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“If your sense of style was as sharp as your tongue, we’d all be in a much better situation.” Ophelia plucks at my dress until I smack her hands away.
“Mom. Dad. Please.” I take a deep breath. Do not lose your shit in public. Do not lose your shit in public. “Let’s just sit down and order an appetizer. If you want drinks, that’s fine by me. Get whatever you want.”
Ophelia sniffles and snaps her napkin into place on her lap. “What we want, dear Daphne, is an apology for your abhorrent behavior the other day.”
“My abhorrent…?” Again, I suck in a deep breath. Stress is not good for the baby. “Fine. I’m sorry.”
“For…?”
I grab a menu and slap it open. “Do you guys want cheese curds? I could go for some cheese curds.”
Ophelia opens her mouth to say what I know for a fact is an insult regarding my baby weight. I brace myself… but before she launches her venom, she suddenly shuts her mouth again.
I find out why a second later…
When Conrad slides into the seat next to me.
“Sorry I’m late,” he says to my parents. His stupid, cheeky, lopsided smile widens when he sees me. “I got stuck in traffic.”
“Oh, don’t worry about a thing!” Ophelia reaches across the table to squeeze his hand. His left hand, specifically. His right one stays tucked beneath the table. “We’re so happy you could make it.”
I stare daggers at her. “What. The actual. Fuck?!”
“Language!” Stewart snaps.
“No. No. I’m going to say what I want to say, how I want to say it. I invited you to lunch. You had no right inviting anyone else.”
Conrad chuckles and pats my thigh. “Somebody’s hangry.”
Everyone joins in on his stupid joke.
Meanwhile, I’m fucking fuming.
“Get your hand off me,” I grind out through gritted teeth. I can’t even look at him, I’m so pissed.
Instead of doing what I ask, Conrad just smiles and gives my knee a squeeze.
“I said, get the fuck off me.” I’m trying to keep my voice low so we don’t draw attention, but he’s making it damn near impossible.
Stewart frowns at me. “Come now, Daphne. There’s no excuse for being rude. It’s certainly no way to treat your fiancé.”
My…
My what?!
“Oh! Speaking of…” Ophelia claps her hands together excitedly. “I have great news! I spoke with the president of the Rochester Club and he said they’d be open to hosting your ceremony on their grounds next spring! I already paid the reservation fee, so all you have to do is?—”
“Excuse me?!”
Now, we’re drawing attention. But I don’t care. I’m so beyond caring at this point.
“Have you lost your goddamn minds?” I look between my parents. “Are you high? Seriously, I’m asking as a literal health question.”
“I’ve had about enough of your insolence, young lady!”
“And I told you we’re done! Conrad and I are not getting married!”
Stewart leans forward and drops his voice to a low hiss. “You will do as I damn well tell you! We’ve worked too hard for too long, cleaning up after your mess! You will sit there and act the part or God help me…”
