All afternoon, Mom had begged me to help her pick an outfit for this evening. We’d spent the last few hours in and out of shops. Still unhappy, she got her stylist to pick a few pieces up and deliver them to the house. She’d even organized a few for me to try.
I settled on a royal blue dress, cinched in the waist and flaring to the knee. Pairing it with my Yves Saint Laurent nude pumps would work wonderfully.
It was nice to get dressed up for a change and put on some makeup. Hamptons’ wear was uber casual, and I hadn’t worn a full face of makeup the entire time I was there. I looked at my reflection in the mirror. All I could see was Barrett with his hands on my body, his legs between mine, and his taste on my tongue. Since yesterday, I’d hidden in my room hoping to rid Barrett from my mind until Mom dragged me out shopping today, but I couldn’t stop thinking about him.
“Ready!” Mom burst into my room on the other side of the house.
She donned a stunning Georgian lace dress with embellished shoulder detail. For a woman who just turned fifty, she looked stunning. I’m sure the monthly visits from Dr. Castle may have had something to do with that.
“You look beautiful, Mom.”
“Oh, darling. Look at you. You’ll make a beautiful bride someday. Front of the paper for you, sweetheart.”
I wanted to say, is that because we own the papers but instead, I settled for, “Thanks, Mom.”
“What’s wrong?” She remained standing, not daring to sit down and get her dress wrinkled before the main event.
“I’m just not at all excited about this evening.” And I kept replaying my time with Barrett over and over in my head like a torture wheel.
“I know, I know. But trust me on this one. Finigan is very handsome and intelligent, and comes from a well-regarded family.”
“I know he is.”
“You do?”
I nodded. Well, of course, I googled the man I was being set up with, and truth be told, he was extremely handsome, my age, and tall—just my type. The problem was, I’d tasted dirty and dark and craved it like a drug. I wanted that. I wanted Barrett.
“Good. Great, then enjoy yourself tonight. The Hamptons can wait for their princess.”
I smiled. “Thanks, Mom, but I’m not sure I’ll be going back.”
On the ride back, I told Pepper and Grace I wouldn’t be returning. I needed time to get over everything that had happened. And even though they were bummed, they understood.
“Oh, why?”
Because I’ve fallen for a man who doesn’t love me, and it’s just too damn painful to see him again.
“Just want to hang here for a while.” I admired my chignon bun in the mirror, trying to throw Mom off the scent.
“Excellent. Well, I’ll tell Finigan of your change of plans.”
Wonderfuckingful.
“Come on. Let’s go downstairs. Your brother and Barrett have probably arrived.”
I stopped. “What?” My voice came out in a shout.
She turned her head, pausing at the threshold. “Is that a problem?”
Quickly, I regained my composure. “No, not at all. I just thought he was in the Hamptons.”
“He said he had to pop back for something urgent and bumped into your brother, who invited him tonight. Now come along. It’s not like a Diamond to keep anyone waiting.”
Fuck.