Tim wiped his mouth on the napkin and stood beside her, doing his best to swallow the thick dessert.
“Jessica. You look lovely dear. The yellow in that dress brings out the blue in your eyes.”
“Thank you. Y’all remember my friend Tim, don’t you?”
Tim licked his lips and nodded toward the woman whose facial expression displayed annoyance. “Very nice to see you again, Mrs. Southers.” He turned to Jessica’s father. “Mr. Southers, I’m Tim. It’s nice to meet you.” He thrust his hand out and heartily shook the old man’s.
“Nice to meet you, Tim.” Daggers came out of Mrs. Southers eyes as she scowled at her husband’s pleasantries.
The four of them remained standing, Mrs. Southers making small talk while smoothing the front of her cream-colored gown. “Have you made any bids on the silent auction? The gifts are quite amazing this year.”
“Yes, I know. Elizabeth and I set everything up today. I’m hoping to snag that all-expense paid trip to Disney for the girls.”
Tim couldn’t help but smile, knowing he would try to make that happen for her.
“Jessica, may I have a word?” Mrs. Southers asked, her voice low and tempered.
Elizabeth rose from her seat and grabbed Tim by the hand. “Hey gorgeous, how about that dance you promised me?” She pulled him away from the table onto the packed floor.
“Elizabeth, I think it would be best if I stayed back and helped Jessica with her mom. She’s pissed seeing me here tonight.”
Elizabeth held the sides of Tim’s arms and looked up into his face. “I learned a long time ago you will never win an argument with that traditional woman. Jessica will be fine. She and her mother are Southern born and bred, both of them stubborn as mules. But if I had to make a bet, Jessica is going to come out on top of this catfight.”
Tim nervously glanced over at the table. “What?”
*
Jessica had her hands on her hips, ready for the stand-off with her mother. “Mama, there is nothing to talk about, okay? Can you please leave us be and enjoy tonight?”
Mrs. Southers strode to the corner, pulling her daughter by the wrist while Jacque and Mr. Southers started talking about the weather.
“Mama, what?” she whispered tersely.
“Everyoneis talking about you tonight,” she started.
“Oh, Mama. I don’t want to hear it.” Jessica’s shoulders sagged, wishing her mother knew the truth about Tim so they could stop this nonsense.
“Stephen is ranting and raving, telling everyone you’ve lost your ever-lovin’ mind. He’s so hot under the collar I wouldn’t put it past him to go after your girls just for spite. Everyone is snickering and shaking their heads. Is this what you want? Do you want your daughters to grow up getting made fun of because their mama fell for some blue-collar nobody?”
Jessica tensed and stood her ground. The thought of Stephen going after custody of her children wasn’t even on her radar. He could never do such a vile thing—or could he?
“That’s where you’re wrong, Mama. Stephen doesn’t care about his children. You really think he’d want to raise them? And Tim isn’t some blue-collar nobody. He’s a kind and decent man who has more character in his pinky finger than anyone in this entire room.” Snatching her clutch off the table, Jessica held her head high. “You’re gonna regret saying those words to me, Mama.” Gathering her skirt, she started to leave.
Mrs. Southers frantically tried to get in the last word. “You are a representation of this family Jessica Lynn. You need to start thinking about how your actions affect all of us, including those precious children of yours. If you don’t care about your reputation, at least think about your daughters…”
“I am.” Slinging her hair over her shoulder, Jessica pushed her way through the crowd to get away from her mother’s antagonizing voice. She needed a minute to collect herself, thankful that Elizabeth had diverted Tim’s attention on the dance floor. Once inside the quiet stall of the ladies room, she allowed herself to breathe deeply and wiped away a stray tear. Why did her mother always think so negatively? If she would trust her like she asked, she wouldn’t get so riled up and upset. Why did it matter so much what Tim looked like or what he did for a living? Were people really that shallow and glib?
The main door to the facility opened, and the click of several heeled shoes were heard on the marble floors. Jessica couldn’t help but overhear the animated conversation.
“Well, he is a handsome man. I’ll give her that.”
“But could you see yourself dating someone like him? Someone uneducated and doing manual labor all day? He probably doesn’t own anything outright.”
“Why does he need to own anything with a body like that?”
The three women sniggered uncontrollably.
“Well, maybe she’s making a point parading him around in front of her ex and his new fiancé. Maybe she hired him to do just that—to get back at him. A hired hand with benefits. Good for her.”
