Chapter 38
AURELIA
We were down to the wire. Christmas was days away, and with it, our party at the estate. Every spare second Harrison and I had was a blur of lists and deliveries, decisions about flowers and menus, and continued ideas for how to pull it off without CC or Regina catching wind of our scheme.
It was more difficult with CC, of course, since the setup was happening right under her nose on the estate, but then again, several city blocks could fit between Harrison’s house there and hers. The fact that he didn’t live there helped.
None of his family members, all of whom resided in their own homes on the estate, had any reason to venture up to Harrison’s place, but still.
We’d been coming and going far more often than Harrison had told me was usual for him, and with the cleaning crews, event planners, and caterers in and out as well, it was a constant worry that our surprise was going to be found out.
However, so far, so good.
Outside of the fact that I’d ended up Christmas shopping with my mother. Harrison had been trying to get a hold of her, figuring that if the invitation came from him, it would be something of an olive branch, but she hadn’t responded to him at all.
As we wandered through the mall, I tried to keep the word wedding out of my vocabulary with as much caution and precision as not saying the word bomb at an airport.
Regina, of course, had other plans. She’d already accepted the invite I’d extended to the party a few minutes ago, but of course, she didn’t stop there.
“You know, darling,” she said, plucking up a silk scarf and wrapping it around her neck. “It’s simply marvelous that you and Harrison are hosting an event at the estate. I’m proud of you for embracing your role as a Westwood lady so completely.”
I bit my tongue, forcing a smile. “It’s just going to be a small gathering. We’re keeping it cozy and intimate. Family and close friends only.”
Her eyes narrowed with interest, the expression reminding me of the way a cat looked at a dangling ribbon. “Well, that’s good. I do hope CC will be there. I’d like to see her. Look at how our story turned out. With our children, our families, soon to be bound together.”
I let her have her moment. This wasn’t about me. It was about her winning the imaginary duel she’d been fighting with CC since the dawn of time. We moved on to the next shop, arms heavy with bags.
I was still silently congratulating myself for dodging further interrogation about the party when she struck again. “Now that you’re living in the Westwood world, you really must stop thinking about work.”
I nearly stumbled over my own feet. “Excuse me?”
“Work,” she repeated, her nose wrinkling like she found the very word distasteful. “It’s not proper for you to work anymore. Harrison may indulge you for now. He might even tell you that you can keep doing it for now, but you shouldn’t.”
Heat climbed up my throat, sharp and fast, but I bit it back, biting my tongue at the same time. Harrison and I had our plans. That was what mattered. Not what she thought about it. I tried to remind myself of that like a mantra as she patted my hand dismissively.
“You’re marrying into something greater than a career, darling. The Westwood name has gravity. Your job is to honor that, not to run around like some working girl.”
I bit my tongue so hard it hurt. I might have survived the whole outing in strained silence, but then we ran straight into Harrison, Callum, and Brody.
Their arms were also full of bags and they grinned like they’d completed some covert mission, but to me, all three of them looked like boys who’d put off Christmas shopping until the eleventh hour.
“Fancy meeting you here,” Harrison said, his eyes catching mine instantly. “I hope you didn’t forget about the gag gifts.”
I widened my eyes at him, but when I glanced at my mother, I realized it was too late. She’d definitely heard him. Her nostrils flared, but then she cleared her throat after Harrison had introduced her to his brother and his son.
“We were just discussing wedding plans,” she said. “You haven’t accepted my offer to host in the Hamptons yet, Harrison. Why is that? You said you had a venue booked for Christmas Eve in New York, but that doesn’t seem to have worked out.”
My throat closed. I knew what I wanted to say. I desperately wanted to tell her that we’d already chosen what we were doing and that it felt so right, but I strangled the words before they could come out.
Harrison didn’t hesitate. “We haven’t accepted your offer because that’s not what we want and we’re doing things our way. Thanks, though. It was a very gracious offer.”
The finality in his tone made even Callum look at him with surprise registering on his features. My mother’s smile became brittle, but for once, she said nothing. Harrison slung an arm around my shoulders and pivoted smoothly.
“Hey, Brody. You know how we were just talking about career day? Have I ever told you that your soon-to-be aunt Aurelia has superpowers? I’ve seen her at work and it’s basically mind control.”
Brody’s eyes lit up as they met mine. “Cool. Can you make my dad get me a hot pretzel?”
Callum’s eyes widened and he scoffed. “I already bought you one.”
“And it was so good I want another one,” the kid said, grinning.
“I don’t know if my powers will work on him,” I said, smiling back at him.
My mother’s eyes rolled. “Aurelia won’t be working anymore. Her powers will be reserved for tea times and party planning, like any good woman of means should.”
I stiffened, finally ready to explode, but Brody beat me to the punch. He crossed his arms, his little chin jutting out. “My mom’s a teacher, and my aunts run businesses and rescue animals. They don’t just sit around having tea.”
The sweetness in my mother’s smile as she looked down on him didn’t reach her eyes, which glittered with sharp irritation. She subdued it, but it was right there.
“How lovely,” she said, her voice like honey laced with arsenic. “That’s nice for them.”
I almost laughed, but not because it was funny. It was because Harrison’s hand tightened protectively on my shoulder, and for the first time all day, I felt like I could breathe.
Brody grinned up at her like he knew he’d won and Callum chuckled, glancing at his brother. “We should get going, bro. Hockey, remember?”
Harrison nodded, but his gaze came down to mine, silently checking in. I sighed, but I didn’t like messing with my mother. I never had. For years, I’d been the perfect pet, smiling when told, nodding at the right moments, and molding myself to fit whatever box she thought would shine best.
It felt good to finally have someone in my corner, someone who didn’t just support me in private, but who drew a line and held it. Finally, I nodded to let him know I was okay and squeezed his hand, leaning in close so only he could hear me.
“Everything’s in place for the party,” I whispered.
“All we have to do now is wait, and possibly bail me out if I get arrested for murder. You’ll do that for me, right?
If I wind up stabbing her with my heel before we’ve managed to buy all the stocking fillers ever invented in the whole wide world, ever? ”
Harrison met my eyes and smiled. “I promise.”