“Heisnice,” comes my quick reply.
Her eyes dance over my features. “Do you like him?”
I don’t have to think about it. “Yeah. I do.”
“And he likes you?”
I bristle. “Yes. I think so.”
She tilts her head slightly, and I can see she’s holding back.
“What? Just say it.”
“I don’t… I…” She presses her lips together. “He gives me bad vibes. Men like him, they know how to read a room. Are you sure he’s interested in you for you? Does he think you have money or something?”
The back of my neck heats like a stove burner. “Men like him.” I puff out a breath. “And that means what, exactly?”
“You know what I mean.”
“No, I don’t. Tell me.”
She sighs, then unfolds and refolds her napkin on the table. “Well, he’s attractive, for one thing. But also young. He probably gets attention from a lot of women. Why is he spending so much time with someone—” She cuts herself off.
“Someone what, Corinne? Someone old? Someone my age? You’re right, how dare I hope he could possibly be interested in me?”
“You know that’s not what I meant.” She looks hurt, but so am I.
“Isn’t it?”
She takes a breath, her next words careful. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt. Or…or taken advantage of.”
Her words sting, her lack of faith in me hurts even worse. Like a bruise I’d forgotten about until she’d pressed down on it.
“I’m not stupid just because I’m old.”
“Mom—”
I cut her off. “I’ve been judging character longer than you’ve been alive, Corinne. I think I would know if he wasn’t who he says he is.”
She blinks, silent, and looks away. “I’m sorry.”
“I invited you here because I was excited for you to meet someone important to me. I should’ve known this was how you’d react. Should’ve known you couldn’t just be happy for me.”
She opens her mouth to say something, maybe to tell me I’m wrong, but then EJ is back.
He sinks down in his chair, smile fading as he senses the tension. “Everything…all right?”
I can’t bear to look at Corinne, so I turn my gaze to him instead, my voice tight as I fight back angry tears. “Corinne just had something come up. She’s not going to be able to join us for dinner after all.”
Concern washes over EJ’s face, and I’m furious at her for doing this. For embarrassing me and hurting him. “Oh, no. Is everything okay?”
We look at her then, and she hesitates. Something flickers behind her expression—regret, maybe. But she says nothing. Just stands from her seat and walks away.
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
CORINNE WILDE - PRESENT DAY
EJ glares at me, pacing the room with slow, deliberate steps. His hands are clasped tightly behind his back, so I can no longer see the gun.
