Max nodded. “I’m just like you, Leigh. We may not have the same specifics, but I have passion and I want to change the world just like you. The White House isn’t the only way to do it, but it’s the way I want to do it. You need to know that.”
“But what if being with me hurts your chances?” Leigh asked. “Even if you end up with someone else, having been with me and tied to my family could hurt you.”
“It could hurt me or help me.” Max tossed the paper back on his desk and faced Leigh again. “But one thing is certain. I won’t be there with anyone else. Leigh, I love you in a way that I never thought I could again. If I get into the White House, it will be because of the man you will make me by being with you, not because of your name.”
“I can’t imagine you’d be too much of a hindrance in my goals,” Leigh said happily. “Not that I would be using you or anything.”
“Now I’m disappointed.” Max stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Ever since you walked into my office, I’ve been hoping you could use me a little. Right on this desk if you have the time.”
Leigh resisted the urge that the heat from his body caused. “This is going too well.”
“What do you mean?”
“We’re agreeing on everything.” She held her hand against his chest to keep him from leaning in for a kiss.
“Dr. Chase,” he said. “You have got to stop expecting everything to be so hard. Do you love me?”
“Yes,” she said breathlessly. She certainly did.
“And I love you,” he said. “Trust me, considering who we are, there will be plenty of time for the hard stuff. Let’s enjoy the easy while we have it.”
Leigh reached out and grabbed his tie, pulling him to her. She leaned forward and kissed him hard on the lips, savoring every bit of it.
“Lock the door,” she said. “We don’t want any pictures in the paper tomorrow.”
SIX MONTHS LATER
Janet Chase couldn’t imagine being happier, and as she sat in the front pew of a church that she had never been to before, she had to reflect on how lucky she was for this day to come.
Once Leigh told her that Max had proposed and that she had said yes, Janet was euphoric. Not because of what it could mean for the family, but because of the look on her daughter’s face when she told her. Leigh was happier than Janet had seen her in years, and even though the media had gone full-court press once the engagement became public, Leigh and Max’s relationship only got stronger. Their refusal to play it out for the press had in no way hurt his campaign. He was ahead by more than twenty points in an election only five months away.
Janet and Steven had done their part to make this as easy on Leigh as possible. They had a family “come to Jesus” meeting in which they asked all of their children to do the same thing they themselves promised to do: end the drama. At least in public. They knew that ending it altogether would be too difficult a task. Because of Leigh’s decision to be with Max, the public eye would be unforgiving, and everything they did would reflect on the woman who had quickly become the most famous Chase.
To Janet’s delight, the meeting had been somewhat unnecessary. Her children were already figuring out how to make sense of their lives and limit the foolishness to a minimum, which for them, was still more than most people. What mattered was that there was a different aura and sense when it came to her family. No, the dysfunction that took a lifetime to build wouldn’t disappear in six months, but things had definitely turned the corner for the Chase clan.
Well, at least for most of them.
Janet’s gaze went to Haley, sitting to her left. Looking at her, it struck Janet how beautiful and peaceful her baby looked. Of course, $30 million richer, who wouldn’t be happy? What was unexplainable was that she had not yet divorced Peter and was not dating anyone as far as Janet could tell. Janet refused to intrude as to why. She had made a promise to Steven to let their children live their lives. Although she wanted to believe that Haley had calmed down and was considering what it might mean to be married and be an adult, she knew her daughter, and she assumed Haley, being Haley, remained Mrs. Peter Hargrove because she had her eyes on more than $30 million. One had to take their blessings where they could with her youngest child, and while Haley had moved out and gotten a place of her own, knowing Haley was in L.A. to stay was good enough for Janet.
Sitting next to Haley, Daniel Chase looked incredibly handsome in his tiny suit and had done a perfect job as the co–ring bearer with his brother. No playing around, they had walked briskly and carefully as instructed, delivered the ring, and took their seats in the pew. Evan, sitting next to Daniel, seemed much more interested in turning his cummerbund in circles than the wedding ceremony. He was healthy and happy and showed no residual signs of his illness from the previous year.
This was the blessing that allowed Janet to reach within herself and accept what had come next. Michael and Kimberly’s second wedding was something that Janet made peace with before they had even announced it to the family. She had to in order to prepare herself for the inevitable. Janet would never pretend it was easy, but seeing Kimberly’s pregnant belly softened the blow considerably. Another Chase was on the way, and Kimberly would be the one to give this gift to the family again. For that, Janet would promise to try, and so far she had. As she looked at Kimberly sitting beautifully next to Evan, her hands on her belly, Janet could no longer convince herself that her hold on Michael was because of her exceptional beauty. As Michael had told her after announcing their decision to remarry, Kimberly was the love of his life, and there was nothing or no one who could ever change that. Janet intended to never try again.
Besides, their wedding, which took place three months ago, had only been the icing on the cake. After returning from the honeymoon, Michael had gone back to Chase Beauty and Steven appointed him as chief operating officer, one step closer to the crown and carrying on the legacy.
