Mom and Dad join us, just as we’re chatting to one of our great aunts. At least, my sister’s doing most of the chatting which suits me, since my social skills appear to have gone into hibernation.
“Harmony, dearest.” Our great aunt grasps my mom’s hand and gives her a little shake. “Such a shame dear Russell couldn’t be here today. I was just saying to Charity, I’m sure this will all blow over very soon.”
Oh for God’ssake. I’m not going to stand here while Mom twitters on about how we’re just taking a little break—
“Grace and Russell have broken up, Dorothy,” my mom says, and I nearly drop my cocktail glass. “It’s a terrible shame, but these things happen.”
Wait. What? Since when has Mom accepted that decision? I didn’t think she believed I was serious even when she met Zach on Sunday. Otherwise why did she ask Russell if he was still coming to Thanksgiving today? I catch Charity’s glance, and she gives a barely perceptible shrug.
“Oh, I’m sure it’s nothing serious.” Great Aunt Dorothy bestows a benevolent smile my way. “You two are destined to be together. The merging of two great dynasties. Imagine the heritage you’ll be able to pass down to your children.”
Charity chokes on her drink, and I stand there with a stupid smile on my face, when all I want to do is tell the whole room that for the last month I’ve been enjoying wild sex with mybiker fuck.
“It’s more important that Grace is happy with her decisions.” My dad gives me a strained smile, and for the first time it occurs to me that Mom probably told him all about meeting Zach on Sunday. And he’s not freaking out?
“Thanks, Dad.” I could leave it at that. The fact they’ve both finally accepted it’s over between Russell and me is a huge step, but if I don’t say it now, when will I? If being with Zach taught me anything, it’s that I need to stand up for what I believe.
Luckily Great Aunt Dorothy decides to move on to another group of captive relatives, so I take a deep breath and plunge in. “There’s something else I’ve been meaning to talk to you about. I’m resigning. I’m going to open my own business, the way I’ve always wanted to.”
“Grace, sweetheart.” My dad, who possesses nerves of steel in the boardroom sounds completely out of his depth. “Let’s not rush into anything. We can talk about this next week.”
I nearly agree, especially since a few more relatives have joined us, as though they can smell the blood in the water. Except I’ve put this off for far too long, and it took Zach to make me face it.
“There’s nothing much to discuss. I’ve wanted to do this since I was seventeen, so I’m not rushing into anything. I’m just finally taking control of my own life.”
“We didn’t realize you were so committed to opening your own cupcake shop.” Mom gives Dad’s arm a gentle squeeze. “You haven’t said anything to us about it in years. We thought you were happy at work.”
Did they really? For a moment I think about it, and it’s a shock to realize she’s right. Sure, I took my courses, but I never actually told them how much I grew to resent working in the family business. Why did I always think they knew about my dreams but didn’t care about them?
I take a fortifying sip of my cocktail before making the decision and handing my glass to Charity. I was wrong about how I thought Mom and Dad would react to my resignation. Maybe I’ve always been wrong and they never expected me to always be thegood daughter. It was just my eldest child syndrome kicking in.
My heart pounds as I slowly inch my sleeve over my wrist, displaying my delicate iris. Every time I see it I’m going to be reminded of Zach, but I guess in time it will just be bittersweet instead of plain depressing.
Mom hitches in a dramatic gasp and then grips my arm and stares at the tattoo as though she’s never seen one before.
“An iris.” There’s a strange, choked tone in her voice, nothing like the dignified disapproval I’d imagined. “After my mother?” She looks up at me and I’m totally freaked to see she has tears in her eyes.
“Uh, yes. I always wanted to get a tattoo done in her memory.”
“I need a Scotch,” my dad mutters, and a waiter appears like magic.
“It’s…” Mom clearly struggles for words. “It’s very tasteful.”
“Huh,” Charity says. “You didn’t thinkminewas tasteful.”
It’s a surreal moment. My parents aren’t responding how I thought they would to either my resignation or tattoo. I’ve misjudged them and their expectations of me all these years, and that’s kind of unnerving.
“So, are things serious between you and Zach?” Mom finally releases my arm and Dad swallows his Scotch in one gulp. “Perhaps you’d like to invite him round some time over the weekend?”
Perfect. They’re willing to accept I want to change everything in my life, and now I have to admit the rebel I fell for really was nothing but the biggest mistake I’ve ever made.
Before I can think of the right words to say, my cell buzzes and shatters the moment. Thank God I forgot to switch it to mute. I’m so relieved by the distraction I snatch it up and answer before checking the ID.
“Grace?” His voice is little more than a growl in my ear.Zach’scalling me? I should hang up. That’d show him, but I’m frozen to the spot. “Tell your fucking monkey at the gate to let me in.”
Chapter Seventeen
Zach
