If what he’d said about his parents was true, then Bryan would be seen as the weak link, their way in.
I straightened my back, reminding myself that I couldn’t be his weakness.I tightened my grip on Bryan’s hand like it was a lifeline.He squeezed back, but didn’t look at me as we slipped by a group of men.
He guided me toward the large window overlooking the back of the vast property.A couple—dressed similarly enough to mark them as a pair—stood in conversation with a man who appeared to be their age.Their smiles were polite but still professional and cold.
And the man talking to them knew he didn’t have them.
Hello, Bryan’s parents.
Bryan’s mother was tall and slender, her features a mirror of the ones I’d grown so familiar with in him.She had light brown hair, dark eyes.Her dress was long and black.
His dad, who was also tall, was the one with the black hair, styled back away from his face.He wore glasses.His tailored suit fit his figure perfectly.His sharp, dark eyes scanned the room as he pretended to listen to the mayor’s enthusiastic chatter.
Bryan wrapped his arm around me, pulling me into his side, his hand resting against my waist.
“Dad.Mom.”His voice was calm, carrying a weight I hadn’t heard before.
“Oh, Bryan.”His mom’s smile widened, but it was still cold.Practiced.“So glad to see that you were able to join us.”Her gaze flickered to me.“Who is this?”
“I’d like to introduce Cadence Wiles, my girlfriend.”
Both his parents were looking at me now, their expressions betraying only the slightest flicker of surprise at the announcement before they schooled their faces into what was probably their go-to polite neutrality.
“Cadence.”His mother’s tone was cool as she gave me a quick glance over, assessing every detail of my appearance.There was a reason it took so long for Janice to help me get ready.“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise.”I extended my hand.She hesitated for half a beat before shaking it briefly, as though touching me was beneath her.
Bryan’s father nodded curtly.“Bryan hasn’t mentioned much about you.”Clearly, he had no interest in shaking my hand.
“We’ve recently started dating,” Bryan spoke up.“She’s been a part of my life lately.”His hand tightened around my waist.“That’s why I wanted to introduce her to you today.She’s been wonderful.”
“Has she?”his mother murmured, her gaze flickering to my dress.I knew it wasn’t up to the shimmering elegance that adorned her body, but I knew it was still on par with the others in the room.
“She is,” Bryan said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.He was making a stand for me against his parents.
Both of them stared at him, giving none of their thoughts away.The silence stretched, but not for long.The mayor seized the opportunity to redirect the conversation as he captured Bryan’s dad’s attention.Sensing an out, Bryan tugged me gently away.
“They’re not so bad,” I whispered sarcastically as we walked.
Bryan snorted.“Trust me, that was them being on their best behavior.Let’s grab food.”
There was a huge buffet laid out with a bunch of artistically arranged easy finger foods.
“Are these edible or one of those weird food art pieces?”I asked.
Bryan chuckled.“Safe to eat, I promise.”He grabbed something on a cracker and stuffed it into his mouth to prove his point.He grimaced, but managed to turn it into a smile.
“Palatable?”
“Just pretend it’s amazing.”He grabbed a small plate and filled it with random stuff.I followed along.As we walked to a side table, we guessed what we were about to put into our stomachs.None of what we said sounded appetizing.
We were sitting for all of thirty seconds when a group of women approached.They were dressed nicely, jewels adorning their ears, neck and wrist.Their heels clicked against the marble floor and a couple of them quickly adjusted their hair.
“Bryan,” one of them said brightly, her glossy red lips curving into a big smile showcasing her perfect white teeth.“I knew I’d get to see you here today.”
It took me a moment to realize it was Elisa Kramer.I had met her at the last function Bryan brought me to.She was a very confident girl, knowing exactly what she wanted.
“You’re Elisa, right?”I said, holding out my hand.“I met you at a dinner party a few weeks ago.”
