AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I certainly wouldn’t fuck with him.
I mean, I can see why Katherine let him ruin her life, no question, but yikes. Big scary vibes.
“Well, at least I don’t have to worry that our kids will be ugly,” I say lightly.
Melanie’s eyes sparkle knowingly. “He looks much less handsome once you’ve met him,” she says with a little wink.
“And here I thought you liked them mean,” I tease.
Her eyes sparkle, and she looks over her shoulder at her husband. “He isn’t mean tome.”
Closing that book, she opens a second one and shows me pictures of her wedding to Richard at the church where James and Katherine got married. It’s a gorgeous cathedral to be sure, but it’s the kind of place I’m certain books several years out, and I don’t want Richard pulling strings to open a place up for us. I’d rather just have our wedding somewhere that’s available without using threats and intimidation.
Melanie is so excited about planning my wedding. I can see the location is out of my hands, and she’s set on the ceremony being at this church. It’s a tradition at this point, one she’d like to keep going.
“I very much appreciate your enthusiasm and your help, but I think my mom will probably also want to be involved with the planning.”
“Oh.” The light in her eyes dims a bit, not deliberately, she just seems to wear her heart right on her sleeve and can’t hide her true feelings. “Of course. Look at me, prattling on like you’remydaughter. Of course, you’ll want to make plans with your own mother.”
The study door opens, and I hear the maid announcing that dinner is ready and we should head to the dining room. Mygaze catches on Richard watching me, his eyes narrowed with displeasure.
My heart skips a beat.
What did I do?
I look at Melanie closing her photo albums and taking them back to the cabinet. I didn’t mean to hurt her feelings, but I think maybe I did.
I open my mouth searching for something to say, but I can’t come up with anything. All I said was that my mom would want to help plan the wedding.
I feel bad for dimming her excitement, though. I want to fix it even before I realize that’s probably why Richard was looking at me that way. He’s clearly very protective of his wife.
Melanie takes Richard’s arm, and he leans in to give her a kiss. She brightens a bit and leans her head on his arm, then they lead the way out of the study.
I fall in next to Silvan, and he slides a hand around my waist.
“I think I upset your mom,” I whisper.
He nods grimly. “Probably. She’s not great at sharing, either.”
I watch Richard’s back wordlessly as we leave the study.
I feel crazy even suggesting it, but the entire fabric of Silvan’s family seems to be stitched together by sheer insanity, so I give voice to my thoughts. “You don’t think your dad would… do anything to get my mom out of the way just so Melanie would be my only wedding planner, do you?”
Silvan’s head rocks from side to side as he considers. “I mean, it’s notnotsomething he would do. You weren’t mean,though. All you said was you want your mom involved.” He observes his parents for a couple of seconds. “She can be a little sensitive, though. Just make sure she doesn’t feel left out, and you should be okay.”
My stomach hollows out.
He’s betting an awful lot on a maybe.
As soon as we enter the dining room and take our seats, I tell Melanie I’d love to set up a lunch this week so she can meet my mom and clue her in on all the wedding plans. I make it very clear I’m totally onboard with Melanie’s choices, I just want my mom to be along for the ride so she can experience it with us.
That seems to be the right compromise. Melanie perks back up and starts telling me all her ideas about a beautiful snow-dusted ballroom with Christmas trees placed around the room and glittery, glowing lanterns suspended above the round tables surrounding the dance floor. I nod and smile and tell her how much I love all her ideas, and when I glance at Richard, he offers me a faint smile of approval laced lightly with amusement.
This family is very temperamental and a little high maintenance, but I think I’m beginning to learn the ropes around here.
I didn’t ask Silvan ahead of time what they were having for dinner, so I hold my breath when the plates are brought out.
“Grilled chicken with pesto and penne,” Ilona says as she puts my plate down in front of me.
