“How lovely,” she said, eyeing Emmett like he was a juicy filet mignon.“Callie never mentioned she was seeing someone so...accomplished.”
I squirmed, irritation prickling under my skin.I knew that subtle jab was directed at me.Emmett must have sensed my discomfort because he reached under the table to squeeze my hand.
“Well, we try to keep things professional at work.But I was quite taken with your daughter the moment I met her.She’s remarkable.”Emmett smiled warmly at me, and my heart fluttered.
My mother preened at the compliment, no doubt picturing the status she would gain as the mother-in-law of a Price.
“Remarkable indeed,” she said.“I always knew Callie would land a big fish someday.”
I squeezed Emmett’s hand harder.My mother would see this as something to boast about to her country club friends.She didn’t care about my actual feelings for Emmett.In her mind, he was a trophy to elevate her status.Anger simmered in my chest.I was tired of her judging my worth by the man on my arm or the size of the ring on my finger.
I stood abruptly.“Mom, can I talk to you for a minute?In private?”
I didn’t wait for her answer, just strode purposefully toward the restroom hallway.With an exaggerated sigh, she rose and followed me.
In the privacy of the hallway, I wheeled on her.“What is your problem?”I demanded.
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t play dumb.You know exactly what I’m talking about!”
My mother blinked, feigning innocence.“Callie, I’m simply happy you’ve found someone special.A woman wants a man who can provide for her.”
“Is that all you care about?What someone can provide for you?”
She tilted her head.“It’s wise to consider such things.Love doesn’t pay the bills.”
I stepped closer and kept my voice low.“I can pay my own bills.And even if I couldn’t, I wouldn’t care if Emmett was penniless.”
Shock flashed across her face.“Callie!Don’t be foolish.You’re not going to want to work forever.You’ll need someone like him to support you.”
I let out a mirthless laugh.“You’ll never get it, will you?I work because Iwantto—because I enjoy it.And I love Emmett for who he is, not his bank account.”
She looked at me like I had three heads.I sighed and softened my tone.“Mom, I’m not you.I want more than just a cushy lifestyle.I want a partner who respects me and supports my dreams.Emmett does that.He sees me for me.”
I could tell she didn’t understand, but she stayed silent.
“Well, I’m going to use the ladies’ room,” she said eventually.
I nodded, and when she stepped around me, I saw our topic of conversation leaning against the wall.
I cringed.“How much of that did you hear?”
“Most of it.”He sounded casual, but I didn’t miss the grin threatening to break through his cool facade.
“You have a bad habit of eavesdropping, Mr.Price.”
He pushed off the wall and prowled toward me.
“Love, huh?”
I leaned my forehead into his chest.“That’s not exactly how I wanted to tell you.”
“I’ll take it, regardless.”He wrapped strong arms around me and kissed the top of my head.“I’m sorry if I made this dinner harder.I just thought it might be best to rip the band-aid off, you know?”
“It’s not your fault.She’s impossible.”
Emmett stroked a soothing hand up and down my spine, holding me while my anger dissipated.