Then there was Leigh, and as Janet turned to look at her oldest daughter, looking as angelic as ever, she saw a different woman than before. She had always been the jewel of the family, the only really sane one among them. Janet had placed so much pressure on her to be the face of the Chase brand, because she was so beyond reproach. That pressure had led to good things and bad, and Janet blamed herself for Leigh’s reluctance to accept who she was and how her last name meant more to the world than she might have wanted it to.
But now she saw a woman who knew who she was and who embraced herself completely. Only this time, it was on her own terms. She wasn’t trying to be the good girl or please Mommy. She was pleasing Leigh and had taken complete control of her own destiny—which was to make history. Janet didn’t doubt she would get into the White House, either as the First Lady or as the president. Either way, she was getting the happiness that she deserved, and to Janet’s delight, she was putting up little resistance to her plans for the wedding of the year. They decided to wait until after the election, which gave Janet all the time she needed to make it perfect.
But for now she would enjoy today’s wedding, and as she looked at Carter and Avery standing together exchanging vows, a sense of completeness came over Janet. It had seemed like a decade to reach this point, but they were here, and Janet couldn’t help but believe that the union of these two was somehow a sign that the family was back in order.
Janet was amused at Carter’s attempt to maintain his manhood regarding their reunion. He had told the family that they simply wanted to give it another try and warned them not to get too excited. On the other hand, Avery had told the truth. She told them all how she poured her heart out to Carter but expected him to reject her as he had been. But when he showed up at her doorstep telling some silly story about being locked out of a storage unit, unable to get a painting and suddenly realizing how much he still loved her and wanted to try again, excitement was an understatement.
From Carter, Janet had gotten the impression that they would take it slow, but everyone knew better. S
eeing them together again was just too perfect and too right. Carter was happier than he had been…well, since he was engaged to Avery the last time. He continued to tell Avery he intended to be cautious and take it slow, but within weeks they were living together and within a month they decided to get married.
When Janet had asked Carter why the rush, he had simply told her it was out of his hands. Avery had owned his heart from the beginning and never gave it back. This had to be true, because Avery had accomplished what everyone believed was impossible. Carter had agreed to get married in a church. That was a miracle.
“This commitment symbolizes the intimate sharing of two lives and still enhances the individuality of each of you.” The young preacher paused to clear his throat. “Carter, do you take this woman to be your wedded wife? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health, remaining faithful to her as long as you both shall live?”
Carter looked into Avery’s eyes, which were welling up with tears. She had never looked this beautiful to him, and he had never been this happy. He had run right from that storage unit to the Jackson home and bared his soul to her. He tried to hold on to his pride by making some demands, but Avery wasn’t listening. She jumped into his arms and kissed him all over his face. After a while, he gave up and just kissed her back. They made love after that without any secrets or lies, without any husbands or girlfriends in the back of their minds. It was just each other. This, Carter told her afterward, was worth it. It was worth everything.
“I do.”
Avery felt the tension building up inside of her. With every second that passed, she was closer to her heart’s desire. She was really marrying Carter, and they would be a family. Six months ago, when he’d shown up at her house, he was both cursing her and professing his love for her. It was somewhat confusing, but she got the gist of it. He loved her and wanted her back, and that was all Avery needed to hear. One second she had thought she would be alone forever, because no man could ever compare to Carter. The next second, she knew she would spend forever with the man of her dreams.
She knew she should have been scared and had doubts that she could actually get back what she had. With the history between them, she should have waited for something to mess it up, but she didn’t. Each day, they connected more and the pain of the past washed away. They made new memories to replace the ones that hurt. They were once again parents, lovers, and friends. And now they were going to be married.
“Avery,” the preacher continued, “do you take this man to be your wedded husband? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health, remaining faithful to him as long as you both shall live?”
“You better,” Carter whispered with a wink.
“I do!” Avery surprised herself at how loud she yelled the words, garnering more than a couple of laughs from the guests. She didn’t care. “God, I do!”
Clapping had already started before the preacher could finish.
“Then by the power invested in me by the state of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss—”
Carter and Avery just couldn’t wait.
A READING GROUP GUIDE
GONE TOO FAR
ANGELA WINTERS
ABOUT THIS GUIDE
The questions and discussion topics that follow are intended to enhance your group’s reading of this book.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Do you think Avery deserved to be treated the way Carter treated her in the beginning of the novel?
2. Do you think Michael and Kimberly should have reunited?
3. Kimberly laid out some ground rules for Michael as a condition of their reuniting. Do you think Michael will stick to them?
4. Do you think Leigh genuinely came to love Max or was she just settling?
5. Do you think Avery and Carter should have gotten together in the end? Was it all worth it?
6. Carter had moved out from under his father’s thumb to an extent, but it was a longer journey for Michael. Do you think he’s finally over seeking his father’s approval?
