Elena saw Chloe and opened her arms.
“My beautiful girl!”
Her voice carried across the room.
“I dreamed of this day,” Elena said, loud enough for Julian’s family to hear. “You have no idea how long I’ve dreamed of seeing you like this.”
Chloe smiled, but I knew that smile. It was polite, not warm.
“I’m glad you made it,” she said.
Elena touched Chloe’s cheek.
Then she turned to me. “David.”
“Elena.”
Her eyes moved over my suit. “You look tired.”
“Fifteen years of parenting will do that.”
Julian shifted behind her.
Elena’s smile tightened. “Don’t start today.”
“I wasn’t planning to.”
“This is Chloe’s wedding.”
“I know. That’s why I’m here.”
Her eyes sharpened. “You always were good at making yourself look noble.”
