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“Not much longer,” I mutter in what I hope is a reassuring gesture. “Dinner, then drinks.”
She nods with a newfound determination. “That sounds like a good plan to me. We’re a team, let’s do this.”
Chapter 5
Zoe
Thisisamistake,I can’t help but think as I glance at Barbara across the dinner table, to see her refusing to meet my eyes again.I shouldn’t be here. I should just leave, right?
There have already been so many red flags, so many reasons why Remy and I shouldn’t be doing this, but his mother is the worst one. She’s terrifying, and very intrusive. I’m pretty sure she’s guessed what we’re up to here, that she thinks there’s a plan afoot because she’s questioning me and Remy a lot. If she doesn’t believe the relationship, then who will?
It’s starting to feel like no one, which is a real issue for us. If this doesn’t work, then what?
Remy:Not much longer. Wyatt needs to go to bed soon, don’t worry. x
The texts haven’t stopped, thank goodness. This private communication between me and Remy is just about the only thing keeping me sane. It’s like a little lifeline in this hell. IknowBarbara isn’t keen on me, she’s made that very clear, and I heard some of what she said about me in the kitchen, so I know… this reassurance from Remy is lovely.
Who is Remy, really? Is he the nice guy who’s supportive and sweet? Or is he the grumpy asshole I met in the coffee shop the other day? It’s amazing that we even managed to come to an agreement that day, I didn’t think we would for a while. I can’t put two and two together and come up with anything for this man. He’s an enigma.
“I have a question,” Barbara pipes up, before I can respond to Remy. “Why is there no ring?” We both stare at her in horror. “No engagement ring?”
God damn it. I might need to ask for even more money for this job. Jesus. Barbara is too much.
“The ring is being resized.” Luckily Remy is used to his mother. He snaps into action quickly. “So, we will have it next time we’re here.”
“Hmm, right. Strange.” Barbara pouts. “I don’t think that I would like to be engaged to a man who hadn’t bothered to buy me a ring. Seems unusual.”
“Mom, I just said that I bought Zoe a ring.” Remy rolls his eyes. I don’t know if he’s genuinely annoyed or if he’s just playing along with his mother’s game. “It’s just being resized.”
Zoe:I didn’t even think about a ring, did you?
Remy:Nope! I will sort things out though. x
Oh God, if there’s a ring involved it means I can’t escape. I’m stuck trying to convince Barbara that I’m not the devil in disguise, trying to steal everything that her son has worked for all his life. I don’t even know too much about Remy’s business or how wealthy he is. He was just a normal guy as far as I know, the last time I was here. It’s a little insulting that Barbara just makes terrible assumptions about me, but I guess she doesn’t know me at all.
Remy:Right, I’m going to tell Mom we’re going now. Get ready for it. She might start bombarding us with a bunch of awful and intrusive questions. x
Zoe:Start?!
Remy lets out a little chuckle which he has to disguise rapidly as a cough once his mom catches his eye. “Mom, Zoe and I are going to leave now. You know I have work early in the morning…”
“Youhaveto go?” she snaps, sounding angry about this. “Already? You don’t want to stick around for a little longer so Zoe and I can get to know one another better?”
My heart sinks. Why does she want to know me if she doesn’t like me? It’s such a relief when Remy shakes his head. “No, not tonight. There will be plenty of time for you to get to know one another. I really do need to get some sleep before work. You know how busy I am.”
“Hmm, I suppose I can learn more when I come to visit you at home, and when I help you plan the wedding.” Oh God, what isthatabout? “I will see you soon then.”
Before we leave, Remy takes Wyatt to bed. If Barbara wants to take a moment to get to know me, it could be now. But she doesn’t. She takes the plates in the kitchen pointedly, shooting me glares as she goes. I offer to help, but she shakes her head at me.
“No, I don’t need any help, thank you. I have done this alone for a long time.”
My heart weirdly starts to ache for her in that moment, because she must have been through a hard time as well. With the mother of Wyatt dying, the whole family has been thrown into disarray. No wonder she’s wary about me. She’s probably wary about anyone. Even though this is a ploy between me and Remy, I do want to prove myself to her. I want Barbara to see that I am worthwhile. I know this isn’t real, but I want to show my pure heart.
Eventually Remy descends the stairs and it’s time for us to go. Finally, I can blow out a breath of relief because we’re about to escape and hopefully go for a drink as well. I really do think that Remy needs to explain a lot to me. I would much rather have known what I was coming in to rather than it coming as a complete shock.
I know it must be hard for Remy to open up about such a tragedy in his past, but if he’s bringing me in to his world so I do need to know these things.
“Okay, let’s leave,” Remy whispers as he takes my hand. I love the sensation of his fingers laced through mine. It’s such a relief, such a warm and comforting sensation. Just what I need after the stressful night I’ve just had in his mother’s home. “Come on. Drink time.”
