“The sandwich of all sandwiches,” she said with a wry grin. “And you do not have to convince me that domestic animal veterinarians like myself play an important role.”
“Then stop downplaying your worth,” Bryson said.
Her shoulders drooped. “It’s just that I wanted to prove that I could accomplish something without my parents or Cameron holding me up. It sucks that the thing I set out to achieve—saving The Sanctuary—may not happen. It just has me in a mood. I’m sorry.”
“Ev, it’s not—”
“I know there’s still a chance of saving it.”
“Then stop talking like all is lost,” Bryson said. “Who knows, this could turn out to be the best thing yet for The Sanctuary. We may find a building that’s even better to house it.”
She slanted an irritated look his way. “Why are you rationalizing everything when I want to wallow in my misery?”
“Because I don’t like it when you’re miserable,” Bryson said. “I take it as my personal responsibility to make sure you are never miserable.”
She snapped her head back and let out a crack of laughter.
“That is an undertaking that may be impossible even for the great Dr. Bryson Mitchell.”
“Are you challenging my abilities to bring joy and pleasure to your life, Dr. Williams?”
“No,” she laughed. “I am underscoring the unavoidable misery I will soon face.” Her mouth scrunched up in a frown. “My parents’ anniversary party is tomorrow. They will becelebrating forty years of whatever is the opposite of marital bliss. You would never know it by the show my mother will undoubtedly put on for everyone.” She looked over at him. “You should come with me to the party.”
Bryson drew back, giving his head a slight shake. “I don’t know about that, Ev. That’s really not my scene.”
She shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal. “What? It’s just a party. An elaborate, over-the-top party, but still just a party.”
“Exactly. An elaborate party with your parents and a bunch of people who are like your parents.”
“Wait a minute.” She held up a hand. “I’m usually the last person to defend them, but just what do you mean by a bunch of people who are like my parents?”
“Rich people, Ev. High-society people. Even though I technically do fit in with that crowd these days, I still don’t feel comfortable around them. I doubt I ever will.”
Her features softened with understanding. “Don’t let that get to you. I’ll be there. I promise I will not leave your side for a minute.”
She could glue their hands together and it still wouldn’t help.
“I’ll think about it,” Bryson said, although the thought made his stomach hurt. “Speaking of parents,” he said. “Do you want to meet mine? You can come with me to pick them up from the airport.”
Her brow furrowed. “Um, are you sure we’re at that stage? Meeting the parents, I mean?”
“Youjustasked me to come with you to your parents’ party.”
“Yeah, but you wouldn’t even have to meet my parents. They’ll be so busy putting on a show for the two hundredpeople my mother has invited that they probably won’t even notice thatI’mthere.”
“I want you to meet my mom and dad, Ev,” Bryson said, struck by how ardently he meant it.
“Will they like me, or will they judge me for my rich family the way their son did?”
“They will like you,” he said. “I’m sorry I ever told you about that.”
“I didn’t give you a choice,” Evie reminded him. Her chest expanded with the deep breath she sucked in. Bryson could tell she was struggling with the decision.
“Come on, Ev. My mother, for one, will love you. I can basically guarantee that.”
“Okay.” She nodded. “Okay. Let’s go.”
An hour later, Bryson, Evie, his mom, and his dad, along with Bella and Waffles, sat outside under the covered veranda at Morning Call. The legendary coffee stand had been around since the eighteen hundreds, and in Bryson’s opinion, served the best beignets in the city.
