Page 77 of Give My Everything
Though I’m assuming she might interact with him differently if they were ever together away from the watchful eyes of the public, which they’re not.
“Vivian,” he says.
That’s the only acknowledgment he gives her, turning his focus back to me.
No. He’s not focused on me.
His eyes breeze past me and to my left, where Remmy stands at my side, her hand in mine.
“Remmy, this is my father, Calvin Calloway,” I say, looking at her face and noting the stiff smile and attempt to appear friendly. Then I look back to my dad and continue with my plan, even though there’s a little voice in the back of my mind telling me I’m making a mistake. “This is Remmy Wallace, my fiancée.”
I see the shift in my father’s posture, the reaction vibrating in his entire body, his eyes boring into mine like he would light me on fire if he could get away with it.
Knowing the things my father has done, he probably could.
“Fiancée,” he says, his eyes returning to her. “How…interesting.”
“We’ve met before, Mr. Calloway,” Remmy says, detangling her hand from mine as she gives him a smile and reaches out to shake his. “Back when I was in high school.”
He smiles at her, that shark-like grin he thinks is charming but I know is full of manipulation and self-interest, before slipping his hand into hers.
“That’s right, that’s right. RemmyWallace. My, you’ve grown up quite a bit, haven’t you?”
She steps back, taking her place back at my side and returning her hand to mine.
“What have you been up to recently?” he continues. “You left town a while back, right?”
Remmy nods. “I went to college up in Santa Barbara,” she answers. “But now I’m back.”
“And engaged to my son it seems.”
I see her smile wobble but then she looks up at me, and whatever nerves or fears she was allowing to fuck with her mind just a second ago clear like clouds as they part for the sun.
“I am.” She goes up on tiptoe and presses a soft kiss to my cheek. When she drops back down, her expression is just as soft. “And I couldn’t be happier.”
Something inside me warms at her words, acting or not. Maybe because I do truly want Remmy to be happy, maybe because I never envisioned a life for myself where I’d makeanyonehappy, least of all a wife.
Regardless of the reason, I can’t help the easy smile I give back to her as I take in her eyes and tan skin and the deep wine color on her lips.
“Congratulations are in order.”
My father’s voice feels like a bucket of ice water down my back, severing the connection I have with Remmy, my focus returning to where he stands next to us.
“We should do a…family dinner, perhaps?”
The calculated part of my mind can already guess what his next words are going to be.
“That way we have a chance to celebrate with your family as well.”
And there it is. My father’s mind moves incredibly fast. It doesn’t surprise me that it only took a minute or two for him to identify the true threat Remmy represents.
“We already have a dinner planned,” I interject. “Just a small engagement party, though, mostly just close friends.”
My words hang there between us, crystalizing in the air.
He looks displeased, though I doubt many other than me would be able to identify it through that charming smile of his.
After all, Iamthe one who has displeased him the most.
