Brynn goes next, resting a hand lightly against my belly. “Fucking stunning, and gosh I couldn’t have planned our arrival any more perfect.” She laughs, and my flush only deepens.
“Could have given me a heads up, guys. Your mom almost walked in on us…” I pause, not wanting to think about what we were about to do.
“It’s your home, Monroe. You can do whatever you want on your kitchen counter. I’m just glad she saw it. She’s been a little skeptical about your relationship, talked about it the whole way here.”
Nash lets out a grunt but doesn’t comment on what he witnessed. “I’m going to need a drink. Make it a double,” he says, and Jase joins him, the two of them heading toward the bar in the dining room.
Just then, the front door swings open, and this time we’re prepared. Billie saunters in, curiously looking at the four of us standing in the kitchen. “Aww man, what did I miss?” she asks as she comes over to join us. She hugs me, and suddenly I’m at ease.
“I’m so glad you came,” I tell her, squeezing her tight.
“Trust me, there was no way I was going to miss this shitshow,” she says excitedly. Bailey punches her in the arm. “Ouch, I mean it’s all going to go perfectly.” She gives me an apologetic smile, but I know she’s right.
Magnolia finds her seat, but before she sits, she returns to Jase. “Your father thought it was best to skip out on tonight's dinner since…” she looks over at Nash, “you were having guests.”
“Smart man,” Nash mumbles under his breath, though we still hear it.
This is going to be a shitshow.
This is a shitshow.
Half of the table can’t even look at each other, let alone have a decent conversation without it turning into a full-blown argument, while the other half—Nash, Billie and me—are too anxious to speak.
Why did I agree to this?
Right, to prove to Jase’s mama that I’m not the woman she thinks I am.
The girl she looked down on for tarnishing her sweet daughter's reputation and committing her to a life of darkness because she got a tattoo. The one she secretly loathed, which for so long I never understood, until I realized it’s because my mother had an affair with her husband. Of course, one that had nothing to do with me, but a scorned woman never sees reason. And now, I’m the woman who’s trapped her beloved son, forcing him into a life of sin, having a child out of wedlock and living in his home without a ring on my finger.
I’m Magnolia King’s worst nightmare.
“You know,” Magnolia says, dabbing her mouth with her napkin, “Indigo and I went to this cute little Italian restaurant in Rivers Bend last week. It was exquisite. The bolognese I had there was the best I’d ever tasted. This one’s not bad, but Indy knows how much I love authentic Italian cuisine.”
I drop my fork with a loud thud while Brynn nearly spits out her wine in shock. I knew the woman was going to criticize everything about tonight—and me—but the audacity to criticize my cooking all while referring to how much better Indigo is, is farther than I’d assumed she’d go.
Jase nearly spits out his drink at the mention of Indigo, and I don’t blame him. I expected his mama to weave her into conversation at some point tonight. I’d prepared for it after my run-in with Indy at the farmer’s market. Not that I’d told Jase about it.
Other than this dig at me and mention of her son's ex-girlfriend, Magnolia’s kept the conversation polite. “So, Monroe, do you think you’ll stay here after the baby is born?” she asks, swirling her fork through the strands of pasta.
Bailey and Brynn exchange a look like they know exactly what their mama is up to, while Nash glances between Jase and me, his expression unreadable.
Jase catches my hand under the table, his thumb brushing my knuckles. The small gesture keeps me grounded as I reply.
“Yes, the plan is to stay here. I plan to take a few months off work once the baby is born.”
“Nonsense,” she says. “There will be no need for you to work once your child is born. Jase can more than provide for the two of you.”
“I understand that, but I love my job and I wouldn’t know what to do with myself if I didn’t work.”
“Of course not. Working is unacceptable. What will people say if they know you went back to work and are not staying home to care for your baby?”
Jase answers her before I can. “Mama,” he says, his voice stern with an edge of warning underneath. “If Monroe is happy working, then that’s what she’ll do. I won’t keep her from doing what she loves.”
Bailey smiles into her wineglass while Brynn clears her throat like she was trying not to laugh. Nash leans back, arms crossed, as if waiting to see what Jase’s response will be.
“Indigo would never humiliate the family this way. She is the epitome of class and elegance. Of course, Jase knows that. She’spoised and proper, from an excellent family with a high-status and wealth to match our own.” Her eyes flick to me, cold and assessing. “The kind of woman worthy of the King name.”
Jase stiffens, his voice now deep and authoritative. “Mama?—”
