Page 47 of Miss Belief

She finally turned a slow gaze to focus on me.

Guess I was up. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Chandler.”

Her eyes raked down my dress to my shoes, clearly assessing exactly what I was wearing and if I was worthy. By the time she made it back up to my face, I lifted a brow, schooling my features to bored indifference. I hated the small amount of self-doubt that hit me under her scrutiny. Guess I now understood why Reid had dropped thousands on a suitable wardrobe for me.

“Be a dear and fetch your mother a drink, Reid. Gin martini, splash of vermouth, two olives, dirty.”

Jesus, even her drink order was fancy.

Reid’s glance toward me asked if I was okay being left alone with her.

I flashed him a brave smile. I had this. Maybe.

“I’ll be right back.”

I drained the rest of my drink, wishing it was a shot to soothe my nerves. But I wouldn’t give Reid’s mother the satisfaction of recognizing how anxious I was. I also wouldn’t be the one to initiate conversation as if I craved her approval.

“Reid hasn’t once mentioned you. Where are you from?”

“Originally from Los Angeles, but I’m currently living in Dubai.”

She rolled her eyes. “Both places are deserts with absolutely no history worth knowing about. I suppose you went to college in California too.”

Imagine if she knew I only had a GED. It was tempting to say fuck it and tell her the truth, but I wouldn’t embarrass Reid that way. “Yes, I went to UCLA.”

She sighed as if put off by the thought I’d attended a public university. “And your family? What do they do?”

“My mother and father passed away when I was younger. They were both in pharmaceuticals.” Neither of these were entirely lies. I assumed my father had been a drug addict like my mother, and both of them could easily be deceased.

I breathed a sigh of relief when Reid started walking our way, drinks in hand. But his mother wasn’t done.

“You’re appealing in a wild and unrefined way, my dear, but I should warn you. Reid always finds his way back to Vanessa. She has enviable genetics, deep family roots, and an impeccable upbringing.”

“You make her sound like a prize cocker spaniel.”

She smiled, the action not meeting her eyes. “There’s a lot to be said for pedigree. And to be clear. He’ll grow tired of you, same as he tired of all the other in-between girls. I would hate to see you get your feelings hurt.”

Yeah, I bet. I managed to keep my facial expression neutral even as her words hit home. Hadn’t Reid suggested the same thing? He didn’t want to risk another relationship right now. He’d inadvertently hurt a woman the last time he’d gotten involved with someone new after breaking up with Vanessa. “Your concern is touching.”

She shrugged, turning to Reid who’d arrived in time to hear my last words.

I took the drink from his hand before he had a chance to set it on the table.

“I always try to do right by my two boys. Now then, Reid, have you spoken with Chance yet?”

“No, we aren’t speaking at the moment.” He slipped his mother’s martini on the table before landing a kiss on my cheek.

“You two are brothers and the only siblings you each have.”

“Actually, we have six other half-siblings courtesy of your first husband.”

Her heavily botoxed face might have been frowning. “They hardly count. That you would bring them up displeases me. Chance will be here for the weekend, so you should take the opportunity to make up.”

The news settled like a pit in my stomach. I knew Chance’s presence would make this weekend much more uncomfortable for Reid.

“We’re not making up, Mother. What he did is unforgivable,” Reid said between clenched teeth.

“Nothing is unforgivable when it comes to family. Now then, I’m off to catch up with Vanessa’s parents. After all, we both want to see you two back together where you belong.”