A couple of minutes later, James and Leslie arrived back at the mansion.
The drive from Rodeo Drive had been quiet — not from awkwardness, but from the lingering intensity of what happened earlier.
The Lexus LS500 purred softly as it rolled to a gentle stop in the driveway. James stepped out first, grabbing half the shopping bags from the trunk, while Leslie reached for the rest.
Between them, they carried a small fortune in clothing — perfectly curated outfits for both the luncheon and the formal dinner event that followed later tonight.
They stepped into the cool interior of the mansion, greeted immediately by the welcoming aroma of citrus cleaner and faint lavender candles burning near the foyer.
Patty was seated in the living area, a magazine open in her lap and a steaming cup of tea on the side table. She looked up and smiled warmly when she saw them enter.
"Back already?" she asked with a playful glance at the bags in their hands.