7. Do you think it’s a good idea for Michael to come back to Chase Beauty?
8. Do you think Avery knew Anthony could walk but just ignored it because, as she said, she didn’t want to be alone?
9. What do you think of the effect Evan’s illness had on Kimberly and Janet’s relationship? Will the peace last?
10. Should Kimberly have told Michael about Keenan?
11. Do you think Steven really understood how his need to control his boys damaged his relationship with them?
12. Haley’s marriage was a side story throughout, but what did you think of the way the family handled it?
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From View Park
1
That Chase mansion was something else. Nestled in View Park, the affluent mostly African-American suburb of Los Angeles, it is by far the largest house in the entire community. Glorious, elegant and intimidating begin to touch on it. Most people just call it big, not only because of its size, but because of its residents. A family couldn’t be any bigger than Steven Chase and his clan, and no one was willing to admit how much they ached to know what went on behind the red brick and white columns.
The house, being only fifteen-thousand square feet, was not as big as it could be considering the money the family had. All of the homes they owned around the world focused more on elegance and class than size. Still, it was impressive with seven bedrooms and nine baths, not to mention the exercise room, game room, media room, and library plus more; the home had taken eighteen months to build. Steven had purchased it when it was 8,000 square feet, but as his millions grew, the house next door was purchased, torn down and his wife, Janet, had taken it from there. The stature that blended a sturdy East Coast feel with a flirt of southern gentility rejected any hint of West Coast flash. It resembled something more likely to be in Bel Air or Hollywood Hills with its tall gate, wide driveway filled with Mercedes, Jaguars and Lexus SUVs, large pool with cabanas, basketball court and a Caribbean colonial designed 2,000 square foot guest house. Contemporary frames, marble flooring, cathedral ceilings, granite countertops, five fireplaces and a double staircase that caused mouths to drop while making Town & Country, California Homes, and L.A. Magazine salivate delivered a lasting statement to those far beyond View Park.
The statement was class, sophistication and most importantly, power. It had to be. After all, the Chase family was one of the richest and most powerful African-American families in the country, the richest on the West Coast. No one could put a label to them, white or black, no matter how hard they tried, using every other rich family existing now and before them. The Chases never accepted any of those labels, seeing themselves as originals in every way. They were born leaders, attractive, well educated, philanthropic and seemingly unfazed by anything. They stayed away from the undesirable black wealth acquired by athletes, actors or entertainers. Only lawyers, doctors, businessmen, educators and politicians made up the world the Chase family ruled.
When it came to the various scandals, like any good rich family worth their salt, they had plenty. The general consensus among those who talk, and they all talked, was that the Chase family was special. Special in a way that any mistakes they made weren’t as bad as their charitable acts were good. None of their misdeeds seem to trump their place as black royalty. It was a payoff that others were willing to accept. More like…willing to embrace.
No matter how intense the scandal was, there was never a feeling that the Chase family was out of control. Steven Chase, the conqueror, raised his children similar to the way he had built his business. The foundations were strong and well supported, not only meant to last long after he was gone, but to prosper and dominate far after that. He was the ultimate symbol of that power and his
confidence left everyone in awe, especially his own children.
Only today, that confidence wasn’t as visible as usual. In his home office, elaborately decorated in cherrywood and rich, dark leather, Steven, looking much younger than his fifty-three years, sat uncomfortably behind his desk. He was a distinguished man heavy on control and light on affection for anyone except his wife. Running his hands over his salt and pepper hair, he shook his head in disappointment, his chocolate skin darkened from spending the day before on the golf course, a rare retreat for him.
His eldest son, Carter, the reluctant gentleman, was thirty and better-looking than any man had a right to be. His conservative style and calm, quiet demeanor drove his intense father crazy. Everything about Carter drove him crazy. The boy seemed determined to defy him since the day he was born. He seemed to take delight in doing anything other than what Steven wanted him to and making a success of his defiance.
Steven didn’t expect today to be any different as he looked at Carter sitting in the chair across the desk from him. Those incredible light eyes he’d inherited from his mother stared back saying he refused to let his father’s anguish affect him.
“So,” Steven said as he sighed, trying to focus on something other than why his firstborn son wanted to be his enemy. “When exactly am I ready to say we should panic?”
“You don’t panic, Dad.” Carter was unwilling to accept the blame this time. Whenever things didn’t work out at Chase Beauty like they should, he somehow shared the responsibility even though he didn’t work there.
“There’s a first time for everything,” Steven scoffed. “And I think this might be that time.”
He looked back at Michael, the favorite son, who was standing behind him, leaning casually against the bookshelf. It wasn’t Steven’s choice to make Michael his favorite and he would never admit to anyone, not even his own wife, that he was. He’d wanted Carter, but it became clear early on that that wasn’t ever going to happen. It was better this way. Michael was more like Steven: aggressive, hungry and willing to do whatever it took.
Gone Too Far Page 26