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“Anything really. When I was in school, it was mostly essays and thesis papers for other students. Now I edit work that is more commercial. I’ve been editing a lot of books lately, which has been a nice change of pace from all the formulaic editing I was doing.” She sounds so accomplished and I wonder what a day in her life looks like. I take a mental note to find out soon.
“So basically you’re unemployed. What, you couldn’t find a real job?” my sister snarls from across the table. She’s barely touched her food, and I can tell by the amount on her plate that she won’t eat much more. Taylor was always focused on her appearance, not in an unhealthy way but more in how others perceived her. Diets were always a common thing in our house. For years, we dealt with fad diets. Taylor wouldn’t eat meat, then fruits, then nuts, and then carbs. You name it, there’s a chance she’s read that it’s bad for you.
“Taylor!” I yell, hoping this ends before I have to end it.
“What? I’m just wondering why a guy like you would be with someone like her. I mean, how can you be attracted to that?” she snarls, pointing at JJ in disgust. My nostrils flare and I’m about two seconds away from hitting my sister when Derek clears his throat.
“Honey, calm down,” he says, taking her hand in his as he lightly strokes her knuckles. He kisses her head and smiles at her lovingly. “Remember that we’re starting our life together. Remember that I chose you, okay?” There’s a gasp from JJ and everyone’s eyes lock on hers across the table.
“Chose? As in there was a choice?” A shocked look crosses her beautiful face. Taylor starts laughing and I shoot her a look. This is turning into a disaster.
“Of course there was a choice. We were fucking for a year before he dumped your fat ass to the curb,” she sneers.
“Taylor!” my mom yells from across the table. “Language please. And there is no need to flaunt your happiness like that.” I give my mom a grateful smile, but she just shakes her head. I look at her, confused, then I notice the look on my father’s face and I realize they agree with Taylor. They think JJ is beneath me. They should realize that JJ is miles above all of them, especially with the way they’re acting right now.
“Mom,” Taylor scolds. “It’s not my fault that Derek chose me and it’s not my fault that he wanted to have a family with me instead of her. I mean, I feel bad for Liam that he feels he needs to be with someone like that. It’s just sad.”
“OK, that’s it!” I slam my fist onto the table and stand pointing my finger at Taylor, wanting nothing more than to smack her upside the head. JJ stands, tears in her eyes as she looks at my parents.
“I’m so sorry to have disrupted your dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Huntington. If you’ll excuse me.” She doesn’t wait for a response before she bolts from the room and down the hall. I look at my sister and wonder how the hell we come from the same family.
What the hell am I doing here?
I think to myself as I run into the nearest bathroom and stare at the mirror. I don’t belong here. Hell, I don’t even think Liam belongs here. But right now all I can think about is my overwhelming need to punch something…or someone. And that someone happens to be petite and blonde and related to my boyfriend. Fuck, I hope this doesn’t change the way Liam sees me.
“Angel? You okay?” Liam’s voice sounds strained through the closed door. He rattles the doorknob and notices that I’ve locked it. “Can I come in?” he asks sweetly, making my heart ache for him. I should never have agreed to come here. I knew the other shoe would drop, I just never expected it to be this horrible.
“I’ll be out in a minute, just give me a second, okay?” I hope he can hear the hope in my voice. Hope that we’ll be okay after this, even if his family hates me, and even if Derek will be tied to me forever. I shudder at the thought.
“Okay,” he says quietly. “I’ll meet you back at the table.” I listen to his footsteps receding away from the door and release a breath. As I inhale, I look at my reflection one more time. It has taken a long time to see the beauty in the woman staring back at me. She was never one to back down, even when pushed to the edge, and this time is no different. I stand tall and steel myself for the onslaught that will most likely meet me outside this room.
As I open the bathroom door and make my way back to the dining room, I hear Liam’s voice. I stop, standing there, listening anxiously.
“What the hell is your problem?” he yells as I wince at the ferocity of his tone.
“What are you talking about?” Taylor sneers, and I can’t help but roll my eyes at the girl who thinks she’s won some kind of life prize. “All I did was remind her of what she doesn’t have and what she deserves.” I hear Liam’s fist hit the table once more, as his mother gasps.
“She deserves so much more than this. You are treating her as if she’s the scum underneath your shoes. She doesn’t deserve that.” I smile as heat blooms in my chest.
“Sweetie,” his mother says calmly. “Is this really the girl you think should be associated with our family? She not like us.” Liam laughs.
“That’s exactly why I’m with her, Mother. She is nothing like you. She doesn’t care about my money.” His mother scoffs as if it’s a given that I’m a gold digger, that there’s no other reason to be with her son. “You can think whatever you like, but that girl you just insulted is worth more than all of this. I would give up everything I have for her…I love her. I will not stand by while you treat her like shit.” I hear gasps and I can’t hide anymore. He just said he loved me. I heard that right, right?
“You love me?” I ask as I enter the room, not seeing anyone else but Liam as his dark eyes meet mine, smiling.
“With everything in me,” he says, coming up and taking my face in his hands. “I would give up all of this for you, you know that, right?” The tears start to fall from my eyes, but this time they’re happy ones.
“You know I love you too, right? Not just your money,” I joke, sending him a wink that he just laughs off right before his lips touch mine. I forget everything the minute our lips touch, and all too quickly, he pulls away, looking down at me with heat in his eyes.
“You wanna get out of here?”
There’s nothing I want more than to get out of this house.
“You have no idea,” I mutter and he smirks, sending shivers through me as his fingers grip my hips.
“Let me get you out of here so I can show you just how much I love you.” I nod into his chest as he chuckles. He turns to his family and says, “We’re leaving.” He gently takes my hand in his, entwining our fingers. He brings his lips down softly on the back of my hand and I smile, knowing I’ve made one of the best decisions of my life.
“But, honey…” his mother starts, but his father holds up his hand.
