Morning sunlight filters through the windows as Victoria and I step into the living room, both still groggy from sleep.
The scent of fresh roasted coffee drifts from the kitchen, along with that sweetness that hangs in the air-perhaps that’s how the woman at my side got to be so sweet.
All last night, I tossed and turned, more than I ever did on the streets, unable to quiet my mind. Unable to think clearly with Victoria snoozing mere feet away.
Guilt over not coming clean begins to drift up, but I’m not ready to leave my anonymity behind yet. If I had my way, I might hide out here in Texas with her and her family. Just never return to my real life and all the duties that come with it again.
It’s not very realistic as far as goals go, but the truth of it rings through me all the same.
Anna pauses the rocking of her carved, wooden chair. The light clink of her knitting needles goes silent as she gives us a smile heavy with
I know what you two were up to last night.
Only in my wildest dreams, I think. Although I hope to get to a place with Victoria where she’s ready to unreservedly let me in like that. Something keeps holding her back, and I’ll honor that.
Even if it’s all I can do to not shout her praises and my affection for her from the rooftop.
“How did you sleep last night?” her mother asks us. Then, without missing a beat, gleefully adds, “Should I get started knitting baby clothes for my future grandchild yet?”
Victoria groans, rubbing her temples. “Mom, could you not? Even if you don’t want to play it cool, I’d like to maintain at least a semblance of that.”
“I think you’re cool,” I quickly reply, snagging her hand and bringing it to my lips for a kiss.
“Yeah,” she says, ducking her head as her cheeks go pink, “well you’d be the only one.”
Anna grins wider, the gleam in her eye suggesting I just won major brownie points. “Grandma’s off at church this morning, which means it’s just me holding down the fort. And today, I’m taking you both out to the town’s most popular restaurant for breakfast.”
She lifts the car keys off the side table next to her and waves them with a jingling flourish. “I’m fixin’ to brag to everyone in town that my daughter is marrying this handsome guy. They’ll be green with envy, I tell ya. This is gonna be so fun.”
“Guess that means we’d better shower and get dressed,” Victoria says.
Who am I to argue? Texas hospitality is something else.
The restaurant is the kind of place that’s steeped in the town’s cattle ranching history and has been around for generations-red leather booths, framed pictures of local cowboys and rodeo legends on the rough-edged wooden walls, and the rich scent of leather hanging in the air.
As we step inside, a bell chimes. A few older gentlemen even tip their hats in greeting.
“Morning, Miss Anna,” one says, offering a nod in my direction. “Is this your future son-in-law we’ve heard so much about?”
“Yes, and he’s such a keeper,” Anna says proudly, securing her hand in the crook of my elbow and jostling my arm a little. “We can’t wait for their big Christmas wedding-it’s all my mom talks about.”
Victoria shoots a nervous glance at me, and I do my best to silently assure her we’ve got this. It’ll all be okay.
“This restaurant has been around for fifty years,” Anna says as a hostess in boots similar to the ones Victoria usually wears leads us to a table. There are saddles and giant belt buckles hanging on the walls. “Victoria’s dad and I had our first date here.”
As we’re settling into a booth, sliding across the vinyl sets, a grating voice filters over. It seems especially jarring after such a welcoming setting and greeting, and familiar in a way I can’t quite place.
“Why if it isn’t my useless sister-in-law. Finally decided to come out of your smelly barn for some decent food?”
My muscles snap taut, coiling tighter and preparing to spring into action even more when Victoria stiffens beside me.
I follow her narrowed gaze to a woman in a complicated updo, the blond strands appearing brittle and overly processed. She’s dripping in flashy jewelry and designer duds, and I recognize the air of superiority immediately-I’d been around it long enough.
It’s one of the reasons I jumped at the chance to leave that world behind for a while.
Of course, I also wanted what was best for the company and family legacy. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciated all the luxury and freedom inheriting my father’s company afforded me. I enjoyed throwing myself into work and inspiring my team to leap into action.
However, I certainly didn’t miss interacting with snobs like this.
Anna sets her jaw, and I can tell it takes work to keep her voice level. “Linda, hello. I can’t believe I have to say this yet again. I am still your late brother’s wife. It wouldn’t hurt you to show some respect.”
The woman curls a lip and snarls, and I automatically wrap a protective arm around Victoria’s shoulders, keeping her close.
“Oh please,” she says with a roll of her heavily mascaraed eyes. “My husband is the general manager at the Jones Group. We’re on entirely different levels now. Just being seen with me is already a privilege for you.”
I make a mental note. Find out who her husband is and destroy him.
Going so far as to pull out my phone to text Luis for information, plotting revenge is cut short once the horrible woman’s attention lands on Victoria.
Her smirk widens, the expensive makeup and jewelry unable to hide the ugly beneath. “Oh, and Victoria, you’re here too. Jade told me you’re still just a lowly burger joint server in New York. It must be hard struggling like that, especially when my Jade is thriving.”
“Then again,” she says, studying her nails as though bored. “That’s always been the case with you two.”
Anna bristles and slams an open palm on the table, making our flatware and glasses rattle and jump. “That’s enough, Linda. My daughter works hard and earns her own money. She’s not beneath anyone.”
Least of all you, I think, securing Victoria closer. I’m ready to step in and assist Anna if needed as well. As long as she has it covered, I’ll refrain from talking over the top of her.
“Save your breath,” Linda says, her nose so up in the air it’s about to scrape the ceiling. “It’s not about working hard, it’s about money. Power.
Things some people just aren’t meant to have.”
She’s the worst type of person, and I’m about to open my mouth and tell her so when she seems to register my presence. “And is this Victoria’s fiancé that we’ve heard so little about?”
“Not that I blame you.” Linda cocks her head as if assessing me, and I barely refrain from lifting my middle finger. “What, is he another server? Or maybe a mechanic? Does he even make enough to buy bread?”
A derisive snort escapes me. If only she knew.
As she glances toward the doorway, there’s something extra nasty about the smile that curves her overly-collagenated lips.
Foreboding prickles my spine. I’m already grimacing and releasing an exhausted sigh as I turn in my seat to see what’s made a person that cruel so disturbingly happy.
Jade and Carl saunter into the restaurant, arm-in-arm.
Fuck, them again? I thought I’d gotten rid of them back at the airport.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.