Page 31 of The Bro-code

“A successful business, you say?” Rupert Mumford sounds slightly disgusted. “As an influencer?”

He says “influencer” as if my name was Vivian and Topher had picked me up on Hollywood Boulevard in his Lotus or something.

“That’s only the beginning, Dad.” Topher says, in my defense. “Bay is studying pharmaceutical science and business. She wants to have her own cosmetics company one day. Do everything from the creation of the products to their marketing. She’s going to have a Fortune 500 company before she’s thirty, I’m sure of it.”

I smile at the pride in my boyfriend’s voice.

Topher doesn’t make a mystery of the fact that my drive and ambition are part of what made him fall for me. It’s completely mutual, I love how he sees himself running and expanding his family’s legal firm.

“What her net worth is going to be in a decade hardly matters, son. When you told your mother that you were going to bring this young lady home for Christmas, I had a background check done on her.”

Topher doesn’t sound surprised. “Yeah, I thought you would. Don’t tell me Bay has a criminal record, because it’s ridiculous. I don’t think that girl has ever gotten so much as a speeding ticket.”

Just in case anyone was wondering, I don’t. My record is pristine. I work hard but I’m not a rule breaker. I would never cut corners to get ahead.

“That isn’t the issue, Topher.” His father doesn’t sound pleased. “But your mother and I can’t possibly give you our blessing, nor your Grand-mamà’s engagement ring, if you intend to tie yourself to this young woman.”

What? Why?

Topher asks exactly the same question. “What? Why? Dad, Bay is?—”

“Bay Woods isn’t good enough for our family, son.” Rupert Mumford says.

Topher’s tone remains calm, but I can hear the distress in his voice. “I don’t understand.”

His father clears his throat. “I’m not going to argue that your girlfriend is beautiful or that she’s witty and very charming. I’m sure you’re right in your assessment that one day, she’s going to be wildly successful. But our ancestors came to this country on the Mayflower, Toph. We marry into families with our same standing in society. Your mother and I wouldn’t have been thrilled if Bay’s family had made their fortune in the last century or in a branch like entertainment or one of those ridiculous startups. But Bay’s parents are just two teachers.”

Topher’s voice goes up a notch. “Yeah, I’m aware of that. Mr. Woods teaches high school chemistry and Mrs. Woods teaches kindergarten. What’s wrong with that?”

His father lets out a sardonic laugh. “Nothing if Bay was just your ‘college girlfriend.’ But marrying her, son? Men like us have affairs with women like Bay Woods, we certainly don’t marry them.”

I’m relieved when I hear the same hurt I’m feeling in my boyfriend’s voice. His shoulders are tense and his fists clenched—at least judging by the sliver of the room I can see from my observation point.

“And what kind of women should we marry, Dad? Please, enlighten me.”

Another laugh from his father. “Women who have our same social standing and the right pedigree. Someone who could add prestige and influence to our family. And with influence, I mean political influence. Not a million likes on social media. Get this Bay out of your system and straighten your act before graduation.”

I blink in rapid succession to keep the tears that well in my eyes from falling.

I can’t believe I was naive enough to believe that Topher’s parents would accept me.

“And the way I feel doesn’t count?” Topher reacts. “I’m in love with Bay, Dad.”

Yes. Tell him, babe.

I’m proud of Topher for not letting his parents dictate his love life.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Toph.” His father snaps.

“I’m serious. I’m in love with Bay.”

Rupert Mumford takes a step forward, coming into my limited field of vision. “You know nothing about love, son. Romantic love fades with time, no matter what. Or do you think you’re going to feel the same way about Bay in twenty years? No matter how much women take care of themselves, no plastic surgeon can give you back the body you had at twenty. This is why you have affairs with women a few decades younger than you. Women like your Bay. Beauty fades, love is fickle. But a solid family name, the right connections, those are the things that matter and that will provide a solid foundation for a successful life.”

Wow.

I’m speechless and so is Topher.

There’s a beat of silence, before my boyfriend shrugs his dad’s hand off his shoulder. “So what you’re telling me is that you didn’t love Mom?”

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