Page 49 of Loving Her Enemy

His mother held on to him until they reached his father’s study, and once the door was closed, she whirled on Sloane.

“What the hell were you thinking marrying that… that child? How could you marry Bristol’s friend?”

“She’s not a child and you know it. Halayna is very important to me, and I’d appreciate it if you treated her as such.”

“Why weren’t we invited to the wedding? Do you know how embarrassing that was out there?” She pointed at the door. “Are you trying to make me the laughingstock of—”

“I didn’t invite you because if I had asked you to keep the news quiet, you wouldn’t have. As a matter of fact, you probably would’ve tried talking me out of marrying Halayna.”

“You’re damn right I would’ve. She’s not one of us. Not like Marcella.”

Sloane tried to keep a hold of his anger and took a slow sip of his bourbon. “Is that why you invited her and her family over here tonight? Hoping you could change my mind about Halayna and push your agenda on me?”

Guilt showed in her eyes, but it disappeared so quickly, if Sloane hadn’t been expecting it, he would’ve missed it.

“Of course not,” she snapped, patting the side of her hair like she often did when she was trying to think of something to say. Then she took a sip of her wine. “I have never interfered with you kids’ personal lives.”

Sloane almost laughed at the blatant lie, but he didn’t want to prolong this conversation. As it was, he was anxious to return to Halayna’s side, not wanting her to have another run-in with Marcella.

His mother was still fingering her chic pixie haircut, which was as perfect as usual, not a hair out of place. And her one-shoulder dress fit her as if tailored specifically for her, which it probably had been. In her sixties, she was still a looker.

“Even though you think so little of me, you could’ve given your father and me a heads-up,” she murmured, then shrugged. “Maybe next time.”

Sloane stiffened at what she was implying. “There won’t be a next time. Halayna’s it for me, and on that note, I’m going back out there to my wife.” He needed to get out of that room before he forgot she was his mother. A mother he always tried to respect but who made it difficult at times.

When he returned to the great room, Marcella cornered him, and Sloane sighed.

“I can’t believe you married that gold digger and without inviting your family to the wedding. Who does that?” Marcella said, shooting an accusatory gaze at Halayna who was on the other side of the great room laughing at something Bristol said.

“Marcella, what does it matter to you? You’re not a part of my family.”

“But I was supposed to be!” she ground out. “Our parents have been planning our marriage since we were kids, and you knew that. Is this some type of stunt? You marry her to get your mother off your back?”

He almost told her he married Halayna because he was in love with her, but no way would he tell someone else before telling Halayna. Instead, he said, “I would have never married you. Despite us once being friends, I don’t like you. Or I should say, I don’t like the woman you’ve become. If you’ll excuse me, it looks like it’s time for dinner.”

He was tempted to grab Halayna and get the hell out of there. But as he approached his wife, she met his gaze and smiled. Suddenly a bottomless peace settled over him.

This woman was everything light and bright in his life, and he wondered how he had survived this long without her.

She stepped into his arms. “Hey, handsome.”

“Hey yourself, my beautiful wife.” He gave her a lingering kiss on her soft lips. “Come on. Let’s head to the dining room. Dinner is about to be served.”

The doorbell rang as the group was leaving the great room, and a few minutes later, a man around Sloane’s age was heading toward all of them.

“Oh, my goodness. You made it!” Marcella screeched, pushing past them and then launching herself into the newcomer’s arms, kissing him square on the mouth. When the man lowered her to the floor, she was beaming. “Everyone, this is Clint, and Clint this is everyone. You’re right on time. We’re just about to sit down for dinner.”

Hellos and a few handshakes were exchanged before they all continued to the dining room, and Sloane couldn’t help but wonder what was up with Marcella.

If she had invited someone to attend the dinner with her, why had she still been holding out hope that Sloane would one day marry her? Maybe he’d had it all wrong. Maybe she and his mother weren’t planning to do some scheming this evening. If that was the case, good, because he didn’t want the night to be any more awkward than it already was for Halayna.

Standing near the dining table, Sloane wasn’t surprised to see name cards by the place settings. His mother always went all out with her dinner parties, and tonight was no different. The redwood table was formally set for twelve people, and with the floral centerpieces, as well as candles, it could rival a table setting for a wedding reception.

Once everyone was seated and dinner was served, conversation flowed around the table as they feasted on steak and lobster. The meal was fitting for a Michelin Star restaurant, and Sloane hadn’t expected anything less. His parents’ cook was one of the best in the country.

“Sloane, it’s nice to meet you in person,” Marcella’s friend, Clint said. “I have followed your career, and I’m impressed with all you’ve accomplished at your age.”

“Thanks.” He hated his mother had sat Marcella and this guy directly across from them, especially with the way Marcella kept giving Halayna the stink eye.