“And how do you like teaching?”
Luna felt Davis growing tense underneath her. As much as she preferred the small talk, she knew he needed to clear the air with his mother. “It’s very fulfilling. Um, Davis and I wanted to talk to you about something.”
“Oh?” Ian leaned forward, all ears. Sophia studied her manicure.
“Yes,” Davis said. “It’s about what you said to Luna four years ago, Mom.”
Oh, so we’re jumping right into the frying pan, Luna thought.
Ian’s eyebrows disappeared into his hairline as he focused on his wife. “What did you do?”
Sophia uncrossed her legs and recrossed them, shifting in her seat. She didn’t respond.
“She waited until I went to the bathroom and you were getting a drink to decide my future for me.”
Her head snapped up. “That’snotwhat I did.”
“Isn’t it?” Davis fired back.
Luna swallowed the lump in her throat and gripped her hands tightly together. “In my opinion, four years of me avoiding every advance Davis made because of your interference would equal deciding his future.”
“I didn’t ask your opinion, did I?”
“Sophia!”
She sank into the cushions behind her at Ian’s tone.
“Why in God’s name would you speak to Luna in that manner?”
“I only want what’s best for him!” Sophia shouted at Ian.
Luna mumbled, “What a coincidence.”
“Mom, you can’t decide for me. If Luna had been after fame and fortune, that would have been my mistake to make. Your actions caused the exact opposite of what you intended. I would have been happy with her for the past four years instead of trying to convince her to go out with me at every turn.” He leaned around Luna to narrow his gaze on his mother. “I’ve beenmiserable, Mom.”
Sophia sighed. “I am sorry for that.”
“But not for what you said to her?” Ian asked. “Then and a few minutes ago?”
Sophia threw her hands up. “Okay, yes. I shouldn’t have opened my mouth, but she’s a stranger! How was I supposed to know she wasn’t looking for a handout?”
“She isn’t a stranger, she’s my fiancée. Don’t ever speak to her that way again, or you’ll be the one that’s cut off. I love Luna, and you must respect her.”
Sophia narrowed her eyes. “You’ve never spoken to me that way before her.”
“Wrong. I’ve always spoken up for myself when necessary. You can’t blame my ire on Luna.” His arm tightened around Luna’s waist. “If you want to be in my life, you have to accept the fact that Luna is moving in with me, that I’m planning on proposing to her, and that we will be married soon. If you want to attend said wedding and meet future grandbabies, then figure your shit out.” Davis nudged Luna until they both rose. “We’re leaving within the hour. Make your decision.”
Luna shook like a leaf all the way up the massive front staircase and to the third floor. She feared Sophia would choose stubborn pride over her son, but at least Ian liked her. Davis wouldn’t be cut off, but he might have to cut his mother out of his life. Luna didn’t like that idea.
As soon as Davis closed his bedroom door behind them, Luna spoke up. “I don’t want you to pick me over her.”
“That’s my decision to make, Luna.”
She dropped her head. “You’re right, but I don’t like it.”
He tipped her head up with a finger under her chin. “I love you with everything I am. I would give up all I have to be with you if it came to that, including my snobbish mother.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”
