“And, of course, I’ll indulge them.”
“I’m just saying, you didn’t need to bring me along to fulfill your agenda. I mean, maybe it’s easier when you make me your doll, but…”
Mom sighs. “Just what are you getting at?”
“You’re back in town, and need to be seen everywhere. It now makes sense why you want to take over the flower arrangements and seating charts.”
“There’s nothing wrong with being seen, Vanessa. You should know that.”
“It feels like you’re purposefully making me stay away from the manor.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Well, you come home, and make instant plans, which include me.”
“Maybe it feels that way because it’s been so long since we were together in Victoria Falls,” Mom says, pinching the material of my dress. “But it’s always been like this. Maybe you got accustomed to running the show on your own. If that’s the case, I couldn’t be prouder.”
I grit my teeth before asking, “But what about Dax?”
She continues to fidget with my dress. “That’s the boyfriend’s name, correct?”
“Yes. I just don’t get it. You know about him, and haven’t kicked him out of the pool house. And if you’re not planning on telling Dad about him…” I pause, flicking my thumb against my bracelet. “Then why aren’t you letting me spend time with him?”
Mom sighs. “Is it really such a strain on you to spend quality time with your mother?”
I bite my tongue. There’s always another angle.
“You know, I could ask Roger to collect him,” Mom suggests. “It could be quite cute, having a coffee date with my daughter and her rugged boyfriend.”
My nose scrunches as I recoil. “I don’t think so.”
“We could take a trip into the city,” Mom says, pulling out the skirt of my dress. “I’m sure Dad would like to meet him. Does he know you plan on taking Dax as your gala date?”
My mind flashes to the moment Dad laid eyes on Dax, telling him to stay away from me. I don’t want Mom to know Dad already can’t stand the sight of my boyfriend.
I smooth my hands down the bodice of my dress. “There won’t really be time if we want to get this fitting done today.”
Mom grins at me. “That’s what I thought.”
I blow out a shaky breath. “Have you seen Dad yet?”
“His suite is so far away from mine. There was hardly time when he dragged himself in at some ungodly hour. I may as well still be on a video screen, waiting until midnight to connect with him.”
“I wouldn’t have minded missing this fitting. Then you could’ve met with him in the city.”
“No, this fitting is a priority because there’s a deadline for the gala.”
“Yeah, but you’re home, and Dad…”
“Would you stop fretting about your father? What’s gotten into you? I thought your brother was the only one I had to worry about.”
“What does that mean? What are you doing about Ash?”
Mom steps back to view me in the dress, smoothing an errant hair off her brow. “Nothing. Honestly, Vanessa, you need to stop stressing over every little detail. Mommy’s here to do that for you.”
She makes me try on four more dresses, only proving my point she’s purposefully dragging out this experience. The dusty pink is still my favorite, but Mom can’t stop raving about a similar cut in forest green.
I let her discuss the final decision with Ramona, because adding my opinion is exhausting.
