Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 89592 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89592 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
At the moment, the frown marring his face isn’t complementing his good looks. He looks pissed as fuck. The longer I remain silent, the more pissed off he seems to become. I’m nearly amused.
“What exactly are you embarrassed about?” I sigh.
“I have to agree with your father for once,” my mother miffs as she joins my father’s side.
I lift a brow and tilt my head at her. She looks as pissed as my father does. I’m curious as to how this is going to play out at this point.
“Mother,” I croon, giving her a smile, revealing my teeth.
“Don’t you mother me,” she snaps. “I would expect this from Cane. Gregor, maybe, but not you. Why would you announce to the world you’re engaged without saying a word to me and your father? Do you know how embarrassed I was to be at tea, only to find out that those hags were gossiping about my own sons’ engagements?”
“It wasn’t my intention for you to be embarrassed,” I say in exasperation. “Things leaked faster than I intended.”
“Leaked,” my mother shrills, placing her hands on her hips. “You had an engagement party at that club of yours. I know you too darn well, Clay. You knew what would happen.”
My mother pauses, rolls her lips, and places a hand on her forehead. She shakes her head, then looks at Sidney. Her eyes widen in horror as if just realizing Sidney is with me.
“Oh, my. This isn’t how I would have liked to meet you. You must be Sidney,” my mother says, her tone changing completely. “This is my husband, Clooney and I’m Eileen. It’s so nice to meet you.”
I love my mother. She can go from zero to a thousand at the drop of a dime. Not many outside of our home know of the fierce force she can be. Watching her genuinely welcome Sidney brings a smile to my face.
I rub my hand up and down Sidney’s ribs to relax her. I’m sure her reaction is because of the shrewd look my father is still giving her. He’s accessing his new competition. Oh, yes, Sidney is competition all right. I know the man and I know how his mind works.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Sidney directs her words toward my mother.
Mom lifts her gown and comes closer. She looks lovely tonight in her black dress. Her hair pulled back in her signature updo. My mother’s makeup is always flawless.
“Wow, just look at you. You’re simply stunning,” she coos, cupping the sides of Sidney’s face. “Seeing you makes me very happy. It gives me hope to someday have grandchildren.”
Sidney goes ramrod straight once again. When my mother releases her face, Sid looks up at me with panic in her eyes. I smile down at her. Dipping my head to kiss her lips softly.
“I can’t say I haven’t had the same thought a few times today, Mother.” I chuckle.
“We haven’t even finished planning the wedding,” Sidney says, while eyeing me warily.
“Oh, Dear. I think Gregor was conceived the night of our engagement,” my mother says, her cheeks turning a rosy pink. “The men in this family go after what they want.”
I clear my throat in unison with my father. I can see the embarrassment in his cheeks as well, but he plays it off. I can tell he’s still pissed, but he finally offers Sidney a greeting.
“I guess you’re officially family now, with those intimate details,” he rumbles. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I would’ve liked to meet you a long time ago, but it’s still my pleasure.”
“Things have been interesting in my…our lives. The engagement was very surprising for me as well,” Sidney offers.
“Yes, you have been through quite an ordeal. I have to say, a day ago, this would have been a conflict of interest for me. Now that you’re engaged to my son, I’ll be making sure to engage that conflict,” my father says firmly.
“I have it handled,” I say, sharper than I intend.
My father waves me off. “You have a wedding to plan. I’ll ensure things are restored,” he says boastfully.
I bite my tongue; otherwise, this will turn into a battle of wills this evening. I’m not here for that. Well, technically, I am, but I’ll be steering this ship.
“I’m sure whatever you two are talking about can wait. Sidney, I think you and I should make our way to the dining room. If we stand here with these two, there’s no telling what kind of mess will splatter our fine gowns,” my mother teases, wrapping her arm with Sidney’s and pulling her away from me.
I’m bereft the moment she’s no longer at my side. I literally ache with the absence. It’s the strangest feeling.
“I questioned this sudden engagement when your mother dropped the bomb on me. Then I picked up the paper to find more evidence of her sobbing words,” my father murmurs beside me. I turn to find him watching me.