Chapter: 1578

Gerry, always the smooth talker, kept everyone laughing and entertained.

But Cliff, aloof as always, just sat quietly off to the side, watching the news.

“Where's Laney?" Madison asked, glancing over at Cliff. “Has she been really busy? It's odd not seeing her around at this hour."

Knowing the cause of Laney's absence well, Cliff chastised himself for teasing her the last time they met. It was immature for someone his age to act like that. But there was no way he would admit that out loud. Pushing the memory of their kiss to the back of his mind, he gave his mother a calm reply. “She's got a big competition coming up next month. She's been practicing like crazy for it.”

“I heard from the housekeeper that Laney hasn't been home in a while. She must be working hard," Madison said, sounding worried. "She should take a half-day off today. It's no big deal.”