No Way Back (Mia's Way, #1) by Adams Chloe

Author:Adams, Chloe [Adams, Chloe]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-10-27T04:00:00+00:00

The next morning, I ride alone in the car to meet Molly for brunch. Grudgingly, I have to admit Dr. Thompkins is right. It’s getting easier to go out. I still feel nervous and worried someone will grab me. My phone has become my crutch, and I clench it in my hands. Dr. Thompkins says that’s okay for now.

Molly is already seated drinking coffee when I arrive. She’s well-dressed, her make-up flawless. Like mom, she’s a natural beauty with perfect features, a slender shape and bright blue eyes. My gaze goes at once to her huge engagement ring. In comparison, I feel like a dirty slob. I’m dressed in jeans, even if they’re expensive ones.

“Nice rock,” I say, sitting.

Her insincere smile tells me she thinks I’m being crass. I didn’t go to the Southern finishing schools she did.

“I’ve ordered for you,” she says, her cultured, heavy Southern accent rolling off her soft voice.

“Thanks.”

“Joseph’s in town.”

“Yeah, I know. How’s the wedding planning going?” I ask.

“Exhausting. I’ve hired three assistants, and it’s still overwhelming.”

“Hmmm.” What do I say to that? Molly’s nails are always perfectly manicured and her hands soft. I doubt she’s doing anything other than ordering people around.

“Is your mother coming back to town soon?” Molly asks.

“Allegedly. We’ll see if she actually shows.”

“Hopefully she does. I could use her advice on European designers.”

I look up from pouring coffee. Molly knows the designers as well as Mom. She spends her summers in Europe.

“Caffeine isn’t a good idea for you right now, sweetie.”

I flush. Molly waves the waiter over and orders me herbal tea. I always feel off around her and Joseph. Neither of us talks until after the tea is brought. Molly pours me a cup. I sip at it and clench the warm cup in my hands to keep from fidgeting. Our food comes out, and I start to eat.

“Your mother helped me out last year. I had a moment of indiscretion, as Daddy would say.”

“But you’re marrying Emmitt. You’ve been together for years,” I point out. “Why not have a shotgun wedding instead of … of what you did?”

“Emmitt was detailed abroad at the time,” Molly replies. “He wasn’t the father.”

I stare at her. Perfect, darling Molly cheated on the son of a former president?

“The father was a college friend,” she says. “Emmitt and I were on the rocks at the time. He cheated on me, and I wanted to show him what it felt like. It was beyond stupid and petty. I didn’t expect to get pregnant.”

“Wow,” I breathe.

“You should know that our public personas are not who we actually are,” Molly chides me.

“Mine is. Shea and Daddy gave me no choice.” The memory of my press conference makes tears come to my eyes. I’m still humiliated by it, by seeing pictures of my battered face and body all over the news and internet.

“You’re also Daddy’s ace-in-the-hole right now. His ratings have sky-rocketed since your pictures hit the newsstands. “

“Great. I’m glad my rape is gonna get him reelected!”

“That’s the game, Mia,” Molly says coolly.

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