“Looks like you’re more like Douglas than I thought,” Maureen interrupted with a shake of her head. She turned to Reagan and said, “Sorry, but I imagine you’ll be out of her life as soon as she’s had her fill. Discarding old playthings is what her father does best. Better watch your wallet around this one, Jillian. These sluts are all the same.” She paused for a beat and crossed her arms. “Now, come inside. The last of the guests are leaving and you need to say goodbye.” Without waiting for any sort of acknowledgment, she walked into the house.

Jill turned to Reagan with an apology on her lips, but when she saw Reagan’s arms wrapped tightly around her torso and how she wouldn’t meet Jill’s gaze, the words felt inadequate. She couldn’t believe her mother. Well, she could. It was just like her to project her own insecurities on someone else.

She took a step forward with her hand outstretched, wanting to comfort Reagan in some way, but Reagan stepped back at her approach. “Reagan—”

“Not a word, huh? You just let me stand here and listen to that. Do you have any idea how that made me feel?”

Her voice was hard and barely above a whisper. The pain in it made Jill’s stomach drop. “I’m sorry. After I do this one final task, I’ll talk to her. There was no excuse for the words she said. They’re not true. At all.”

She fought the urge to reach for Reagan again, but even she could read Reagan’s body language. And right now it was screaming, “Stay away.” Instead, she clenched her fists at her sides and swallowed against the sudden nausea she felt as Reagan continued to avoid her gaze. “She has no right to talk to you like that, and I’ll make sure she knows that. Will you wait here for me? I’ll be back as soon as possible. Then I can take you home and we can talk.”

All Jill received in reply was “Mmm.”

She stormed into the house, but forced herself to calm down as she made her way to the front door. Jill needed to put on a polite smile and fake pleasantries for the departing guests. Once her duty was done, she’d let her mother know exactly what was on her mind. It was time for her to realize she couldn’t just walk all over people, especially when the person in question meant so much to Jill.