Page 35 of Love Without Demands

“Yeah, sure,” he said easily. “Let’s go outside.” Linking his fingers with mine, he stopped at the security desk and grabbed his wheeled suitcase before leading me out the front door. He took off his jacket and hung it on my shoulders when I shivered from the cold.

“Well, that was a surprise,” I started as Dwight looked down and tapped on his phone.

“Good. Glad I could surprise you. Do you need a ride home?”

“I, uh, what?”

“I’m calling an Uber to take me to the airport. I was wondering if you wanted me to drop you off or if you’re staying a bit longer.”

“The airport?” I asked stupidly, like I’d never heard the word before.

“Yes, I’m taking a late flight to Aspen.”

I blinked. We’d just gotten engaged a half hour ago. “And you’re not taking me?”

He tilted his head to the side, an apologetic smile on his face. “Babe, we’ve talked about this. My mom only allows family on these trips. It was the same with my brother. Tiffany didn’t start coming with us until after she and Daniel got married.”

“Oh, I guess I just thought…” My voice trailed off.

Dwight gave me a soft kiss on the lips and then returned to his phone. “Don’t worry. As soon as we get married, you can come with me. It’s really fun. We all ride snowmobiles up into the mountains, and then at night we relax in the hot tub with drinks.”

“That does sound fun,” I murmured.Too bad I’m not invited.

“The car is only a minute away,” he said, wrapping his arms around me and holding me close. “I’m so excited to marry you, Lehra. I’ll make you the happiest woman in the world.”

The chill inside me thawed a bit, and I nuzzled my lips against his neck. “I wish you could stay.”

“Me too, but you know I can’t. My mother would be so disappointed if I missed Christmas.”

What about me?I wanted to ask but didn’t have time. A Hyundai pulled up to the curb, and after another kiss, Dwight pulled his jacket from me and slipped it back on.

“Bye, fiancée,” he said with a wink as the driver loaded his suitcase into the back.

And then he was gone, leaving me feeling very, very alone.

Chapter 10

“Surprise!”

I widened my eyes as Dwight’s mother walked past me and into my apartment.

“Mrs. Jones,” I said, attempting to put some enthusiasm into my voice as I shot my fiancé a look of panic. “I didn’t know you were coming. Here. To my apartment.”Which is a complete mess right now.

I waddled toward her with toe separators between my toes since I’d been giving myself a pedicure.

“We thought it would be a nice treat for me to visit,” she simpered, pressing a kiss to my cheek. Then she looked down my body and blinked rapidly. “I can see you weren’t expecting company.”

Well, I was, but I was expecting Dwight. And only Dwight. As evidenced by the tiny red negligee I’m currently rocking.

“Oh. Yes, um, let me just go get my robe.” I immediately crossed my arms over my bosom and then penguin-walked down the hallway, cursing under my breath the entire trip.

Shit, shit, dammit to fuck. Way to impress the mother-in-law, Lehra.

I’d only met Dwight’s mother once in the two years we’d been dating. She was a rail-thin woman with a brown bob and a face like a fox. She’d been distantly polite, and I had the feeling she didn’t like me very much.

Slinging on my robe, I tied it tightly around my waist and hobbled back to the living room. “I’m ba-a-a-ack,” I announced, spouting out a nervous giggle. “And decent now. Hi, Dwight.”

“Hey, honey,” he said, giving me a peck on the cheek. I hadn’t seen him since our engagement, and I’d hoped this little reunion would be… different.

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