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“Our mother hates most people, so I wouldn’t take it to heart,” Ben says, and all three boys smirk like it is an inside joke.
“Well, her and Lillian seem to get along?” I mention as I see the two of them crowding around Harrison across the room.
“She wants Harrison and Lilly to marry, but that is never going to happen,” Tennyson says as the other two half-laugh, half-snort in agreement, and my stomach drops to the floor. Combating Lilly was one thing, but his mother is an entirely different issue.
“She seems lovely,” I offer, taking a sip of water. She certainly looks the part. Jealousy coils in my stomach as I watch her swan around Harrison. She would be a very elegant first lady of Maryland and that thought stabs me in the chest as her hand curls around Harrison’s arm again. The move seems natural to her, yet I see Harrison step sideways, away from her a little. Creating distance. A move he doesn’t do with me.
“She is like a sister. Our little bratty sister. Harrison feels nothing but brotherly love toward her,” Ben says by way of explanation, and I remain quiet.
“But by the looks of things, he has his eye on someone else,” Tennyson says, and I turn to see who Harrison is looking at and find him looking directly at me. My heart stills, the heat in his gaze I am sure is evident to everyone in the room. I feel like I need a sip of wine after all.
“Oh no. Looks like the boss man is looking for you,” Ben quips with a sly smirk as he sips his glass of whiskey. If only he knew…
“Okay, off to work I go,” I say with a well-practiced, plastered smile, ignoring their looks of intrigue. I subtly brush my sweaty palms on my dress and clench and re-clench my clutch.
“Great to meet you both,” I offer as I walk over to where Harrison is standing with another man, my knees already feeling like Jell-O.
“Beth,” Harrison says with relief and a small smile. “This is Ronald Harper, a long-time friend of my father’s and a great supporter of my campaign.” Harrison makes the introduction while his hand settles on the small of my back. The move is startling because it is something the whole room can see if they are watching. My eyes flick to his immediately, and he gives me a wink. I don’t know why that makes me feel so good, but it does, and work or no work, I don’t want him to move it.
“Great to meet you, Mr. Harper,” I say, extending my hand to shake, as Lillian’s father looks at me with a pinched expression. I can already feel his coldness toward me like I am about to touch ice.
“Harrison, I was expecting Lilly to be on your arm tonight?” he questions, ignoring me and my outstretched hand completely.
I drop my hand and move a little in my high heels, feeling slightly uncomfortable as Harrison’s hand curls around me even more, his hand now gripping onto my hip, keeping me close, his body almost like a protective shield. My heart rate increases and I’m not sure if it is nerves at being so obscene to these people they don’t even want to greet me, or the fact that Harrison is being so overt with his actions. Mr. Harper’s eyes flick down to Harrison’s hand, taking in the movement, and I see his shoulders stiffen. He is not happy.
“This is Beth, my project manager.” Harrison finishes the introductions, ignoring the previous comment, and I wonder how anyone in this room gets anything done with the amount of ignoring that happens. If I spoke to everyone here tonight, I bet I would find so many elephants in this room, it would be suffocating.
I feel Harrison’s hand continue to caress my lower back and warm tingles ignite my body. I know he is trying to ensure I am okay, so I straighten my spine. I have dealt with worse men in my life, so I can hold my own, but I need to be professional. This is a work event, regardless of the fact that my temporary boss currently has his hand firmly placed on my lower back and makes me feel like I am a princess at his ball.
Before either of us can talk further, the emcee comes onto the microphone and asks us all to take a seat.
“Remember, you’re sitting with Eddie and me at our family table.” Harrison words coast across my ear as he leans down to whisper. Mr. Harper has already walked away, and I take a deep breath, hoping I don’t do something stupid like trip over my dress. We make our way to the table, where we are both meant to be sitting, but there is only one spare seat.
“Harrison, you are over here, next to me,” Lilly says, sitting up straight in her chair, smiling like a Cheshire Cat. I look up at Harrison to see him fuming and eyeing his mother, who remains quiet.
“I can move,” Eddie offers, going to stand as he and Oscar both look between me and Harrison. This is Harrison's family table, but he added Oscar and I on as his key staff. Clearly, I was moved at the last moment, yet no one bothered to tell me of the switch.
“No!” I say quickly, putting up both my hands to stop him from moving, my wide smile as fake as my lashes tonight. “I am sure I can find my seat elsewhere. It is no trouble.”
Growing up, I was often teased at school because I never had a mom come to the special Mother’s Day events. The one thing my father always said was to kill the bullies with kindness. So, I make the decision to slaughter Mrs. Rothschild and Lilly with my smile.
“Beth,” Harrison murmurs, his hand still not leaving my back, where it has been for the last five minutes, the warmth the only comfort I have from the cold eyes staring at me from the table.
“Harrison, sit please, I will find a spot,” I say, stepping away from him, pulling on all my inner strength, yet feeling like I am back at school and the popular crowd doesn’t want me to sit with them at the lunch table.
“Mother, I…” Harrison starts to say, about to walk toward her, and I grab his hand, stopping him mid-stride. He looks at me, and I shake my head, feeling his grip on mine get tighter. He is not happy, and I give him a small smile, trying to reassure him I am fine, when really, I feel anything but. Glancing around the room, I notice that most people have taken their seat and all eyes are on us.
“Let me get you another seat,” Harrison says, looking up and around the room.
“It’s fine, I promise. I spot Arthur over by the bar. Let me chat with him.” I pull away from him quickly to avoid any scene being caused.
Nodding to everyone, I flash my bright smile even wider, stepping away quickly and quietly as the emcee starts to officially welcome everyone. As if my fairy godmother appears, I spot Arthur standing by the bar, watching the interaction, and breathe out a sigh of relief. I go to him without a second thought.
“That family are assholes, Bethy,” he mutters so only I can hear, before handing me a glass of cold water.
I take it and throw back half of it immediately.
“Thanks, I needed that,” I whisper.
