Page 71 of Beyond Expectations

It was that last comment that felt like a smack in the face. Rhett tightened his hold of my hand and quickly led us inside. Before entering the main ballroom, he looked down at me and kissed my lips tenderly.

“Ignore them. Let’s enjoy ourselves. I can’t wait to show you off.”

I gave him a hesitant smile, rolled my shoulders back, and followed him.

Everyone who was anyone was there. It was the crème de la crème of high society. A mix of politicians, celebrities, socialites, and all the predominant forces of the medical, business, and legal worlds gathered there. It was a gossip columnist’s dream.

After meeting various business associates of his and even one of my favorite recording artists, we finally had a few moments alone. Rhett handed me a glass of champagne and then laughed as I drank almost the whole glass in one gulp.

His smile made me relax. As I began to feel the knot in my stomach unwind, I followed his line of sight and saw his father walking towards us with a beautiful woman on his arm.

Rhett’s mother.

Finishing off my drink, I handed the passing waiter my empty glass. Leaning down, he welcomed his mother with a kiss on the cheek and shook his father’s hand.

“Mother, I want you to meet my girlfriend, Serena Parker. Serena, this is my mother, Alice.”

I watched as she quickly scanned me from head to toe and hesitated before offering me her hand.

Shaking her hand, I gave her my sincerest smile.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Chambers.”

“And you, dear.”

Her smile didn’t touch her eyes. I wasn’t sure if it was just my nerves or if I was reading too much into it.

“And, of course, you have met my father before.”

Rhett gestured to his father, who stood beside his mother.

“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Mr. Chambers,” I replied, doing my best to suppress my nerves.

“Please, call me Max.”

His welcome was the complete opposite of his wife’s as a warm smile spread across his face.

“I’ve been looking forward to seeing you again after Rhett told me that you two were now an item.”

My face must have shown a frisson of apprehension as he quickly responded.

“I also want you to know I hope this doesn’t change anything regarding you working with us. You and your firm are doing an amazing job for us, and Rhett speaks so highly of you. I’m glad he has finally found someone as successful and hardworking as you.”

There was no way I could hide my feeling of embarrassment.

I looked over at Rhett, and he gave me a warm smile and wrapped his arm around my lower back. I saw his mother watching us intently, a look of disapproval in her eyes. Now I knew I wasn’t imagining it. What was her problem with me? I’d only just met her. Was it that she disapproved of me? Or that I wasn’t Verity?

Rhett held my hand tightly as we walked by his parents’ side, finding our seats.

***

Dinner had been excellent. The food was literally to die for. I genuinely thought my dress would burst at the seams with how much I ate.

Rhett had been excellent all night. Forever attentive, asking if I needed anything more to drink, engaging me in the conversation, and telling me how beautiful I looked. Occasionally, he’d squeeze my hand under the table, a reassuring reminder of his touch.

I’d been trying my utmost to converse with everyone at the table. His father and Mr. Carter Rutledge, who I learned is his father’s lawyer, best friend, and Rhett’s godfather, were both very endearing and asked me about my time at Columbia.

“Your family must be very proud of you. Not only did you finish top of your class but also go on to become a junior associate and now run your own firm. That indeed is an amazing accomplishment.”

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