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We weave in and out of guests, all dressed in expensive finery and jewels, holding crystal flutes of cha hors d'oeuvres the size of a postage stareenery is draped, and I swear there's a Christmas tree in every room

Beck nods to some people with set this party over and behind us as quickly as possible

Which makes me wonder out loud, "Why do you even bother to come to this party, Beck? I meanyou don't want to be here, don't like your parents very much Why suffer?"

"Well," he says in a low voice as he inclines his head toward aze forhile alk to the ood to keep your foot in the door somewhat My father has solid business contacts and I don't want to burn that bridge, but mainly it's to keep theed daughter and how it must look to their friends and peers So it pacifies them for me to at least step up to the plate and attend a few functions each year The next will be my father's birthday party"

"If they want to make amends with Caroline, why don't they just do so? End the estrangement?"

Beck laughs sarcastically and squeezes my elbow "Because, ize for their terrible behavior toward Caroline and Ally, and they would never lower theet over her snit and start acting like a real daughter again"

"I know I've said it before, but I don't like your parents," I mutter

"The thing that bothers randdaughter She's like this dirty little secret or so on my elbow reflexively

Before I can respond, we approach a roolass French doors open to either side I can see why it's the e black piano in one corner that I' cost a mint It's sparsely furnished with only a couch and two chairs, both done in black leather and sleek contened for parties in le But the real focal point is a ray marble fireplace that looks like it could hold a football tea inside, but doesn't see it's flued in such a way to beelse

I can tell the minute Beck locates his parents, because he stands a bit straighter and his hand slips from my elbow to my hand, which he squeezes reflexively I squeeze back and then we're headed across the room toward a man I easily identify as Beck's father They share the sahout, and brilliant blue eyes Sah and through I don't see any reseant blond woman next to him ears her hair in a sleek bob that comes just a few inches above her shoulders

As we approach, Beck's htly touches her hand to her husband's aret his attention He stops into another older couple, and looks down at his wife, then follows her gaze our way I don't miss that both of them look first to Beck, then drop down to where our hands are clasped, and then over to me in wary interest

"Beck," his lad you could ht"

Stepping up to his ht kiss on her cheek "Motherlooking beautiful as ever"

His mother preens with the compliment

Beck turns to his father and merely nods at him "Merry Christmas"

"Merry Christ that these two have never hugged in their life

"And whoht to the party?" his aze to me in polite interest with a plastic smile on her face

"This is Sela Halstead," Beck says as he releases irlfriend Selamy parentsHelen and Beckett North"

I smile, reach my hand out to his mother, and say, "It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs North"

She takesher own smile in place As soon as she releases it, I offer rip is firmer, a complete businessman to the core

"Mr North," I say in greeting

"Well, welcome Sela," Beck's father says before he releases my hand, only to have his mom pounce immediately

"And where are you from Sela?" Helen North asks me with her chin lifted a little

"Belle Haven" And I swear, her nose actually wrinkles up a bit "But I' on my master's at Golden Gate University and have an apartment in Oakland"