Page 171 of Nine Months to Love
“I want something small. Intimate. Just close friends and family.”
“But Olivia?—”
“No. This is my wedding. Mine and Stefan’s. Not yours.”
“I understand that, darling. But you have to think about appearances. Stefan is one of the most powerful men in Boston. People will expect?—”
“I don’t give a rat’s ass what people expect.”
She flinches at my language, but it doesn’t stop her. “Well, you should. This is an opportunity to make a statement. We canshow the world that you’re not just some struggling nobody. You’re marrying into power. Intoinfluence.”
I feel my jaw clench. “I’m marrying Stefan because I love him, Mother. Not because of his power or his ‘influence.’”
“Yes, yes, obviously, of course you are. But that doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from it.”
“I don’t want to benefit from it.”
She sighs. “You’re being naive.”
“Mom, please don’t?—”
“Olivia.” She takes my hands in hers to shut me up. “I know you like to think of yourself as above all this. The politics and the posturing, yes, yes. But the truth is, we live in a world where appearances matter. Connections matter. And this wedding is your chance to solidify your place in that world.”
“I don’t want a place in that world.”
“Then you’re a fool.”
I pull my hands away. “Excuse me?”
“I’m sorry, darling. But it’s true. You’ve spent your entire life struggling to prove yourself. And now, you have the opportunity to walk into a room and have people take you seriously without question. Why would you throw that away?”
“Because it’s not real! None of it is real!” I shake my head before she can even get going again. “You know what? I’m not having this conversation.”
“Fine. Then let me make you a deal.”
I cross my arms. “What kind of deal?”
“Meet with a wedding planner. Just one. Erica Renee. She’s the best in the city. If, after meeting with her, you still want a small wedding, I’ll back off. I won’t say another word.”
I don’t believe her for a second. Margaret never backs off.
But then an idea starts to form.
Saturday.The day I’m supposed to meet Natalia. If I schedule the wedding planner meeting for the same day, it gives me an alibi. A reason to be out. A cover story.
“Fine,” I say. “I’ll meet with her.”
Margaret lights up. “Really?”
“Yes. But I’m taking the meeting alone. No you. No opinions. No influence.” She opens her mouth to argue, but I shake my head again. “Those are my terms. Take them or leave them.”
She purses her lips. Then nods. “Fine. I’ll set it up.”
“Saturday,” I add. “At the Eliot Hotel. One-thirty.”
She pulls out her phone and starts typing. “I’ll text you the details once it’s confirmed.”
“Thanks.”
