Hometown Star by Joleen James Page A

O’Brien.”
    “Cade O’Brien?” her mother said, the words gushing with pleasure. “Dan’s son? Well, didn’t you grow up to be a handsome man, just like your daddy.” Her mother smiled, extending her hand, complete with hot pink acrylic nails, to Cade.
    Star’s stomach tightened. She didn’t want her mother touching Cade, not even in greeting. And then it hit her. She was jealous, jealous of her own mother.
    “Destiny.” Cade took her mother’s hand. “Nice to see you again.”
    Destiny practically purred. Star wanted to puke. Cade pulled his hand free.
    “What’re you doing here?” Star asked Cade.
    “Picking up clients.” He focused his attention on Star now. “Their flight arrives in about five minutes. We could have carpooled. I don’t have to ask why you’re here.”
    “Mom came to see Will,” Star offered, although she wasn’t sure why she was telling him anything.
    “It’s true, I did,” Destiny said. “I couldn’t stay away.”
    “Of course not,” Cade replied his tone congenial. He looked to Star. “We’re having a fish fry tomorrow night. Why don’t you and your mother come for dinner?”
    Before Star could say, fat chance, her mother said, “We’d love to. Wouldn’t we, Star?”
    “I don’t know,” Star hedged, rummaging for a plausible excuse. She couldn’t watch her mother paw Cade all evening. She’d rather chew broken glass. “Brandi—”
    Her mother cut her off. “Will be fine without us for the evening. Unlike you, she does have a husband, remember?” Destiny gave Cade her killer smile. “What time should we be there, Cade?”
    Star’s stomach rolled. Her mother was hitting on Cade. Good grief.
    Cade grinned. “Six o’clock.”
    “We’ll be there.” Destiny gave him another man–eating smile.
    Thankfully the luggage began spouting out and landing on the conveyor belt with a thud.
    “Come on, Mom.” Star took her mother’s arm. “The bags are coming.”
    “We’ll see you later, Cade,” Destiny said with a wink.
    “I’m looking forward to it,” Cade said, his eyes on Star.
    Star led her mother to the luggage carousel.
    “What’s your suitcase look like?” Star asked.
    “It matches my carry–on. It’s hot pink.”
    As if on cue, a hot pink suitcase popped out through the opening. Star hefted the bag from the carousel. “Come on, Mom, let’s go.”
    “You’re always in a hurry, Star. Chill out.”
    Star walked from baggage claim. She didn’t even look to see if her mother followed or not. They’d only been together for minutes and Star was annoyed already.
    Once they were in the car and on the road, Star said, “Brandi’s really excited to see you, Mom.”
    “I can’t wait to see her.” Destiny looked out the window. “I swear I’ve never understood the appeal here. All this green. All the rain. All the snow.”
    “Come on, Mom,” Star said. “Admit it’s beautiful country. Seward is gorgeous. Where else can you get a three hundred and sixty degree view of the mountains? And the bay. I mean, I’m not Alaska’s number one fan, but even I can’t deny the beauty.”
    “If I remember correctly, the town reeks of fish,” her mother said, her nose wrinkling.
    “True,” Star agreed. “I guess it’s a tradeoff.”
    “I’ll take the desert any time.” Destiny gave her a tight smile. “So how long are you staying on?”
    “I’m pretty much done with Patsy’s place,” Star told her. “I’m supposed to be back in Seattle a week from Monday. I’ve been working from here, but I’m nearly finished. Brandi wants me to stick around, but I’d like to leave sooner.”
    “You’re such a Cosmo girl.” Her mother smiled. “I envy you, Star.”
    “Really?” Star asked, surprised.
    “Of course. You’ve always known what you wanted. You’re a go–getter.”
    “I guess.”
    “What’s Cade’s story?”
    Star bristled. “Don’t you think he’s a little young for you?”
    Her mother laughed while at the same time