Page 59 of Away With You
My mouth flops open, and I hurry to close it, biting my tongue to hold in the lecture this woman has coming.How dare she speak to her son this way? How dare she put the needs of George (the betrayer) above those of Nathan?
“Sure thing, Mother. You’ll barely know we’re here.”
She gives him one final hard stare before flouncing away, clicking her fingers at her husband as she goes.
“It was nice to meet you, Katherine,” Nathan’s dad says in a soft voice. Like his wife, he’s scary austere in his appearance, and yet, when he smiles, I glimpse a younger Nathan. It makes me warm to him in a way my fiery temper doesn’t enjoy.
“You too, Mr Jackson.”
We watch the couple walk like royalty through the crowd, and I blow out a noisy breath. “Well, they’re a delight.”
Nathan’s laugh is deep and rich. “They’re something alright. I’m sorry my mother was so rude to you. I’d like to say it’s not personal, but with her, it usually is. That woman takes great pleasure in finding displeasure with everyone around her.”
“Everyone?” I raise a brow.
He shifts on his feet, looking longingly at the bar. “I guess she likes Victoria well enough.”
I blanch, hating the idea that his ex-girlfriend seems to have won this battle. The battle for acceptance into Nathan’s world. Though, to be fair, I wasn’t even in that fight.
I shake my head and pull myself together. This is not about me. For now, I need to support him, one difficult social event at a time. It’s not like his family is going to be any help in that department.
“Alright, bring me in, Coach. What’s the goss? Who do I need to avoid, and why?”
His face lights up as he stares at me. “Bring me in, Coach? Have you ever played any type of sport before?”
I tap my lip with one manicured finger, wracking my brain for an answer. “Do board games count? I’m a killer atTrivial Pursuit.”
His hands find my waist, and he pulls me in closer to him, so close my chest is flush against his. “I’m not sure it’s exactly a sport, but I’m willing to concede this point to you. Though obviouslyMonopolyis the superior board game.”
I laugh while ignoring the way my heart thumps at his nearness. It seems every time my body touches his, small but not insignificant fireworks go off in my brain. It’s becoming a little concerning.
“How about I get you a drink? Something cold and fruity?”
I nod. “No alcohol.”
He pauses, his eyes searching mine. “Of course.”
His long legs eat up the room as he makes his way to the bar, nodding to friends and foes alike but not stopping to speak to anyone. I watch until he’s disappeared behind a crowd and glance around for Rosie. The last thing I want to do is stand here by myself.
When my new bestie is nowhere to be found, I set about snapping photos of the space to send to Jade. So far, she’d been giddily responding to all my updates, wishing we could swap lives, but also urging me to enjoy every minute. I’m pretty sure she fainted when she saw the bungalow Nathan and I are sharing this week; responding after a lengthy delay that if I don’t use that bed for all its intents and purposes, she’ll disown me as a friend.
Way to calm my nerves, bestie!
“Can you not take photos? We have an exclusive deal withPeoplemagazine.”
I turn to the source of the snooty voice and even snootier request. Victoria. Because of course it is. She must have pounced the minute Nathan left me alone, like a beast sensing the weakness in its prey.
“Congratulations.” I tuck my phone away into my sparkly golden purse, price tag three-hundred pounds per square inch, and raise my lips into a smile. “This is all so beautiful.”
She nods, sweeping her judgey gaze over me. Her entire demeanour suggests she’s here to put me in my place. I drag in a fortifying breath, bracing for what’s coming next.
“Thank you,” she purrs, an insincere smile gracing her otherwise immaculate face. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”
I stifle a sigh.We’re playing this game, I guess.“I’m Katherine.” I don’t bother with a handshake. “I’m here with Nathan.”
She tilts her head, and her long blonde hair, curated into enviable waves, doesn’t move an inch. I wonder once we get past this passive-aggressive stuff, if she’ll be willing to share hair care secrets with me?Eh, probably not.
“Right, the new girlfriend.” She all but snarls the sentence, and even though I sensed it was coming, I’m taken aback by her venom.Doesn’t she remember she broke up with him and is now engaged to his brother?
