She lifted her face up to his and pressed a fierce kiss to his lips. “No, he isn’t.”
Bryson was just about to deepen the kiss when a cool, composed voice killed the mood quicker than a bullet to the heart.
“Evelina, look who’s joined us.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Evie closed her eyes for the briefest moment before releasing Bryson’s lips and turning to face her mother and her ex. She could only hope the smile she offered was convincing enough to conceal the fury building within her. She entwined her fingers with Bryson’s and tucked herself against his side.
“Hello, Ev,” Cameron said, his gaze squarely on Bryson. He stared at his old classmate with overt contempt in his cool blue eyes.
“Cameron,” Evie returned. “It’s quite a surprise to see you here.”
“It shouldn’t be a surprise at all,” Constance said, patting Cam’s forearm. “We’ve considered Cameron part of this family for years.” She gestured to Bryson. “Cam, this is Brian, a friend of Evelina’s.”
“Bryson,” Evie corrected her.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” she said.
“Actually, I knew Cameron before I knew your daughter,” Bryson said. He took a step forward and stuck a hand out to Cameron. “We were lab partners at LSU.”
“Oh, really!” Constance said. Her surprise was genuine.
Instead of accepting Bryson’s hand, Cameron brought his champagne to his lips while sticking his right hand in his pocket.
Evie heard Bryson’s low chuckle, but she had no idea how the sound made it past the blood angrily pounding in her ears. She had to count to five to stop herself from unleashing the obscenity-laced tirade that was sitting like rancid bile on the tip of her tongue. She wasn’t sure who she wanted to direct it to, her ex-fiancé or her mother.
Tami, the event coordinator, swooped in next to Constance. “Dr. Williams, it’s almost time for the toast. Are you changing into the gold?”
“Yes! The toast!” her mother said. “Cam, you will join us on the dais, won’t you? It wouldn’t feel right not to have you there.”
“No, he isnotjoining us. He is not family,” Evie said.
Bryson gave her hand a gentle squeeze. Evie knew she should wait until the party was over before addressing the flagrant disrespect her mother showed to her by inviting Cameron, but this felt purposeful. Her mother knew exactly what she was doing.
“I’ll be right back,” Constance said. “I have a special wardrobe change for the toast.”
Evie let go of Bryson’s hand. “I’ll come with you.”
“No, Evelina. I want this to be a surprise.”
“I’m coming with you,” Evie repeated in a voice that brooked no argument.
Her mother’s lips thinned in an irritated smile. “Fine. You can help me change,” she said in a calm, controlled voice. She looked to Tami. “My daughter will help with the dress. Why don’t you make sure all is in place for the toast?” She turned to Evie. “Well, are you coming?”
Evie could feel her anger rising as she followed her mother into the house and up the stairs. Once Marshall left for college, her mother remodeled his bedroom and the adjoining guest room into a dressing suite that was as large as some studio apartments.
The minute they entered the dressing suite, Constance turned and said, “I don’t want to hear your mouth, Evelina. You’re here to help me change into my toast dress and that is all we’re doing.”
“Do you think I give a damn about some toast? Why would you invite Cameron to this party, Mother?”
“Evelina, watch your mouth,” she warned in the tone she used whenever Evie got out of line as a teenager, but she was no longer a child.
Evie folded her arms across her chest. “We are not leaving this room until you explain why Cameron is here.”
Constance turned and walked to a black garment bag hanging next to the floor-to-ceiling mirrored panel. “Help me with this,” she said.
“Why did you invite him?” Evie asked. “Cameron and I are no longer together. I didn’t think I would have to expressly tell you that he is no longer invited to family functions.”
