“Because I’m waiting for your true agenda to come out.”
Mom sighs, averting her gaze. “I’m not playing these games with you. Besides, we have a big day ahead of us.”
“Us? You planned my day again?”
Mom glares at me, unimpressed. “Since when is that a surprise? I’ve always given you a schedule of upcoming events. Now, get dressed.”
“I already told you, I’ve made plans for this week. If you’d given me notice, I could’ve moved things around. I’ll look rude if I cancel at the last-minute.”
“You should know better than to argue with me, Vanessa.” She turns toward the door. “You’ve got one hour to meet me in the car.”
When she leaves the pool house, I stay glued to my seat.
Why did she need to come home now? This is the first time I’ve ever been interested in a guy, and she’s ruining it.
“Shouldn’t she be jetlagged or something?” Dax mutters.
“That would show weakness,” I say dryly. “That’s not a trait my mother allows anyone to see. Besides, we get a bed, a shower, and butler service during our flights. It’s not hard to feel refreshed afterwards.”
Dax smirks. “Of course.”
“I’m sorry she’s dragging me away again. Will you hang out here?”
“Are you kidding? Hanging by a billionaire’s pool all day sounds like heaven.”
I grin and kiss his cheek. “I’m glad you’re so relaxed. It’s all I’ve wanted for you.”
He wraps an arm around me. “Having you by my side would make today perfect, but I can wait. If you don’t play nice with your mom, I can’t stay here anymore.”
“Ugh. I hate that she has this leverage over us.”
“I still can’t believe she’s cool with me being here. She really doesn’t want her secret getting out.”
“And somehow she still wins.” I sigh and stand from the couch. “I better get back to the manor and glam up.”
He smiles. “Just remember, you don’t need all that stuff. You’re more beautiful when you’re natural.”
I blush like a fool and slink away, mumbling a giddy, “Thank you.”
I hold on to the good vibes while Claudia does my hair and I apply my makeup. But by the time I’m dressed, and in the car with Mom, they’ve completely faded. When she says she’s taking me to a dress fitting, my mild protest is firmly squashed.
“We have lots to do today,” Mom says, leading me into a boutique. “I want to finalize the floral arrangements and redo the seating charts. But first, you’ll have a dress fitting.”
“We already have ladies working on floral arrangements, and Mrs. Fisher is in charge of the seating chart.”
“They were doing a fine job, but now I can make it better.”
“Do you really think it’s a good idea to ruffle feathers the minute you get home?”
“Don’t be silly. They’ll be glad to finally have my help.”
Inside the boutique, racks of formalwear surround us.
“I don’t need to pick a dress,” I complain. “I’ll just wait for the designers to send me something. It’s what I’ve done for the past three events.”
“It’s different now. It’s been months since we’ve spent time together.”
“It’s not my fault you didn’t come home with me.”
