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I nodded shyly, a little overwhelmed by the attention. Merrick cut in, assuring her I couldn’t wait and we were so grateful to them for hosting my birthday.
They exchanged a few more words and then we parted ways. Merrick slid a hand around my waist to navigate me through the people to a round table at the far side of the room. We didn’t have time to debrief from the first conversation because suddenly my heart was thumping in my chest.
My future husband sat there, sprawled out in his chair. Knees apart and arm resting lazily on the table.
Our eyes connected and I shrank back, cowed by his unabashed stare and his casually opulent clothes. His parents sat on the other side of the table, both dressed to the nines. His mother intimidated me right away with her rail thin figure and perfect hair.
In my frilly, little dress, I felt very young.
Osian had the same complexion and hair color as Merrick, but they looked nothing alike. He was handsome in a rich boy way, his eyes bored beneath the curls hanging over one eyebrow. The other brow had a scar running through it and he had another small nick on his lower lip.
Okay, so at least that was a little sexy.
“Nia and Rhys,” said Merrick, leaning over to shake their hands. “And Osian. Pleasure to see you all.”
I kept my eyes on the floor while Merrick exchanged quick pleasantries with them. I stayed back, cheeks flushed, my fingers clasped around my handbag.
Merrick turned after what felt like an eternity. My heart pumped hard, but I forced myself to step forward, offering a shaky smile. Nia Cardiff’s eyes raked over me, assessing me and my tiny dress and towering heels. It was easy to tell she didn’t approve.
“Hi,” I whispered, my voice raspy.
She bent and shook my hand. “How are you, Clara?”
Her voice was a little chilly, like frost and pure judgement.
“Very good, thank you,” I said.
At least, I tried to say that, but all that came out was a little cough. Shocked, I took a second to clear my throat and this time the words came out. My cheeks flushed and I saw Osian smirk in the corner.
I felt Merrick’s hand rest on the middle of my back. Stabilizing me.
“Osian Cardiff,” he said. “May I present, Clara Prothero.”
Osian stood abruptly and circled the table. He approached, one hand in his pocket, and loomed over me. He was an inch or two shorter than Merrick and his lanky body didn’t have the broadness of a mature man.
His presence was suffocating, but he did smell nice. Like spicy cologne.
I couldn’t stop myself from chewing that tender spot in my mouth. He offered his palm and I laid my fingers in it. To my surprise, he lifted my hand and kissed the back lightly. When he looked at me from below his thick brows, there was a hint of amusement in his eyes.
“Pleasure to meet you, Clara,” he said.
He had a nice voice, but it had a tinge of something that didn’t sit well with me. Almost a hint of contempt, like he didn’t think I was good enough for him.
He could probably tear me apart in an argument with a voice like that.
I felt Merrick’s attentive gaze as Osian led me around the table and pulled out the chair beside his, pushing it in for me. Merrick sat beside Nia, directly across from me, and I found myself wishing he was closer. I wasn’t good at meeting new people.
The waiter brought out ice water and a bottle of wine. Osian poured my glass like a perfect gentleman and I accepted it, trading it for a small smile. His mouth twitched and the corner jerked up in a jaunty smirk.
Did this man know how to do anything else but smirk?
“You’re a little shy,” he said quietly.
The odd thing was, I wasn’t normally this uncomfortable. Meeting my future husband and in-laws was just…intimidating.
“Sorry,” I said, giving him puppy eyes. That always worked on Merrick.
His mouth jerked. “I like it,” he drawled. “It’s sweet.”
