Page 57 of Without Regret

“Yes. That would be great. I’ll finish up everything tomorrow morning.” I planned to come in early to ensure FedEx picked up the boxes first thing.

I’d return to the hotel with time to change my clothes and put on my big girl knickers to deal with tonight.

***

As I finished getting ready for the evening in my hotel room, I realized I was nervous about meeting Trevor’s father. I might not show it, but down deep, I felt insecure and feared I wasn’t good enough when I was around families. I’d long ago worked on my unpolished upbringing, so I could put on a decent front when mingling with rich people. In my work, I was around a great deal of them. But the veneer only went so deep, particularly when it came to family dynamics and the emotions that went with them.

The thought of Mr. Newhall guessing I might be involved with his son sent my nerves into a frenzy. I forced myself to look at my reflection in the mirror and stare a long moment.

Someone threw you away as trash. You’ll always be trash. Not worthy of a relationship with a man like Trevor, who comes from a good family and has been raised with a normal childhood.

My demons didn’t always give me a head’s up about when they would make an appearance. But I shook my head at the voice from the past.

I was stronger than this. Didn’t my tattoo mean strength? Hadn’t I fought the odds to make something of myself after being tossed away as a child? I belonged at this party amongst millionaires and politicians just as I’d belonged at all the others. As for the emotions, I simply needed to put them back where they belonged and treat Mr. Newhall like any other rich guy. Not as the father of the man with whom I was currently involved and who was probably still pissed off at me.

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