Page 47 of Come Here and Kiss Me

“Thanks.”

“Did your fiancé choose that gown?”

“Oh, so you know, then?”

“Of course I know. What kind of mother would I be if I didn’t know her only child is engaged? Especially when it’s to a Wolf.” She smirks, and I bite my tongue to keep from telling her that I missed her call of congratulations. “Your father must be livid. Good. I’m glad. He needs to be humbled. I’m glad it came from the hand of your future husband. And what a catch you have caught, my darling. Professor Wolf is as sexy and powerful as his father.”

My head tilts, wondering if my mother is drunk or high with the way she’s talking. “As sexy and powerful as his father?” I question.

“You heard me right.”

“I thought you hated him?”I clarify, “I thought you hated Mr. Wolf.”

She cocks her head. “No, darling. Quite the contrary. I got along quite well with Mr. Wolf.”

My stomach twists with the flirtation in her tone.

“Haven’t you ever wondered why there’s a feud to begin with?”

“What are you saying?”

“I just want what’s best for you, Brooklyn,” she says, placing her hand on my arm. “I’m relieved you’ve found someone, and I’m hopeful you’re going to start a fresh new life and make your father proud or… piss him off.”

She laughs and then looks up, taking a sip from her glass to scour the room.

Her hand leaves my arm, and I realize that’s the first time she’s touched me in years.

I force a half smile when she looks back at me.

“Are you happy?”

“Yes.” I nod, pushing down every emotion that storms through me.

“Are you in love with him?”

“Yes.” I nod again.

This is a lie.

We’re a facade.

It’s all fake.

Then why has nothing ever felt so real?

I hate that I don’t feel like I’m lying, but mostly…

I hate that I feel like a failure.

“Oh,” she says like she’s just come up with a brilliant idea. “We should take a picture.”

“Just one moment,” I tell her. “I’m going to freshen up first. Another lie. I back away with a smile that falls the moment I turn my back on her.

As I try to shake off what’s just happened, I search the crowd for Ronan, wishing we could just snap a picture to prove our presence and leave.

CHAPTER17

Ronan

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