"A leap of faith ends in disaster without a solid financial foundation. This is a statistical fact. I'm not making this up. Financial incompatibility is a problem and shouldn't be ignored in favor of romance and butterflies in your stomach."
"Is that what happened to you?" I asked.
His expression shuttered. "Our conversation is about Blossom and Manuel."
"I don't know, sounds like you're projecting the mistakes from your failed marriage onto our children."
He chuckled, and despite knowing it wasn't a real laugh, I couldn't help but notice how much more handsome he lookedwhen the scowl on his face was replaced by a smile. And why did my heart make an odd little leap, as if an electrical spark had shot through the muscle? As if I enjoyed the sound of his amusement?
"You've got some nerve accusing me of projecting when it's obvious you're projecting. You're determined to prove none of the practical aspects of a relationship matter because... let me guess... you had all the practical matters attended to when you married, but the chakra was off. Am I right?"
"Not once did I use the word chakra, you ass."
He flung his hands in the air. "Oh, now I'm an ass. You want to see an ass? Check the mirror, lady."
I shot to my feet, my chair scraping the floor. "I'm so glad we had the opportunity to meet. My daughter deserves better than to marry into a family that considers her a financial risk."
He muttered a curse under his breath, but I heard the f-bomb loud and clear. I'm not entirely certain he didn't want me to hear it.
"No one said?—"
"You didn't have to." I snatched up my purse. "My daughter is smart, capable, funny, charming, loving, and on her way to great things. Her lack of current employment doesn't make her unworthy of your son."
"I never said she was unworthy." Jamison's eyes flashed as he looked up at me.
"You implied it with your fifty-fifty comment and your concerns about Manuel's savings account." I turned to my daughter. "Blossom, we're leaving. Let's go."
Her eyes widened with mortification. "Mom, I can't?—"
"Let's. Go."
Right then, the server returned with Jamison's wine.
"Thank you." He took the glass before the server could place it on the table and gulped a mouthful as if it were hard liquor.
"Ma'am, is there something I can help you with?" the server asked, looking confused because I was standing at the table.
"I'm fine, but I'll be leaving shortly. Could you give us a moment, please?"
"Of course." He backed away and went to tend to one of his other tables.
Manuel stood abruptly. "Ms. Washington?—"
I lifted my hand. "It was very nice to meet you, Manuel." I swung my gaze to his father. "You, not so much."
Jamison narrowed his eyes, opened his mouth to say something, and then closed it immediately. He then started eating his steak.
Asshole.
"Blossom.Let's. Go."
My daughter stood slowly, head bent.
Manuel briefly grabbed her wrist. "I'll call you," he said.
She nodded and meekly followed me out of the restaurant.
Chapter 6
