This kind of wealth is obscene, and this house is nothing like his dad’s and Dawn’s homey place in North Bend. Don’t get me wrong, that’s a massive house and very impressive too but in a much more subtle manner. It’s a true family home with dogs running around, toys, games, and sports equipment underfoot, and it’s lived in. I feel comfortable there, whereas I’m immediately uncomfortable amid all this opulence.
It's not at all what I was expecting either. I thought his mother would go for an old-worldly charm with wood paneling, ornate papered walls, patterned rugs and carpets, and antique mahogany furniture. Instead, the house feels light and airy as we follow the butler on pristine gray-and-white-marble tiled floors, passing by light-colored walls adorned with modern art, and tall tables housing glass lamps and vibrant vases filled with white roses.
I can’t deny how stunning this house is, but it feels more like a model home than somewhere you’d actually live.
As we bisect other hallways, bypassing rooms exquisitely decorated with contemporary furniture and glossy hardwood floors, I feel like I might be sick. I don’t belong in a place like this, and I instantly feel underdressed and out of my comfort zone.
Today is going to be ten million times worse than I imagined.
Sensing my inner panic, Garrick rubs soothing circles on the back of my hand with his thumb, but it does nothing to quiet the mounting alarm invading every nook and cranny of my being.
That sensation multiplies when the butler leads us into a long wide room where several people wait for us.
So much for it just being his mother and her boyfriend Winston.
The governor, his wife, Cristelle, Pepper, and an unfamiliar man all turn around to greet us with matching tight smiles. The three women are wearing expensive over-the-top ballgowns, and I feel like I’ve shown up in my nightgown.
Anger radiates off Garrick in potent waves as he tightens his hold on my hand and glances at me. His eyes plead for understanding behind his fury, and I’m glad he’s surprised. If he had been a part of this ambush, I would turn around right now and walk out of his life.
Garrick leans in to kiss my cheek, brushing his lips against my ear. “I swear I didn’t know she’d invited them.”
I squeeze his hand in reply as I swallow back nerves and plaster a fake smile on my face. It will just be like at Sand Point during any of those times I had to wait on pompous rich pricks and their bitchy wives and girlfriends. I can fake it with the best of them, and I’ll hold it together until we can make our escape.
“Darling. Don’t whisper. It’s rude.” Ivy strides toward Garrick wearing an elaborate blue ballgown that sweeps the floor as she walks, not even looking in my direction.
Garrick is like a pot ready to boil over. I can almost see the steam billowing from his ears. Judging by the looks exchanged between the governor and his wife, it’s evident they spot it too.
The way I see it, we have two choices. Leave now and make it clear we don’t appreciate being ambushed. Or suck it up for a few hours, bite our tongues, and play this stupid charade until we can leave at the earliest opportunity.
As much as I loathe his mother, and I really do, she would not take kindly to being shunned by her son in front of her VIP guests. Garrick has only just repaired his relationship with his mother after it broke down over me. There are plenty of other reasons for him to cut ties with the interfering bitch, and I would prefer that over something that potentially has the power to come between us in the future. So that only leaves option number two.
Sucking it up and pretending.
Staying here, in the face of a setup, requires enormous lady balls, and I intend to prove to Ivy bitchface that I have them. It also sends a message to Pepper that I’m not threatened by her.
So, I’m going nowhere.
Even if I’d rather bathe in hot oil than sit through Thanksgiving dinner with these obnoxious people.
Digging my nails into Garrick’s hand to reclaim his attention, I subtly shake my head just as he prepares to give his mother hell. His brow puckers momentarily as he stares at me, and his Adam’s apple bobs pointedly in his throat. Quickly recovering his composure, he smooths out his expression and bends down for his mother to kiss him on both cheeks.
“It’s so wonderful to see you,” Ivy gushes before her mouth pulls into a narrow line. “Did you forget your tie?” She snaps her fingers over her head, and a young man, dressed in a similar uniform to the butler, races across the room from his stationary position at the wall.
“Mom, don’t start,” Garrick says as Ivy eyeballs the poor server and demands his tie. The man raises fumbling fingers to the black tie around his neck as Garrick’s jaw pulls tight.
There is nothing wrong with what Garrick is wearing. He has on a light-blue dress shirt, open at the top, and pressed black slacks with matching dress shoes. He looks handsome and smart though he’s underdressed compared to Winston, the governor, and the unidentified man shuffling awkwardly on his feet behind Pepper, who are all dressed in custom suits with ties.
“Leave it,” Garrick snaps at the poor server before whipping his head around to his mom. “Drop it,” he says under his breath. “Or I’m leaving.”
Ivy looks momentarily annoyed before she plants a false smile on her face to match the false laughter that falls from her lips. She casts a quick glance in my direction for the first time. “It’s clear neither of you got the dress code memo, but never mind.” Her disdainful eyes are like claws raking down my body. “It’s your presence that matters,” she adds as Garrick moves in closer, wrapping his arm protectively around my shoulders.
“These are for you,” Garrick says in a clipped tone, thrusting the bouquet at his mother.
“Oh, how lovely.” Taking the pink, white, and purple floral arrangement from her son’s hands, she barely glances at them before handing them off to the server.
“They are from Stevie,” Garrick adds, tightening his hold on me. “From her nana’s greenhouse. Stevie picked and arranged the bouquet especially for you.”
“Garrick said gardenias were your favorite,” I say in my most serene tone. “I hope you like them.”
