“Everything will be fine, I promise.” Putting the car in park at the end of the driveway, I turn toward the woman I’m supposed to be in love with.Which is turning out to be a lot easier than I imagined.Making sure her gaze is locked on mine, I take a deep breath. “No matter what happens in there, you and me? We’re a team. Whatever is said, whatever is insinuated, I can hold my own. And while I have no doubt that you can, too, you don’t have to. Because I’ve got your back. Got it, Calloway Leora?”
A small smile cracks that terrified facade. “What’s your middle name?”
Shaking my head, I grin while I unbuckle my seat belt. “Grant.”
Callie hops out of the car with much more gusto than I'd imagined, humming a Christmas song. “Oliver Grant Rhodes,” she muses to herself. Callie looks over at me and smiles that breathtaking smile. “I like that. It just kinda flows, you know?”
Rounding the car, I throw my arm around her before placing a kiss on her temple.
“What’re you doing?”
“Playing the doting boyfriend, in case they’re watching. Can’t be too careful,” I murmur into her hair. I breathe in deep, really hamming it up.
“Mm good call,” Callie says, wrapping her arms round my torso, “though they don’t really bother with me unless they have to. So it’s not very likely anyone’s looking.”
Knowing we already look like the perfect couple in love, I pull her in close. The walk to the door is too short as we pass three luxury vehicles coated in fresh snowfall.
We’re definitely late to the party.
“Do any of your siblings have significant others?” If so, it says something about which family home they’ve been at all day.
Callie shakes her head. “Nope. Prescott used to seriously date this girl back in law school, but they broke up a long time ago. None of the others have anyone, though.”
“What about Connie and Ian’s brother?”
Playfully rolling her eyes, Callie smiles. “Maybe one day. Oh, there’s one other thing I should mention.”
“Consider my interest piqued.”
“My parents love when my siblings challenge each?—”
“There you—and just who is this?” A tall, slender woman in her early sixties stands with the front door wide open. Dressed in a cream blouse and matching slacks, Lillian Rutherford is everything I’ve pictured as Callie’s mother. Thin lips purse as she takes me in, medically enhanced cheekbones prominent with the movement.
“Ready or not,” I whisper as I unlatch myself from Callie, immediately missing her warmth. But that woman did an incredible job of holding up her end of the bargain.
Now, it’s my turn.
Pasting a smile on my face, I start this bizarre game of chess. “My name is Dr. Oliver Rhodes. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Rutherford,” I hold out my hand, “You have a lovely home.”
Lillian Rutherford takes my extended hand automatically, gaze still flitting between her daughter and myself. “Um, it’s a pleasure to meet you, doctor.”
“Mom, I’m so sorry I forgot to tell you. I just wasn’t sure if he’d make it. Oliver is my, um, boyfriend.” I can practically hear Callie cringe behind me.
Lillian’s eyes widen at the word.
“But I figured, since you asked a couple weeks ago, it would be okay if I brought him today,” Callie continues. “If not, I’m sure he can wait in the car or something.”
Pressing my lips together, I work hard to keep my scoff internal.
Her mother’s manners kick in then, dropping my hand and ushering us toward the house. Well, mainly me. “Please, come on in, doctor. You must be freezing.” She keeps a couple paces ahead, overaccommodating with me while all but ignoring her daughter.
Frowning, I hold out a hand toward Callie, ensuring she keeps pace with me.
Reminding her that we’re in this together.
She shoots me a grateful smile, one that tells me just how forgotten she feels by her family.
When we meet Lillian at the door, impatience seeps into hawklike eyes as she appraises Callie’s appearance.
