Page 7 of Holidate Pursuit

“I’m seeing someone,” I announce out of nowhere.

“Well, it can’t be that serious if we haven’t heard about it until now, which means you’re not off the market yet. You should keep in contact with Nathan. I think you two are perfect for each other. Your children would be beautiful,” Mom keeps droning on as if I’d said nothing. Beautiful children are all that matter, didn’t you know?

What the hell is it going to take? “Actually, it is serious. We’re engaged.” I internally cringe at the words spewing from my mouth. What the hell am I doing?

Choking on her wine, Mom shrieks, “WHAT? No, you’re not. You’re not even wearing a ring. You can’t be. Franklin, are you hearing this? Your daughter is trying to tell us she’s engaged. This is ridiculous.” The lie that just came out of my mouth was worth it for no other reason than to see Mom have the biggest fit I’ve witnessed since I was seven and cut all my hair off.

“I’m hearing it. What I didn’t hear is who this man is and why we haven’t met him. Care to explain yourself, Lucy?” Well, this is a first—Dad giving a crap about something pertaining to me.

“It’s someone I met at the office. We decided not to tell anyone until we had time to—” I’m not able to finish, which is a good thing because I hadn’t really come up with an answer yet.

“Oh my God, are youpregnant?” my mom asks with a high-pitched shriek.

I really want to fuck with her and say yes, but I’d just be digging myself deeper, and then what? Not only that, but I’m pissed it’s what she automatically assumes after telling her I’m engaged.

“No, I’m not pregnant. He’s just busy, and we decided not to tell anyone until we could give it the attention it deserves.”

Mom’s face lights up. “It’s Mr. Dubree, isn’t it?”

“NO!” I immediately protest.

“Well then, who is it? You said he was from the office.” She visibly deflates.

“Mom, Dubree Enterprises is huge.” I roll my eyes. “His name is Justin, and he’s one of their security officers.”

“You’re engaged to a rent-a-cop? What are you thinking, Lucy? You’re worth more than that,” Mom says as she fans herself with her hand dramatically. It doesn’t go unnoticed that she didn’t say Ideservemore, but that I’mworthmore.

And this is precisely what I hate about being home. My parents’ pretentiousness. It pisses me off. “He’s not a rent-a-cop. He runs his own security firm and is a badass bodyguard for the rich and famous.” I’m defending my pretend fiancé—this is ridiculous.

Mom sighs in relief. “That sounds slightly more suitable.”

I’m so over this conversation.

“You will not marry someone beneath you, and certainly not without our approval,” Dad interjects.

“You can’t be serious. It’s my decision who I marry, and that decision is made.” I’m now fighting for my fake engagement.

Seriously, what is wrong with me?

“We’ll see about that. Your trust fund says otherwise,” Dad states with no emotion whatsoever.

He did not just threaten me.

“Thank you so much for the enlightenment. My trust fund can go fuck itself,” I yell my parting words as I walk out of the room, leaving Mom gasping and Dad cursing my name.

A NOT SO JOLLY GATHERING

Lucy

“So, then I called my brother to pick me up, who, by the way, was toldnotto come to dinner that night.” Lily’s jaw drops in shock. She resembled a fish throughout the story about my visit home for Thanksgiving. “There was no way I was spending one more night under their roof. If they’re going to hold my trust fund over my head, then they can keep it. I’m doing just fine on my own anyway,” I finish.

“Wow, that’s harsh. We’ll get to the fiancé thing in a minute, but first, why didn’t you ever tell me about your family? And more importantly, whyareyou working as a secretary? Does Sebastian know how overqualified you are?”

“I’m not—”

“No. I did not,” Sebastian answers from the hallway as he rounds the corner, making my head snap in his direction.

“Why didn’t you tell me he was here?” I whisper-shout at Lily. Dammit, I knew I should’ve left out the part about my parents’ harassment over my job. We wanted to catch up after my trip, and I didn’t hesitate when she suggested we meet for wine at her place, which also happens to be Sebastian’s.

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