mom, not my dating coach.” Or career adviser.

Josephine clicked her tongue. To be fair, she couldn’t have been used to this. No one talked back to Mom.

Josephine finished her drink, then pushed her stool back and stood. She made her way around the island, releasing the hidden door to a recessed bar fridge on the west side. Chilled vodka, always at the ready. Evie watched silently as her mom poured another drink.

“Want a vodka? Less cals than whatever it is you’re drinking.”

There it was. Frankly, it was amazing she hadn’t grown up with a raging eating disorder. As she sipped her Dark and Stormy, she counted her appetite as her first independent revolt.

“Did I tell you? I leave for an audition in two weeks. The casting agent saw my reel already, thinks I’m perfect for the role.

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