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“Do I want a husband and kids? Well…yeah. Eventually. But I want it to happen naturally, you know? All this pressure…”
“Makes it hard to know how you really feel?”
She nods. “I just wish they’d be happy because I’m happy. Regardless of whether there’s a man involved.”
“I totally understand,” I say, as I glance at her again. My protective instincts flare brightly inside my chest, and somehow, I know that no matter how this day goes, I’ll do whatever it takes to help her. I happen to know a little about the weight of someone else’s expectations and the damage an interfering parent can do...
DELANEY
“Are you ready?” I whisper, blowing out a calming breath as I lift my hand to knock on my aunt’s door. I don’t know why my mother always calls this Aunty Joan’shousewhen it’s an actualestatewith electric gates, an expansive circular driveway, and a butler to boot. While my aunt never got to have the family she wanted to fill the many rooms of her home, she certainly has an abundance of everything else this world has to offer.
“As I’ll ever be.” Nate takes a deep breath himself, his presence calming as he stands beside me with the pie balanced in one hand and our bags in the other. “You’ll be fine,” he assures me, flashing me one of his charming smiles as we hear footsteps from inside. “We’ve got this.”
“Thanks,” I say, just as the door opens and Aunty Joan’s butler, John, ushers us in.
“Welcome, Miss. Gilchrist,” he says, as we’re relieved of the pie, our coats, and bags by the two maids standing by. “Sir.” He gives Nate a polite nod.
“Thank you, John. Is everyone in the sitting room?” I ask, just as my mother comes rushing from that direction like she’s being chased.
“You’re here!” Mom says, her hands lifting as she makes her way forward and embraces me. “I thought I heard the door. How was the drive?”
“Long, but beautiful as always,” I say, noting how high pitched my voice sounds as she looks from me to Nate.
“And this must be Liam.” Her eyes shine bright as she clasps her hands in front of her. “It’s just…” She pauses and shakes her head. I stop breathing. “It’s so wonderful to finally meet you!” Nate doesn’t even get a chance to respond before she’s hugging him like the prodigal son returned then cupping his face in her hands like she can’t trust her eyes. “He’s so handsome!” She swings her gaze to me.
“And he has ears to hear you, a mouth to respond and everything,” I say, trying not to laugh as Mom quickly releases Nate and titters—she genuinelytitters.
“I’m so sorry, Liam. I’m just…wow.” She smiles as her eyes drink Nate in the same way I’m sure mine did when I met him. “You’re not what we were expecting at all.”
“What were you expecting?” Nate asks, smiling politely as he slides a hand around my waist and draws me to his side protectively.
Mom looks from him to me and back again, a look I can only describe as awe etched into her features. “You just look so handsome together.” She sighs. “And I’m so glad you came. Everyone is dying to meet you. Come.” She gestures for us to follow her as she turns for the sitting room. I don’t miss the fact that she used the word ‘handsome’ over ‘beautiful’ to describe us, and I can’t help but feel a little deflated by that.Does she really think I’m that unattractive?
“Where’s that beautiful smile gone?” Nate whispers close to my ear as we follow behind. I’m keenly aware of the heat of his hand at the small of my back and the closeness of his body next to mine. It creates stirrings in me I didn’t even know existed. But then all of it—my mother’s shocked reaction to his good looks, and the fact she’s right tobeshocked—has only further highlighted how unrealistic this coupling really is. Nate is only here because I’m paying him. He’s not here because he thinks I’m the sun and the moon. He’s not here because I’m the first and last thing he thinks of each day. No. He’s here for the money. And I’ve never felt that truth as much as I do in this moment.
“Maybe…maybe we should go?” I whisper, stopping before we reach the other side of the foyer.
“Go?” Nate stops with me, his blue eyes searching mine as I have a mini panic attack.
“Is everything all right?” Mom asks when she realizes we aren’t still walking with her.
“Everything’s fine,” Nate says quickly. “I think Delaney is just a little lightheaded after the drive. Can we get some water?”
“Oh, of course!” Mom says. “You haven’t gotten car sick since you were little, sweetheart. Did you eat this morning?”
“I had a piece of toast, but that’s all.”
“John. Can we get some water here?” With both Mom and Nate so close, I feel too closed in. The lie I’m telling is looking right at me and it makes me feel ugly both inside and out.
“I need to—” I clap my hand over my mouth and run for the bathroom, closing myself in before I suck in big gulps of air and splash some water on my face.I can’t do this.I thought I could, but I can’t.
As I pat my face dry with a hand towel, I stare at myself in the mirror, trying to think of a way out of this. Then the door opens and closes and Nate slips inside, crowding the small space with his size.
“Crisis of conscience?” he asks, moving in behind me.
I meet his eyes in the mirror and nod. “I’m not used to lying,” I whisper. “And this…you and me…it’s too unbelievable to be true.”
He takes a slow inhale before he places his hands on my shoulders and turns me to face him. “Do you know what I thought when I met you?” He lowers his head slightly to look me right in the eyes, and I shake my head. “I thought,wow.That’s it. One word. One syllable. Wow.”
