Patronizing much?
Okay, time to move on.“I wanted to invite Rhett for dinner tonight so Dad and you could meet him?—”
“Let’s not get carried away.” She arches her eyebrows. “You haven’t been in Summerville that long, which means you’ve only been seeing this guy for a few months. Give it a few more months, maybe you’ll change your mind about him. There’s no point in putting the cart before the horse.” Her lips curve. “How apropos since this guy is a ranch hand.”
Both disappointment and utter shock crash through me like the ice-cold water from a fireman’s hose.
“Mom.” I lower my chin, giving her a challenging glare. “I know what I want.”
“A few months is hardly enough for you to make that judgment call, Carina. Lust fades faster than snow under a blazing sun.”
I draw my head back at her unexpected comment.
“You keep treating me like I’m a child.”
“I don’t.”
“You do.” My voice rises. “So does Daddy. Ditto for my brothers.” I let out a loud huff. “Everyone in the family does.”
“We care about you. We love you.”
I shake my head in disbelief.
“You were campaigning hard for Stefano based solely on the fact you knew his family––”
“You went along with it… all the way to the altar––”
“Because I didn’t know better––”
“And you do now?”
“You can’t compare Rhett to Stefano. My ex-fiancé is a scumbag. Rhett is a good man––”
“In our defense, Dad and I had no idea Stefano would betray you the way he did––”
“The point is, this time around,Iget to make the decision.Iget to choosemyguy.”
Mom studies me.
An awkward silence fills the space between us as the seconds tick away.
She lifts a critical eyebrow, as the corners of her lips curl up. “In that case, choose wisely. From the sound of it, Rhett Sullivan doesn’t measure up. I don’t think he’s good enough for you and I’m sure your father would agree.”
The breath whooshes out of my lungs as her words nearly knock me off my chair.
Chapter 25
Rhett
“What a day,” I say, walking into the hotel suite.
I drop all the bags filled with clothing I’m holding and walk up to my girl. Carina is sitting curled up on the couch in a plush hotel white robe, nursing a glass of white wine.
“Hey,” she says.
“Hey.” I lean forward and drop a kiss on the top of her head. “You took a shower or a bath without me?”
She looks up at me. “I haven’t yet.”
