Page 39 of Wicked Prince

"Like what?" I ask, folding my arms. "You're the one who wanted me here. If you were so worried about me embarrassing you, you could’ve just left me out of it."

"That's not an option," he says, making it clear he wishes it were one. His gaze turns cold and serious as he stares me down. "Tonight is important, Amelia. Not only to your sister, but to the family. Both our families. I know you didn't grow up in this world, but there is no such thing as an individual action. Everything you do reflects on the family name, and when you choose to date someone, their entire family—and yours—is involved."

"Um, I never wanted to be involved with the family name in the first place," I reply. "I didn't exactly have a whole lot of say in that."

Dad sighs and fixes me with an annoyed look. "I know you're still upset about your mother's passing," he says. "And you may not want it to, but this is where you belong, Amelia. One day, you'll thank me."

"For what?" I snap. "For acknowledging my existence?"

He's unperturbed by my outburst. "For the life I've given you," he replies, as if it should be obvious.

"What life?" I shoot back, leaning forward so hard on the table that it feels like my elbows might break right through. "The one you yanked away? Or the one you decided to force me into the second it benefitted you?"

His eyes narrow, and I can tell he's about to respond when he sees something behind me and his entire demeanor shifts. He stands up from the table, and I turn around to see Kayleigh and my stepmother walking toward the table.

The latter is dressed in a tight white tube dress with her new designer rack pushed together to the point where I don't even know how she can breathe. Kayleigh is slightly more understated, with a shimmery yellow shift dress that has studs on the sleeves.

At least I don't feel like my outfit is skimpy anymore.

"Looking radiant as ever, love," Dad says, leaning in to plant a kiss on Natalie's lips.

I look away, trying to pretend like the sight doesn't turn my stomach. He greets Kayleigh, and they both sit down on his other side without a word of acknowledgement to me, which suits me fine.

"They're not here yet?" Kayleigh says, glancing around nervously. She must really like the guy if she's betraying any semblance of human emotion other than disdain.

I wonder if he has any idea what he's in for.

Then again, if she likes him, he's probably a dick, too.

"It's not even seven-thirty," Dad says, sitting back down. "They'll be here."

Kayleigh looks over at me, glaring daggers. I was starting to think she was too nervous to remember how much she hates me, but I guess that's wishful thinking. "I still don't know whyshehas to be here."

"We've been over this," Dad says, even though there's barely a hint of the firmness he uses with me in his voice. "If you two are going to make things official and go public, the least he needs to do is meet our family. Thewholefamily."

The look of disgust that curls back Kayleigh's pink lips is palpable, but she keeps whatever she's thinking inside. For now. She's always on good behavior around him, but I know better than to think she doesn't still have it out for me.

Come to think of it, maybe that's why she's nervous. Maybe she thinks I'm going to make a scene and humiliate her in front of her new boy toy and his family.

Now there's an idea.

Tempting as it may be, I'm not going to make any waves. Not intentionally, at any rate. Who knows? It might even get me off her bad side. I doubt it, but it's worth a shot if I'm actually going to stick around for the time being.

I can't help but wonder what they'd all think if I brought Lorenzo to family dinner.

Not that we're even in a relationship to begin with, and I hate my mind for even going there, but...

The reminder of him is enough to make me check my phone again, just to see if he texted. Nothing. He's probably pissed that I left without saying anything, and I can't blame him. I owe him an apology for that next time I see him, if nothing else.

The way he was this morning, though... I can't help but wonder if maybe I'm not just reading into things. As delusional as it probably is, I can't help but entertain the idea of what it would be like to actually be in a relationship with him.

With anyone, really. I've never felt that kind of connection with another guy, and Anthony is right. I'm not a robot, and I can't just pretend like it doesn't matter to me that Lorenzo was my first.

"Your father is right," Natalie says. When I look up, her wine glass is halfway empty even though she just sat down. When the hell did she manage to guzzle that? "You can't keep secrets from your future in-laws."

"In-laws," Dad chuffs. "They just started dating."

"And the boy would be out of his mind if he lets her get to graduation without a ring," Natalie shoots back, her head held high and proud, like she's bragging about a show pony. "Of course they'll marry one day. With the reputation of our families, it's written in the stars."

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