Page 99 of Oblivion

“Mrs. Hartley,” Evan says. “The residents of Alistern House were in an unconventional polyamorous relationship. While it’s not my place to judge, none of us were happy with Samantha living in a house where every room, bar hers, was being used for a constant live sex show.”

The sound of my dad choking on his drink captures all of our attention.

“Say what now?” he coughs.

“I’m not entirely sure what their dynamic was, but the triplets, Amie, Amelia, and Anastasia, were in relationships with the three boys who were also living in the house. After one ofthe girls got pregnant, all three girls started…” I pause, unsure if I should even tell my parents this when it’s all completely irrelevant now. “Swapping partners. I walked in on them all naked in the shared living space so many times that I used to close my eyes when I stepped foot in the house. The only room that was off limits to them and their naked fun times was my bedroom because I locked it and they didn’t have a key.”

Mama’s horrified gasp is so funny that I have to bite my lip to stop myself from laughing.

“You could have told us,” she hisses, her expression as scandalized as any good Southern mama should be.

“If I’d have told you that my housemates were nymphos and enjoying each other all over the house, you’d have made me come home,” I exclaim.

“Of course we would have. Clearly that school isn’t a suitable?—”

“Mrs. Hartley,” Evan interrupts.

“Sammy only lived there for a few weeks before she moved in with us. So I don’t think there’s any point in dwelling on the past. You’ll meet Starling, as well as my other two sisters, January and Bunny, at the dress consultation later.”

“More sisters?” Mama asks churlishly.

“My brothers’ wives.”

“Wait,” Dad says. “You have more half siblings?”

“No,” Evan says, amused. “My upbringing was a little different than most people’s. I’m sure you’re aware of the friendship and alliance between my family and that of the Lockwoods, Rossbergs, and Jansens. But very few people know that our families all own houses within the same gated plot. I grew up living between mine, Sebastian’s, Hunter’s, and Clay’s homes. I’m almost as close to their parents as I am to my dad. The guys and I may not be related by blood, but we share a kinship that’s as close to a brotherhood as you can get. The guysare my brothers, and their wives are my sisters. So once Sammy and I get married, she’ll be gaining three big brothers who already love and adore her, and her best friends will officially become her sisters too.”

I don’t know if it’s the impressive names Evan just dropped or the assurance that by marrying him I’ll be gaining a protective and influential new family, but it silences my parents, and we fall into comfortable small talk until our food has been delivered.

“I contacted the Wilshore Mansion, and they have space for you to get married there in July,” Mama says, slipping it into the conversation.

“You want me to get married at the same place we went to visit with Drew’s mama?” I ask, horrified.

“It’s a beautiful venue, especially in July,” Mama says, refusing to meet my gaze and the glare I’m flashing her.

“We’ve already decided we’ll be getting married at our new home,” Evan says with a tone of finality.

“But,” Mama starts to protest.

“Mama,” I snap. “You wanted me to get married fast, and that’s what I’m doing. The house is beautiful, and the wedding planner is terrifying enough I imagine she could take over the world if she decided to.”

“But I don’t understand what the rush is. Are you…” She clears her throat and glances down at my stomach. “Do you…need to get married?”

“Mama,” I exclaim. “Are you asking if I’m pregnant?”

Evan’s smooth but icy chuckle fills the small room, silencing everyone. “Mrs. Hartley, I’m going to have to insist that you never suggest that I’m being forced to marry your daughter ever again. I came to you and told you both that I was in love with her and intended to make her my wife. I will not tolerate our relationship being sullied by the notion that I somehow feel obliged.”

“I’m not pregnant, Mama. I’m nineteen, for goodness’ sake, and Evan isn’t the type of man who’s already planned out our entire life together, including naming the children he’d planned to create in a lab, not out of love.” Some of the anger I’d been feeling toward Drew slips into my voice, but inhaling sharply, I exhale and center myself again before I continue. “Evan and I have had feelings for each other since the day we met, but we’ve never acted on them because…well, I’m not sure why we didn’t, but we didn’t. Now that we’ve acknowledged the way we feel about each other, there doesn’t seem any reason to wait to be together.”

“Well, I’ll raise a glass to that,” Daddy says, silencing my mom with a single look. “There’s nothing more beautiful than young love. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness together.”

“Thank you, Mr. Hartley,” Evan says.

“Call me Grant,” my dad tells him.

28

EVAN

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