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“Believe it or not, I don’t much care what she thinks,” I told her honestly. “I’ve made it perfectly clear to her that I am not interested in any of the women she sends my way and that I’ll get married when I’m ready, not when she deems me to be ready. She’s trying to marry me off as if Dad is going to die tomorrow.”
“I think she just wants you to be happy.”
“I am happy.”
“You’re sleeping with someone you’ve known for less than a week.”
“Incorrect. I have not slept with her.”
“Yet.” She looked at me pointedly. “Don’t think I don’t know that you’re waiting for me to leave so you can go over there.”
I threw out my hands. “So what if I am? We’re both single, consenting adults. You don’t need to fucking judge me.”
“I’m not judging you.”
“Then stop talking, because your word choice doesn’t convey that at all.”
She sighed. “You like her. Whether you want to admit it or not, you clearly have somewhat of a soft spot for her. I’ve never known you give anyone this much time unless you were interested in something more. Grandma told me you went for cake today. You’ve had dinner with her. You go out of your way to help her.”
“I’m trying to make her bad situation a bit easier.”
“Grandma thinks you fancy the pants off her.”
“I do. You’ve met her.”
She tilted her head to the side. “She is very pretty. She seems nice, too.”
“She is.”
“Why not just admit you like her?”
“Because attraction is one thing. I do not intend to cross the emotional line with her, and if I do, I will keep that to myself.”
I was keeping it to myself right now.
Helena raised her eyebrows. “You’re an idiot. I can see it in the way you look at her.”
“Then perhaps you need to book an eye test,” I said dryly, standing up. “Are we done?”
Helena stood up, giving me the withering kind of a look that only an exasperated sister could give someone. “I think this will end in tears, Hugo.”
“I didn’t ask you what you think.”
“I’m going to tell you anyway, and it’s because I care about you.” She took my hand and wrapped it in both of hers. “You know, in the end, you will give in and do what Mum wants because it’s the easier option. No matter what you do, just be careful.”
She was wrong. I wouldn’t do what my mother wanted when it came to be married. Just because she and Dad grew to love each other after being set up didn’t mean the same thing would happen to me.
I would not spend the rest of my life married to someone I didn’t love because that’s what she thought was best for me.
Not that Helena was going to listen to that right now.
“I will,” I finally agreed.
She kissed my cheek and walked to the door, where she stopped and looked back. “Oh, by the way,” she said. “I’m having lunch with Sophie tomorrow.”
I blinked at her. “Why are you doing that?”
“She seems nice, and Ellie is with Myra. Why not?”
