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It’s Mom. She just walked through the door and is smiling at us.
Dad smiles wider and his businesslike composure softens at the sight of her. He always looks at my mother as if they’re still the high school sweethearts they were decades ago.
Mom looks beautiful, with her hair neatly styled in an elegant chignon, and a soft pink couture dress showing off her toned body.
I smile back at her, too, but it falters along with everything inside me when Cole and Charlotte walk through the door behind Mom.
I guess it’s showtime. I knew I was going to see them today. Sooner might be better than later.
Dad leaves my side to greet Mom with a hug and a quick kiss. “Marie Jakobe, you look absolutely gorgeous, as always.”
“Thank you, my love.” Mom looks at me next and moves closer to hug me. “Did you get here okay, dear?”
“I did, thanks.”
Cole and Charlotte reach us, holding hands, looking like the Disney couple again.
Dad gives Cole a hard stare that wipes the smile off his face.
“Cole, I believe you have something to say to Autumn,” Dad says, surprising me. I didn’t think he was going to make Cole apologize to me here, or now.
“Of course.” Cole dips his head, then looks at me. “Autumn, I sincerely apologize for what I said in the interview. It was distasteful and wrong of me.”
That apology sounds well-rehearsed and spoken like a man who knows exactly what to say in front of the boss.
Charlotte casts a casual glance my way but says nothing while everyone waits for me to acknowledge Cole’s backhanded apology.
I think of the perfect thing to tell him.
“I’m sure you couldn’t help yourself.” I give him a razor-sharp stare, my words surprising him. It’s clear he never factored in that I’d say something like that to defend myself.
“Nevertheless, I apologize sincerely.” He nods.
His apology is as sincere as a shark licking the bones of its latest prey clean. Cole can take his sincerity and shove it up his ass.
I continue to stare at him for a moment too long. It becomes so awkward he looks away and raises his brows at Dad.
The expectation must have been for me to tell him it’s okay and I’m fine, but I’m not, so I’ll say no such thing.
I switch my gaze to Charlotte, who straightens and smiles. The smile she gives me isn’t a welcoming sisterly one. It’s an I-won-you-lost smile.
“Congratulations on your engagement,” I say, switching the subject entirely. I glance quickly at Mom, who gives me a kind smile. I promised her I’d be a good sport, so this is me doing that.
“Thank you,” Charlotte replies in that beauty pageant voice I can’t stand. She even touches a hand to her heart as if she’s about to give a speech. “I appreciate that. Now for the wedding of the century.”
Yes, Charlotte. Yours will be the wedding of the century.
“Indeed,” I humor her. The slight flicker in her smile tells me she knows I am.
“Wonderful. It’s good to see my two girls getting along.” Mom puts her arms around both of us and guides us to stand at her sides. “This year is going to be the best.”
“It will.” Dad sets his shoulders back and lifts his head as if he’s about to deliver his land-conqueror speech. “We’ll make it the best year yet by working together.” He looks at each of us in turn but focuses on me for just a little longer, his previous words resonating in my soul.
Do as I’m told.
If I could run away and still have all the things I want in this life, I would.
But I can’t.
