“I’m going to use the bathroom,” I say. I start to stand, and Gant does the same, pulling out my chair for me.
“That way, dear,” Gant’s mom Dotty tells me.
“Thanks.” I give her a smile as I make an escape to break free for a few moments, needing to gather myself and my thoughts together. I could have sworn everyone was staring our way as we sat at the table. It’s strange to be in such a big city but at the same time it seems as though everyone knows everyone. At least in these circles they do. The girl's words about my father stuck with me.
Will I always be seen as the bastard child by everyone that runs in those circles if I decide to stay here? If I wasn't already feeling out of place, that would have knocked me over. I run my finger along the pearls, admiring them in the mirror. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to wearing such exquisite pieces of jewelry.
“They can dress you up all they want, but we know what you are.” My head snaps up to meet the eyes of the girl from earlier in the mirror. The same one that had tried desperately to get herself into Gant’s house. The one that I’ve already growled at.
“I know who I am.” I hold my chin up.
“Do you?” She cocks her head to the side. “The bastard child of David. The one Marguerite Abbott dug up to try and save the Abbot name and stick it to her son.”
“Me being here does nothing to my father but annoy him.” I turn around to face the girl. The sweet tone she had out in front of everyone else is long gone. Around here they all have claws. I hate it. I don’t understand why everyone wants to rip each other down here. It’s so foreign to me, and I want no part of it. I decide that I’ll be the bigger person in this situation.
I go to step around her to leave the bathroom, but she blocks my way. “Are you sure about that? I think Marguerite needs you. That’s how this world works. If you don’t want to get eaten alive and used, you should run back to where you came from.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about. Please move.” My grandma loves me. She has been so good too. I won’t sit here and listen to anyone say otherwise. She’s jealous because Gant didn’t pay her any attention.
“Okay.” She puts her hands up, stepping out of my way. “You’ll see.” I open the bathroom door. “Why else is she trying to marry you off so quickly?” I ignore her words and leave the bathroom. I don’t make it far before I’m grabbed by the arm and pulled into a back office.
“I’ve been dying to kiss you,” Gant says before his mouth comes down onto mine. I let myself get lost in him for a few moments. His mouth is gentle but possessive at the same time. It’s crazy, but my words from earlier were true: I did miss him. More than I should for someone I barely know. “Let me take you out again,” he asks, breaking the kiss. The look in his eyes is desperate. He wants me. The man that everyone keeps telling me never wants anyone. It makes me feel special.
“I guess it only makes sense since according to our family we’re going to be married pretty soon.” I don’t know why, but it feels good to tease him. When I’m with him I feel myself the most. Even more so than my own grandma. I don’t know what it is about him, but I’m drawn to him.
I also wonder if he knows what my grandma is up to. I try to forget the girl's words. I did for a moment when Gant was kissing me. Still they linger no matter how many times I tell myself she is a liar.
Chapter Sixteen
Gant
“The marriage thing took you by surprise?”
“A little.” Paislee picks at the grass just off the edge of the picnic blanket that is serving as the table for our dinner date. The velvet box in my pocket feels like it weighs 10 pounds. Mom presented it to me when we got home from lunch. It was an heirloom piece from her grandmother. The old pear-shaped two-carat champagne-colored diamond is rare enough that if Paislee gets tired of my ass, she could pawn the thing and live out her life on the proceeds.
I don’t know if I should tell her this, because it might give her the wrong idea that she can leave me, but she seems a little lost in this world, and I want her to know she has choices. Not about me, of course. Our coupling is a done deal. For everything else, though, she is the captain of her own boat.