Page 68 of Let Me Love You

My heart skips a beat. He has an almost desperate and lost expression that I’m fairly certain has nothing to do with me. What is it about? I reach out to touch his face, and he leans into my hand.

A few people have stopped nearby, watching us. So, I give him a gentle peck on the lips and allow him to lead Summer and me inside. If his mother gives Victor any sort of hard time, I’ll throw it right back at her. Nowhere in the contract did it state I had to be civil with her.

The entry way is packed with guests. Men and women of all ages are dressed elegantly as they mingle. I can’t help but wonder if any of these people have struggled a single day in their life.

As I’m about to scoop up Summer, Victor bends down and says, “Would you like for me to pick you up?”

Something clamps around my heart, threatening to squeeze until it bursts. He remembered seeing me do it when Summer is uncomfortable.

“Yes,” Summer says so softly that the noise around us almost drowns out her word.

A few men stop to say hello, and Victor introduces us, but we don’t linger. I’m not sure if it’s because he doesn’t want to talk to them or he doesn’t want to make us uncomfortable, but I appreciate it.

I inhale deeply. Stop overthinking about these tiny things or else you won’t make it out with your heart still in your possession.

A woman stops talking to a group of people and says hello. Victor greets her in return but keeps going.

“Do you really know everyone here?”

Victor bobs his head. “Most of these people are either shareholders of Barlowe Technology or someone that my father has done business with in the past.”

“I bet these types of events get lonely.”

He grabs my hand with his free one and squeezes. “Not anymore.”

I look up at him and give him a wobbly smile. He flashes me a blinding grin of his own in return.

As I’m about to say something, an unfamiliar voice interrupts us. “Darling, you’re finally here. Please, come with me.”

I glance over and find the woman who didn’t care her husband had a heart attack. Yeah, Victor told me that tidbit. Her long blonde hair—a shade of blonde that doesn’t exist in nature—is pulled back in some elaborate hairstyle that probably took hours to perfect. Her red gown makes it so every eye in the room is pulled to her. But her aging beauty isn’t what grabs my attention. It’s the disdain and cruelty in her eyes.

I grind my molars. If only I could tell her what I thought of her. But with all eyes on us, I keep my mouth clamped shut.

“Mother, we just arrived. I was about to get us something to eat.”

Mrs. Barlowe rolls her eyes and snaps her fingers. Three servers rush over, all carrying trays with different foods and drinks. I can’t believe a woman like this gave birth to Victor.

He plucks off tiny bits of food from one of the trays and says a quick “thank you” before offering it to Summer. She smiles while giving Mrs. Barlowe the side-eye and eats what looks like crab cakes.

His mother turns around with a flourish, the crystals on her gown glittering from the chandelier light, and Victor sighs. He hands Summer to me and says, “I’ll be back. I won’t put you two through whatever this is.”

I keep my eyes on Victor and his mother. She turns, disappearing out of sight, but Victor pauses and gives me a reassuring smile before following her. I can’t help but selfishly heave out a breath of relief.

Whatever she wants to say won’t be appropriate for Summer’s ears.

Chapter 31

Victor

Iclose the door behind me and turn to face my mother. No one has to hear what comes out of her mouth next, especially not Serenity or Summer. Receiving abuse from my mom wasn’t part of the contract.

“Why have you sequestered us away?” I demand.

“I haven’t seen you in months, and the first time I do, you bring this woman who you supposedly love. Not to mention, she has a child.” She says the word “child” like it’s a curse.

“The child’s name is Summer, and she’s our daughter.”

She rolls her eyes. “She’s not in here. You don’t have to pretend.”