“I’ll be fine. I’m just tired. I had a busy day.”
It was at least partially true. But more than that, I was freaking out. I was sweating, and I felt sick to my stomach. I wanted to be the brave, assertive woman I was in so many other aspects of my life. But when it came to my dad, I always felt like that excited seven-year-old rushing in to show him my artwork, only to have it dismissed.
Hunter rang the doorbell. “Come on.” He squeezed me before releasing me. “Let’s get this over with.”
A figure walked toward the large glass door. As she neared, I recognized the maid’s uniform but not the woman wearing it.Must be new.
“Miss Katherine.” She smiled at me. “And Mr. Hunter?” Her accent was heavy. French, if I had to guess.
“Yes,” Hunter said.
“Your parents are expecting you. Dinner is almost ready.” She stepped back, inviting us into the house that felt more like a museum of modern art than a home.
“Darlings.” Mother’s voice reached me from the top of the stairs. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
I glanced up to see her gliding down the stairs, cocktail in hand. Her hair, her makeup, her outfit were perfect. If you’d looked up Stepford Wife in the dictionary, you’d see her picture listed next to it. She’d undergone so many procedures to enhance her appearance, I’d lost count.
When she reached the foot of the stairs, she paused a moment as if she were posing for a picture. I bit my cheek, knowing better than to say anything. She never relaxed, never let her guard down. She was always performing, and I found it exhausting.
“Hunter.” She exchanged air kisses with him. “You look well.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
“And Katherine.” She turned her assessing gaze on me, scanning for faults, no doubt. “You look… Well, that’s an interesting choice of outfit.”
I tried my best not to roll my eyes. I was wearing a dress, a rather boring one, in my opinion. I’d tried to pick one of the least offensive ones in my closet, just so I wouldn’t have to hear about it. And yet…my mother still found a way to remark on it. I could only imagine how she’d react if she knew I had a nose piercing. I put in a spacer every time I saw her or Hunter just so I wouldn’t have to deal with comments.
“And pink hair?”
“Don’t worry,” I sighed. “It will wash out in a few days.”
“Come,” she said, ushering us toward the dining room. “We can discuss fashion choices over dinner and set up a date to go shopping together.”
“Where’s Dad?” I asked when we found the dining room empty. I wanted to tell them at the same time. And I wanted to do it soon—before I could lose my nerve.
“I’m sure he’ll be along soon.” She smiled, but it was forced. Just like our attendance at these mandatory family dinners.
She took a swig of her drink, her eyes focused on the backyard. I followed her gaze to where Santos the gardener was trimming a hedge. Her eyes lingered on him for a bit longer than was appropriate, and I startled when someone cleared their throat.
“Where’s dinner?” Dad strode into the room without glancing up from his phone.
“Nice of you to join us, dear.” Though Mom’s voice was sweet, it was almost overly so. And it was a thin veneer over the anger lurking just beneath the surface.
“I wouldn’t dream of missing family dinner,” he said, though it all felt like lines in a play. Everyone was playing their part, and it was a role none of us enjoyed. Lily was only exempt because she was working on a big case.
“Katherine,” Mom said as the salad was served. “We could meet for lunch near campus and do some shopping for the gala.”
I swallowed, psyching myself up to tell her it wasn’t necessary. Not only was I not interested in a shopping excursion, but my campus wasn’t where she thought it was. But then Dad’s phone rang, and Mom turned to glare at him.
“Daniel,” Mom chided.
He ignored her and answered the call, conducting his business in a terse voice before hanging up a minute later. Mom stared at him for a moment, and he didn’t flinch. Finally, she turned to Hunter with a smile, pretending as if it had never happened.
“What about you, Hunter? Is your tux ready? Do you have a date?” she asked, and I knew the moment had passed. My courage—and my chance to come clean—was gone.
“I’m all set,” Hunter said.
“Fantastic, darling.” I barely restrained myself from rolling my eyes. If only my parents would let me off that easy.
