Tori sighed. “I’m perfectly capable of going to a stuffy cocktail party for a few hours. And to be honest, I’d rather get this over with.”
He couldn’t blame her.
“Don’t back out using me as an excuse, Jeremy.”
“Fine.”
The doctor merely chuckled in the background as she packed up her things.
“I’ll walk you to the door,” Jeremy said, erasing the scowl from his face. Besides, Tori was right.
It would be good to get it over with.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
TORI DIDN’T KNOW why she hadn’t thought to ask if Jeremy had a car. Of course he did. And the next night they left the city and headed to Connecticut, to his family home and the party that would be waiting for them.
She was dressed in the cocktail dress he’d bought her that first day of shopping, and new shoes, and the cape. She carried a little clutch and felt more than ever like Cinderella going to the ball, only this time it felt as if the host wasn’t a prince but the evil stepmother.
By the time they left it was dark, so Tori couldn’t even focus on the scenery. Instead, nerves bubbled up inside her. Jeremy had said that she had to know what she was getting herself into, and that didn’t bode well. She had enough anxiety for the both of them; she didn’t need to be absorbing any of Jeremy’s. His hands gripped the steering wheel and his jaw was set. He wasn’t looking forward to this holiday party, either.
“Just remember that it doesn’t matter what my mother thinks of you, okay? Or Bruce, either.”
“So why is it so important for me to meet them? I mean, I don’t want to say that I think being estranged is a good thing, but I’m just...” She took a breath and let out what she was really thinking. “Are you hoping that it’ll scare me off?”
“What? No!” He took his eyes off the road for a moment. “Of course not!”
Then he sighed, a heavy, weary sigh. “I talked to my friend Bran when we were still back in Nova Scotia. He told me I shouldn’t blindside you with my family. That you should know what you’re getting into. He’s right. And maybe there’s a part of me that thinks that maybe it’ll help you understand me a little better, too.” He looked over again, a grim smile on his lips. “Warts and all.”
She tried a small smile. “Kissing frogs who turn into princes?”
“I’m no prince.” He smiled back, though it was edged with tension. “Also, a holiday cocktail party means Mom will be on her best behavior, or at least I hope so. Tomorrow morning we’ll drive back and it’ll be over and done with.”
They still hadn’t talked about when she’d be returning home, but she did have to be back by Thursday of the following week. She couldn’t take unlimited vacation and leave Tom in the lurch with the hotel.
She supposed that meant in the new year she’d be talking to him about resigning and creating an exit plan.
The thought made her sad, and a bit lonely, but she was moving on to big things. And it would have to be done, regardless, because her maternity leave was scheduled to start at the beginning of April.
It was nearly eight when a gate swung open and they pulled into a large, circular drive. The lane leading up to the property was heavily treed, so Tori only saw darkness out the passenger side window. A number of cars were already parked. The party had begun, apparently.
“Cocktails now, dinner at eight thirty,” he murmured, turning off the engine. “Phew. Are you ready?”
“No. You’re making me nervous.”
“I’m sorry.” He ran his hand through his hair, a clear sign he was agitated. “I’m being a coward.”
She turned in her seat. “Listen, we don’t have to go in. If you’re this upset, that tells me all I need to know. Don’t do this because of me.”
He relaxed a little. “I think it’s like ripping off a Band-Aid. Once it’s done, I’ll feel better. And then I won’t have to worry about it again.”
“Well, then, let’s get ripping. It’s going to get cold out here in about thirty seconds.” A light snow had started to fall.
He got out and then went around the car to open her door, and held her elbow firmly as they walked to the entrance of the grand home.
At first glance, Tori thought the house was simply a large colonial style—gorgeous but not the imposing mansion she’d been expecting. But as they stepped up to the oversize oak door, she realized that tucked back behind the main house were expansive wings, afforded privacy by the large, sheltering tr
ees to each side of the main building. “Oh,” she whispered.