She'd always known exactly how to make me feel like I owed her.
And I'd just proven that it still worked.
I drove back to my apartment on autopilot, my mind already dreading Saturday.
Whatever my mother had planned, it wasn't going to be good.
And I had no idea how to prepare for it.
•
Saturday came too fast.
I stood in front of my bathroom mirror, trying to make myself look presentable. My hands were shaking as I applied mascara, had to wipe it off twice and start over.
The suppressant patch on my hip felt like it was burning through my skin. I'd applied a fresh one an hour ago, taken three pills instead of the recommended two. It wasn't enough. Nothing was enough anymore.
My heat was so close I could taste it. Another day, maybe two. My body was a live wire, every nerve ending hypersensitive. The dress I'd chosen, a simple navy blue sheath, modest and appropriate, felt like sandpaper against my skin.
But it was the kind of thing my mother would approve of.
And I hated that I still cared about that.
My phone buzzed on the counter. I grabbed it, hoping it was Luca.
It was my mother.
Remember: 6pm sharp. Edward is very punctual and I will not have you embarrassing me by being late.
Edward.So that was the "special guest's" name.
Another text came through before I could respond:
And Reina? Please make an effort with your appearance. First impressions matter.
I looked at my reflection. The dark circles under my blue eyes that no amount of concealer could hide. The way my blonde hair, even freshly washed and styled, looked dull. The slight flush on my cheeks from the fever building in my system.
I looked sick.
Because I was.
I typed back:I'll be there.
Didn't wait for a response. Just set the phone down and finished getting ready.
Luca had texted earlier, offering again to come with me.
You don't have to do this alone. I can be there in twenty minutes.
I'd declined.
I can handle my mother. It's just dinner.
He hadn't pushed, but I could feel his disapproval through the phone.
Jaxon had called from the road, his team bus headed to their away game.
"You sure about this, Pretty Girl? Because I can fake an injury. Be back in the city in three hours."
