But the size-two woman with a silver bob, on-point makeup, and ivory pantsuit that slays today and will slay for centuries to come is sophistication incarnate.
She’s about my height, but her impeccable posture makes her seem taller.
“Are we having a dinner party in a room built for two?” she says. “Or are all of you going to let our guests into the rest of the house?”
Has she seen Bash? Did he pass her on his way to wherever he and Marshmallow are playing?
Has she passed judgment on both of us already?
I know Jonas said he’d take my side if it came down to it, but I get the impression he respects his mother. Loves her, actually. And I don’t want to be the reason he severs an important relationship in his life.
“We’re playing clown car in the foyer,” Begonia says.
“And B counts for three,” Keisha says, “so I think that’s…not as many as we need to break a record.Dammit. Hayes, call the chef and your security team. Where’s my security team? Why didn’t I bring Millie? Oh, right. Elevation sickness. She’s getting here slower. Emma. I heard you know the owners of Toothy Bee Booch. Is that true?”
“Security,” I blurt and look at Hayes. “Don’t let Robert quit. And don’t fire him. Please. The elk wasn’t his fault. That happens on that curve all the time.”
“Robert won’t get fired,” Begonia assures me while Jonas attempts to nudge us deeper into the house. “He’s one of my two favorites.”
“He would’ve had to intentionally murder you, and even then, if it was justified…” Hayes agrees as he also encourages the party to make its way into the formal living room.
The one with the view that I still miss from my old house.
“He’d get fired if he murdered you,” Jonas assures me.
“Possibly,” his mother agrees. She’s waiting just beyond the foyer. “Or possibly not. Emma. Lovely to meet you. I’m Giovanna.”
And this is it.
This is the moment when I find out iflovely to meet yousecretly meansI look forward to slowly poisoning you so that I can rid my family of the most awkward new part of it.
I take her offered hand and shake, reminding myself not to pull a Theo and grip too hard. He’s somehow mastered the art of gripping too hard while not gripping so hard that you think it’s on purpose. It’s both annoying and inspiring in the moments of my life when I wish I understood how he does it.
“Hi. Begonia’s told me all about you.”
Her lips wobble.
I swear they do.
Jonas, though—he outright laughs.
And then he does the very last thing I’d expect, and he pats my ass.
Right there.
In front of his mother.
“And doesn’t that say all there is to say?” he says to her.
“You’ve often been my favorite son, but you may not stay my favorite for long,” she replies.
But where I expect daggers and brimstone, she’s…amused?
“Not his fault he can’t be as fab as me,” Keisha says. “Also, whatever B didn’t tell her about you, I willhappilyfill in the blanks.”
Jonas moves his hand to the small of my back and steers me around his mom. He pauses long enough to greet her with a hug and a peck to the cheek, but then he’s directing me into the living room and to a seat with a view of the mountains.
Keisha and Giovanna follow.
