Page 45 of That Emerald Vow

Hi, gem. First and foremost, I want to respect your boundaries, but I’m also trying to read between the lines of what you may need, even without you saying it. So I may have taken a risk, and I’m a few minutes’ drive from your parents’ house just in case you need me. But if you don’t, I have plenty of crappy snacks and bad TV to keep me company. I just wanted you to have the option in case you needed it. <3 Please don’t be mad.

A warmth radiates from my chest at how thoughtful and perceptive he really is. Damon puts on a front of being silly, but his heart is like no other. The compassion for others’ needs is such a magical thing, so I decide to finally allow myself what I’ve been wanting to do since the beginning—be honest and let him in. Plus there will be no better test, no greater time I’ll need him than facing my parents.

Me:

Get your sexy butt over here now.

Less than fifteen minutes later, the doorbell chimes.

My mother is focused on the plating and doesn’t bother looking up to notice I’m already on my way to the door when she says, “It’s probably your uncle. Isn’t it sweet that he offered to come early to help?”

I feel like a bucket of ice water was thrown on me. In the excitement of Damon coming, I completely forgot the fear of facing my uncle again.

I slowly look around the backyard that’s completely ready for a party. She’s just moving things to get them “perfect.” Aka. moving things back to how I originally placed them but to show it was her idea.

“Mm-hmm,” I mutter, still unable to move.

Ding dong.

“Would you get that? I have to fix the place settings you messed up,” she huffs.

My legs drag like lead-filled balloons as I slowly make it to the door, praying it’s Damon and not my uncle.

Ding dong.

My mother is gonna be pissed that I forced my uncle to wait so long.

As I finally reach the door, I take a deep breath before opening it to my impending doom. But my mouth falls open as I take in the gorgeous man dressed in dark slacks and a nicely pressed, black button-down with the sleeves rolled up to just below his elbows.

“My lord, Charlotte, how hard is it to open a door?” I hear my mom come up behind me. Turning to look between me and the guy at the door, she puts on her best smile that she saves for guests. “Hello. Who are you?”

“Hi, ma’am. My name’s Damon. I’m Charlie’sfriend.”He respectfully extends his hand to shake hers.

She ushers him inside as she says, “I’m Vivian Thatcher, but you can call me Vivian. It’s nice of Charlotte to invite a special friend to celebrate our big day. I’m sorry she didn’t tell us you were coming.”

I try to say, “I’m sor—”

“She can be quite the forgetful one,” my mother interrupts.

She seems to miss it, enamored by Damon’s gorgeous smile, but I notice the tick in his jaw from her comment and clear disdain for me in her voice. “It was meant to be a surprise. Thank you for allowing me to crash,Vivy.” She grimaces at the nickname for only a fraction of a moment before returning to a rehearsed smile. Damon doesn’t miss a beat.“Your daughter is such an amazing woman. I had to see whatforgedsuch a strong and fierce person.” A snort bubbles up and escapes my lips. My mom flashes me a glare that anyone else would have missed. Buthaving Damon here helps me not shrivel from her gaze.

“You’re too kind,Day.” I enunciate his favorite nickname to say thank you for all he did in that short time without needing to spell it out. “My mother definitely had a lot to do with how I wasforged.”

Vivian Thatcher smiles at us, not realizing how sarcastic we’re being. “Charlotte has definitely gone very far with my guidance.”Yes, Mother, straight to becoming a serial killer to cope. Mother of the Year you are.

Damon smiles brightly at her. “Is there anything I can help with?”

“I think we’re basically done here. The bartender won’t be here for another hour.” She gestures to the bar area. “But Charlotte can fix you a drink.”

“How about I fix you both something instead? This place looks amazing.” He takes in the backyard. I must admit, it does look amazing. You would think this was a second wedding with how big my parents decided to go. There are string lights and floral accents throughout the backyard, stark white linens with lilac and light green accents everywhere. “You ladies deserve a break. Any preferences,Vivy?”

She looks like she ate something sour, but she’s refusing to correct him. “I don’t like anything too sweet,” she says.

“I’m not surprised. I know just what to make you then.” Damon winks at her which instantly makes her smile return. She is definitely getting whiplash from her feelings about him.

“Let me help you,” I say as we both make our way to the bar area in the back corner.

Once out of ear shot, Damon says, “Well she’s as bad as I imagined.”

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