This Tangled Thing Called Love: A Contemporary Romance Novel by Marie Astor

inviting us for the weekend. David’s told me so much about you.” The last part was not true at all – David had been conspicuously silent about his parents. Claire had always attributed this fact to David’s sensitivity about “having it made” as Allan Lawson’s son, but now, noticing the way Sylvie lowered her eyes at her polite remark, she was no longer sure.
    “David, my boy, it’s about time.” Allan Lawson put aside his paper and glanced at the clock on the wall. From a distance, he looked to be in his late fifties. He still had a full head of hair, albeit gray, and his trim, toned body was clad in well-fitted, weekend clothes.
    The living room was enormous in size, with carefully placed designer furniture and custom-made drapes. Everything was either pastel or beige, with color being allowed only for the art pieces that adorned the white-washed walls. Out of the corner of her eye, Claire glanced at the impressive art collection and recognized Matisse and Picasso. Those were no lithographs either, but originals she remembered seeing catalogued in private collections.
    “Father, you remember Claire?” David smiled as they approached Allan Lawson’s chair.
    “Yes, yes, of course.” Allan Lawson made a jerky move to get up, but he sank back into his seat awkwardly. A brief expression of frailty crossed his face, betraying his real age, which had to be somewhere around seventy. David rushed to his side. “I’m fine, I’m fine.” Mr. Lawson waved David’s arm away. “Very nice to see you again, Claire.”
    “Likewise.” Claire smiled as Mr. Lawson took her hand. By now Mr. Lawson had recovered his composure. His handshake was one of the firmest Claire had ever encountered.
    “Lunch will be at one, dear.” Sylvie Lawson appeared by her husband’s side. “Claire, you must be exhausted from the drive. Let me show you to your room.”
    Claire cast a brief glance at David, hoping he would come along.
    “Go ahead.” David smiled. “I’m going to keep Dad company .”
    “It’s just up the stairs,” Mrs. Lawson began when Stephanie appeared in the hallway.
    “I convinced Louise to serve lunch outside,” Stephanie announced.
    “Wonderful.” Mrs. Lawson patted her daughter on the arm. “I was just about to show Claire to her room.”
    “I can do that.” Stephanie jumped up and down. “Please, let me!”
    “Oh, sure. I’ve got to go check on the kitchen anyway. I’ll see you later, Claire.”
    “Come on, I’ll race you!” Before Claire could say a word, Stephanie dashed up the stairs.
    “I won!” Stephanie announced triumphantly when Claire joined her.
    “Yes, you did.” Claire smiled, trying to keep the puzzled expression off her face. In the words of Alice upon finding herself in Wonderland , things were getting curiouser and curiouser .
    “Your room is this way.” Stephanie grabbed Claire’s hand and pulled her down the corridor. “ Tadaaa !” Stephanie swung the door open and twirled inside.
    “It’s lovely.” Clair noticed that her overnight bag had been brought up. The guest room was as opulent as the rest of the house – a four-poster bed, a fancy dresser, and an antique writing desk.
    “Oh, I almost forgot.” Stephanie pulled open the closet door. “It’s black tie for dinner, so Mom’s prepared this dress for you.” Stephanie pulled out a ruffled gown of pink silk. “And shoes.” Stephanie held up a pair of silk pumps.
    “It’s gorgeous!” Clair touched the silky fabric. “I just hope it will fit.”
    “Size four?”
    “I’m afraid not. I wear a six.”
    “That sounds just like Mom. Leave it to her to instill an inferiority complex for wearing a perfectly suitable dress size.” Stephanie shook her head.
    “I guess my cocktail dress will have to do.” Claire unzipped the travel bag with her dress and held it up for Stephanie’s examination.
    “Come with me.” Stephanie grabbed Claire’s hand and steered her into the hallway.
    “Here we are.”