“Okay,” I draw out the word, grabbing my phone to check the time. “It’s twelve fifteen. I’ve still got plenty of time to make myself presentable.”
She rolls her eyes, a smile twitching her lips. “So, how’s the internship going?”
Sighing, I sit up, giving her my full attention. “It’s good.”
Her brows raise. “Just good?”
I shrug. “There’s not much to tell you, Mom. It’s busy, but I’m enjoying it. I helped Uncle Christian and Aria this week, with a project they’re working on, which was fun.” My smile is wide as I remember how they both took me seriously when I pitched ideas for the new line.
“And what about Evan? Everything okay there?”
Just the mention of his name has my stomach fluttering. That man… the things he does to me without even trying. I smirk. “Yeah, it’s fine. You know how Evan can be, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”
She studies me, a knowing glint in her eyes. Then she sighs. “That crush of yours, it isn’t going anywhere, is it?”
I freeze, my eyes widening as I choke on my own breath. “What?”
She laughs, rising from her lounger. “Oh, sweetheart. You didn’t really think you were being subtle, did you?”
Shock washes over me. What the hell is going on? First Harrison, now Mom? It’s obvious I’ve not been doing a very good job at hiding my feelings. I really need to work on my poker face.
I could deny it. Tell her she’s imagining it. But what’s the point? I don’t want to hide how I feel.
Exhaling, I shield my eyes from the sun as I meet her curious gaze. She brought it up. Now it’s time for her to learn the extent of my feelings. “It’s not just a crush. I love him, Mom.”
By the way she sucks in a sharp breath, her eyes wide, I know she’s shocked. “Love?” she gasps. “Jesus, Anais. I thought it was just a little innocent crush.”
I shake my head, pressing my lips together. Embarrassment slithers through my veins. I can’t believe I said that out loud. Nothing has ever happened between Evan and me, and though Mom would never judge me, I just admitted I’m hopelessly in love with a man who might not feel the same.
God. I really am an embarrassment to womankind. And yet, I can’t help the way I feel.
“Don’t give me the,you’re young, you don’t know what you wantlecture, Mom.” I warn softly. “I know how I feel. I’ve been in love with him since before I knew what the word meant.”
She searches my face for a long minute and when she finally speaks, her words are filled with encouragement. “Sweetheart, I’m not going to tell you how you should or shouldn’t feel. If it’s love you feel, I’m not going to demean that or tell you differently. You only get one life, Anais. If it’s Evan you want, you fight for him with all you have.”
And just like that I’m reminded where I get my… grit from.
A smile curves my lips. My mother is right, but there is still one problem. My brother. Dropping my gaze, I chew my lip wondering if it’s possible to overcome that small hurdle.There are a lot of things standing in the way of my happiness, but my brother is one of the largest obstacles.
“Harrison visited me yesterday,” I start. “He knows how I feel about Evan, but he wasn’t exactly supportive,” I admit, glancing up at her. “He told me to stay away.” Her brows raise. “Said I deserve someone who’ll worship the ground I walk on, and that man isn’t Evan.”
Mom smiles, taking my hands in hers and squeezing them gently. “Don’t worry about your brother, honey. He’ll come around. Follow your heart, Anais. Don’t stop until it’s yours.”
Stepping out of my father’s SUV, I smooth down the material of the green maxi dress I settled on after several wardrobe changes. It’s backless with a plunging neckline and might be considered too much for a family lunch, but I feel good in it. There’s also a large part of me that wore it hoping it would get Evan’s attention. But then, that’s nothing new. Getting Evan to notice me has been my whole personality for the last couple years.
“You could’ve at least tried to cover up,” my brother mutters as he rounds the vehicle, his voice laced with annoyance as he glares at my dress like it’s a giant pile of shit.
I blink, offended by his comment, but it soon passes. Nothing or no one will ruin today’s festivities.
Tilting my head, I smile sweetly, “Now why would I do that? It’s a warm day, Harrison. Would you prefer I wear a wool sweater?” I jerk my chin toward his shorts and short sleeve dress shirt. “Your legs and arms are on display, and yet,I’m not calling you out for it. Didn’t take you for a misogynist, dear brother.”
Slipping a hand in his shorts pocket, he glares at me but stays quiet. I smirk, triumphant. I win. My parents exit the car next, my father with his phone pressed to his ear. He barks orders at someone as we head up the steps to the Maxwells’ front door. We don’t get a chance to ring the bell, their security would’ve informed them of our arrival. Rosa, their housekeeper, pulls the door open.
“Mr. and Mrs. Lauder,” she greets warmly, a big welcoming smile on her face. She looks between me and my brother. “Ms. Lauder. Master Lauder. How lovely to see you.”
“You’ve known us for years, Rosa. You can call us by our names, Charles and Evelyn,” my mother says softly, a smile on her face.
Rosa scowls, offended. “And you know me well enough to know I’d never do that.” Mom laughs, shaking her head. Rosa sweeps her arm, motioning for us to enter. “Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell are in the backyard along with the children.” I swallow down my laugh. Evan, Aria and Thalia haven’t been children in a long time. “And Mr. Rhodes,” she adds, remembering Thalia’s boyfriend.
