One Night Stand novel · Chapter 19 of 24

Chapter 19: Preston's Dinner

Preston stopped in the doorway with his key card in his hand.

He looked at Mateo's open collar, at my blouse, and at the lamp lying on its side by the desk.

His smile did not change at all.

"I did knock," he said.

"You didn't," said Mateo.

"Then I should have. Forgive me."

He bent and set the lamp upright.

"I came to say that Grandmother has asked for a family dinner tomorrow night at my house.

"All of us. A truce before the vote. She was quite firm."

"We'll come," I said.

Mateo glanced at me.

"We'll both come," I said again. "Thank you, Preston."

"Wonderful. Cal, you look flushed. Get some rest."

He left, and the elevator chimed.

I had been gripping the strap of my bag so hard that it left a mark across my palm.

"Why?" Mateo said.

"Because I want to see him say it to her face."

His house was a narrow townhouse off Rittenhouse Square, all pale carpet and expensive silence.

A housekeeper took my coat.

Eleanor was already in the dining room, at the end of the table in black silk.

Her cane lay across her knees.

She looked me over once, very carefully.

"You came," she said.

"You asked."

"I did. Sit by me."

Preston served wine himself, which I thought was strange until I saw how much he enjoyed it.

He told a story about our grandfather's first hotel.

He asked after Otto and Dottie by name.

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