She speared a piece of lettuce onto her fork. “Well, as you know, I’ve been consulting at his university. When he heard you went missing, he was devastated. Worried about you.”
I hardly believed that. “And?”
She ate a bite daintily, careful not to smudge her perfect mauve lipstick. “I think he misses you, Cerise. Perhaps it would be good for you to talk to him. Try to work things out.”
“What? No. Absolutely not.”
“Because you’re still pining over that rogue, Doctor Pendragon?”
“No.Because Ambrose was emotionally abusive, mother.”
It was the first time I’d said those words out loud since Liam pointed it out to me. But I had thought a lot about what he said. It was, without a doubt, true. And as evidenced by the fact that Ambrose punched a wall, I had left not a moment too soon.
She scoffed. “Emotionally abusive. For goodness’ sake. He’s particular about his things, just like you. It’s the perfect fit.”
“But I don’t make people feel poorly about themselves when they don’t live up to my peculiarities.”
“You are so sensitive, Cerise. I swear I didn’t raise you to be this way. You can’t even handle criticism without interpreting it as an attack or abuse.”
The hand holding my fork trembled as I tried to remain calm.
“Ambrose has been asking about you. So I promised him you’d talk to him.”
“Youwhat?” I whispered, but not quietly enough. Several people seated nearby turned their heads with curiosity.
“At the gala. He’ll be there, of course. If you insist on gallivanting around with a man, then it must be someone like him. Intelligent, sophisticated, handsome.”
I was frozen in shock, my stomach churning. “I’m not having a conversation with him about us at the gala. I’m not having a conversation with him at all. There’s nothing to talk about,” I gritted out.
“Well, I guess dinner will be awkward, then. Since I arranged the seating chart to ensure you sat next to each other.”
I was speechless. My mother had gone too far.
This was bad. This was absolutely, utterly, positively, terrible.
And Liam was going to be there.
Chapter 29
Abysmal Drinks & A Breathtaking Woman
Liam
Iadjusted the lapels of my midnight black perfectly tailored three-piece suit, tucking the deep-green cravat beneath the matching colored vest. I finger combed my hair, trying to tame it, but it didn’t listen as per usual.
A knock at the door. “Liam, are you ready?” Coen called from the hallway of the inn where we were staying.
I put on my glasses, strode toward the door, and opened it. “I’m ready.”
“On time for once, I see,” he said, dressed in a charcoal suit and a maroon cravat that brought out the olive tones of his complexion.
I threw an arm around his shoulders as we made our way down the hall, bronze sconces lighting the way. “Right? What’s gotten into me?”
“A certain brunette.”
I laughed. Indeed. And I was going to see her tonight. I could hardly contain my excitement…and my nerves.
We exited into the night, the ebony carriage waiting to take us to the venue. This year’s gala was being held inside the stunning ballroom of the Elderwood Estate. We had about a ten minute ride to get there.
