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He nods, leading me outside and over to his car. I give him directions as we navigate our way through the traffic and up into the Hollywood Hills. There’s a valet working at the gate of my parents’ property, and I try to roll my shoulders back and ease some of the tension starting there.
“It’s going to be okay,” Rhett whispers in my ear, and I take a deep breath, relaxing as Rhett takes my hand and we head into the house.
The party is in full swing, and I look around for my parents.
“Do you want to seek out your parents or let them bump into us?” Rhett asks as I look around the front sitting room.
“Let’s do a round. I’m sure that we’ll run into them.”
Sure enough, as expected, my mother is posted up in the living room, holding court. I’m sure my father is in his study doing the same, and I paste on a smile as I lead Rhett in her direction.
“That’s her?” He asks once we’re closer, and I nod.
“Hey, mom,” I say brightly, and she turns in my direction, her eyes locking on mine and Rhett’s clasped hands.
“Quinn, darling,” she says, her smile turning fake and brittle around the edges as she takes in Rhett. “Who is your friend?”
“This is my boyfriend, Rhett,” I say, my voice barely wavering.
Rhett squeezes my hand in encouragement, and I relax slightly.
“It’s nice to meet you, ma’am,” Rhett says when my mom doesn’t say anything.
“What do you do for a living, Rhett?” She asks, and he smiles blandly.
“I was in the SEALs, but I got out a few months ago and started my own security company with a buddy of mine.”
“Oh, how… nice,” she finishes lamely, and I want to drag Rhett out of there then.
“Thanks,” he says, squeezing my hand to keep me from saying anything.
“Have you seen Tripp yet?” She asks, turning to me.
It’s obvious that she’s done speaking with Rhett, and I’m embarrassed with how she’s behaving right now. She can have all the money in the world, but it still can’t buy her any class.
“No, not yet. We just got here.”
“I think that he’s with your father in the study,” she says, and I nod.
She turns back to her friends then, and I know I’ve been dismissed. I nod toward the kitchen doorway to Rhett, and he nods, letting me lead him in that direction.
“So, that was my mom,” I say once we’re somewhere a little more private.
“She seems, uh…” he trails off, and I laugh.
“Yeah,” I finish for him, and he smiles.
“Should we meet your dad now?”
“I think we’re going to need food and something to drink first.”
“Lead the way.”
I smile to myself, taking his hand and leading him closer to the kitchen door. Servers are coming in and out, and I swipe two goblets of water while Rhett handles the food.
“I have no idea what any of this is, but it looks good,” he says, and I laugh.
“Let’s see how it tastes.”
