Page 59 of Dreaming of You

"Mom," Barrett said, a warning note in his voice. "Don't make me sorry I came."

"To your mother's birthday? How could you possibly be sorry? I'm just a little on edge, because, well, there's no easy way to say this, but Vanessa and her parents are coming."

"What? Are you serious?" he asked. "Why on earth would you invite Vanessa?"

Kate drew in a breath as the tension between mother and son literally crackled the air. Barrett was furious, and Pamela was defiant.

"We are family friends," Pamela said. "I didn't think you would be bringing anyone. You should have told me."

"Maybe I should go," she murmured softly.

Barrett grabbed her hand and squeezed her fingers, shooting her a look that begged her not to make good on that suggestion. As much as she wanted to turn and flee, she did owe him for the kindness he'd shown her grandfather.

"You're not going anywhere without me," he said firmly. "If my mother wants you to leave, then I'll go with you."

"Don't be ridiculous. No one has to leave," Pamela said quickly. "I was just giving you a heads-up. There are lots of people here; I doubt you'll even have to speak to Vanessa. I just thought…well, it doesn’t matter now what I thought." She paused. "I need to check with the caterer. I'll speak to you later."

"Barrett, I should go," she said, as his mother left. "She doesn't want me here."

Before Barrett could respond, his name rang out.

She turned to see another man approaching, one with brown hair, green eyes, and features very similar to both Barrett and his mother.

"Hello, big brother," the man said, with a charming grin. "You made it."

"Barely. Thinking about leaving."

"Why? You just got here. And you haven't introduced me to your date."

"This is Kate Marlow, the wedding planner from my office building—my brother Matt."

She couldn't help noting the fact that Barrett had felt it necessary to qualify her presence, as if he didn't want Matt to get the idea that she was someone he was interested in.

"Nice to meet you, Kate," Matt said, with none of the cool bitterness his mother had expressed.

"You, too." She was relieved to find not everyone in Barrett's family was going to hate her on sight.

"I'm glad you came. I'm sure Mom is thrilled you brought someone," Matt added.

"I wouldn't call her reaction thrilled," Barrett said tightly. "She apparently invited Vanessa and her parents, and now she's realizing it might be awkward."

"Because I'm here," Kate put in.

"Ah," Matt said with understanding. "Well, it doesn't have to be awkward. It's a big party. You don't have to talk to Vanessa. And it's not like you broke up yesterday. It's been years."

"I know. I don't care that Vanessa might be here; I care that Mom treated Kate poorly because of it."

"I'm sure she was just taken aback," Kate told him, realizing he still had hold of her hand. "Don't worry about it. I'm fine. I don't offend that easily. You should hear how some mothers of the bride talk to me."

"You're being too generous," he told her.

She smiled at him. "I have champagne. It's all good. Family is family. I don't judge."

"That's good," Matt put in. "Because our family is a little crazy."

"I'm no stranger to family crazy," she said lightly.

"Where's the beautiful Amy?" Barrett asked his brother. "Has she dumped you already?"

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