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It's been two weeks with her in France, and honestly, I’ve never had so much fun in this country before. I’ve already been to all the places I took her to, but visiting with her offers a fresh perspective that I really enjoy.
I involuntarily glance at my watch again, and this time, my father’s nudge is forceful enough to hurt. “Ow!” I glare at him.
“Stop it. You’ll never network if people think you’re in a hurry, and I wonder why you’re in a hurry.”
“Hello, my lady is home alone,” I whisper back. “And so is yours.”
“Mine loves to be alone,” he said jokingly. “I’m sure she wishes I don’t return.”
I laugh. “Somehow, I don’t doubt that.”
“Me too.” He smiles at me before turning to the stage again.
I feel more comfortable talking to my dad about Jasmine than my mother. I’m unsure if I’ll ever get to that stage with Mom, and it’s sad. My mother and I have never been chummy, but the gulf between us has never been this wide. As a teenager, I wondered why she never used to laugh or smile at me, and I was desperate to gain her love.
As an adult, I don’t care anymore. It is what it is. I love her, but I’m content because this is what she chose.
I manage not to glance at my wristwatch until the events come to an end, and I rush to my feet, grateful it’s finally over. My father rests a teasing gaze on me as he rises, buttoning his jacket. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“Aren’t we leaving?”
“No, son.” He puts his arm around me and leads me toward the crowd of people already laughing and exchanging handshakes. “We’re going to network.”
“Why?” I groan. “We’re the biggest name at this event. We should sit back and let people come to us.”
“Said like your mother,” he said with a smile. “But we won’t be the big name without all the little names. We need these people, so we’re going to talk to them. Now.”
Unfortunately, we’ve hardly taken more than two steps when we run into Eve and Lugard Sicily. They don’t look very happy to see us. Eve glowers at me, and her annoyance is only matched by her father’s. However, one thing about the wealthy is how they’ll maintain strict politeness in public.
“David Ace.” Lugard nods at my father, keeping his hands stuffed in his pocket. “Alec Ace.”
“Lugard,” my father says, smiling. “It’s wonderful to see you.”
“Hmm,” he grunts, and my father turns to Eve. “You look beautiful, Eve.”
“Apparently not beautiful enough for your son, David.”
“Eve!” Lugard glances at her with disapproval. “Stop it.”
I pull away from my father and take a step towards Eve. “Can we talk? Please?”
“I doubt there’s much to talk about.” She shakes her head. “Now, if you’ll—”
“Please.” I step in front of her. “Just this once.”
She stares silently at me for a fleeting moment before turning towards the door. I nod at the men and follow her. She doesn’t stop walking until she’s out on the veranda, where it’s a little quiet.
“What do you want?”
“To apologize.”
She rolls her eyes and starts to walk away. “Remember when we were teenagers?” I ask, and she halts. “When we met for the first time since our betrothal.”
“Yes,” she answers stiffly.
“You liked a boy, and you told me you wanted to marry him when we were older. You were a little upset about the betrothal.”
“But you assured me we weren’t getting married right away and that I could be with the boy if I wanted to,” she says.
