Chapter 30
thirty
. . .
Meghan
I tugged at my fitted blazer as I strode through the gleaming lobby of the Price Industries building. Beside me, Wick matched my brisk pace, his hand clasped firmly in mine.
“It’s going to be okay,” I murmured, giving his fingers a squeeze. “We’ve got this.”
Wick glanced down at me, clutching my hand in return. “We’ve got this.”
I gave him a strained smile. Wick wasn’t typically invited to board meetings—that privilege was reserved for the C-suite executives and major shareholders. So when he’d received the summons from my father, I knew something was up.
The elevator dinged, and we stepped inside, riding up to the top floor in tense silence. As the doors slid open, I squared my shoulders and lifted my chin, slipping into the polished, unflappable persona I’d spent years perfecting.
We entered the boardroom hand-in-hand, a united front. My eyes immediately sought out Emmett. He met my gaze, his expression neutral. Things had been awkward between us since he’d found out about my relationship with Wick and Marco.
“Meghan, Wick, please have a seat,” my father said. “Let’s call this meeting to order. Before we resume our regular programming, Laura would like to address an urgent matter.”
I slid into my usual chair. Wick took the seat beside me. Across the table, my mother’s lips thinned as she eyed our clasped hands. I resisted the urge to let go, to put distance between us. I was done hiding, done pretending to be someone I wasn’t.
“It has come to the board’s attention that there is a situation that needs to be addressed,” my mother began, her tone clipped and cold. “Namely, the highly inappropriate and unprofessional relationship between Wick Friedman and my daughter.”
Murmurs rippled through the room, curious glances darting between Wick and me. My cheeks flamed, but I refused to drop my gaze. “Mother, I don’t see how my personal life is any of the board’s concern,” I said evenly. “Wick and I have kept our relationship entirely separate from?—”
“Oh, spare me the platitudes, Meghan,” she snapped. “Do you have any idea the scandal this could bring down on Price Industries? On our family? Your behavior, it’s disgraceful.”
I bristled at her tone. Beside me, Wick tensed. But before either of us could respond, Emmett spoke up. “That’s enough, Mother. Private life is just that—private. And as for Wick, he has been nothing but professional and an asset to this company. I won’t sit here and listen to you disparage either of them.”
Shock rippled through me at Emmett’s words. After weeks of frosty silence and pointed barbs, I hadn’t expected him to come to our defense. Especially not against our mother .
“Sit up straight, Meghan. And for god’s sake, stop fidgeting.”
I froze, my fingers stilling on the delicate pearl buttons of my dress. Across the limo, my mother leveled me with a withering glare, her perfectly painted lips pursed in disapproval.
“Yes, Mother.” I folded my hands primly in my lap. At sixteen, I was already well-versed in the art of being seen and not heard, of molding myself into the perfect socialite daughter.
We were on our way to yet another charity gala, another opportunity for my mother to parade me around like a prized show pony. I’d spent hours getting ready, my hair coiffed and curled, my makeup meticulously applied. But it was never enough. There was always some flaw, some imperfection for her to pick apart.
“Remember, Meghan, appearances are everything,” she said. “You represent the Price family name. I won’t have you embarrassing us with any unseemly behavior.”
My throat tightened with unshed tears. “I understand, Mother.”
But I didn’t, not really. I didn’t understand why I had to be perfect all the time, why I couldn’t just be a normal teenager with normal teenage problems. I didn’t understand why my mother’s love and approval always dangled just out of reach, no matter how hard I tried.
As the limo pulled up to the glittering entrance of the gala, I straightened my spine and fixed a brilliant, empty smile on my face. The perfect daughter, the perfect doll. Hollow and dead inside.
I blinked away the stinging memories, focusing on the buzzing tension in the boardroom. My mother’s face was flushed with anger, her eyes flashing. “Emmett, you can’t possibly condone this deviant behavior,” she hissed. “I move to terminate Wick Friedman’s employment with Price Industries, effective immediately.”
Silence. Heavy and oppressive. I held my breath, my fingers tightening around Wick’s. This was it. The moment of truth.
Across the room, I heard, “Seconded.” I wasn’t sure from whom. I couldn’t breathe. This was really happening. My mother was trying to destroy my relationship and ruin Wick’s career in one fell swoop.
Conversation erupted in the room, discussing the matter at hand, only bits and pieces made their way past the roaring in my head.
The reputation of Price Industries is at stake.
Unnatural proclivities.
Appearances are everything.
Unseemly behavior.
“Let’s put it to a vote then.” My father’s tone was brusque as he shot apologetic glances toward me and Wick. Across the room, Emmett’s face was a mask of rage.
As a chorus of votes floated around us, I sat staring into the eyes of the man I loved, showing him the depth of my silent support.
Wick and I walked out of the boardroom hand in hand, unable to say a word. But someone broke the charged silence for us.
“Congrats on keeping your job, brother. ”
We turned, bracing ourselves for another confrontation. But to my surprise, Emmett pulled Wick into a fierce hug, clapping him on the back.
“Your mother is a bitch.”
Emmett snorted in agreement. “I’m sorry, man. For not having your back sooner, for letting my own hurt feelings cloud my judgment. You’re my best friend, and you deserve to be happy. Both of you do.”
Wick’s throat bobbed as he pulled back. He blinked rapidly. “Thanks, Emmett. That means a lot.”
Emmett turned to me. “And Meghan, I’m sorry for being such an ass. I should have trusted you, should have supported you from the beginning. Forgive me?”
I launched myself into his arms, hugging him with all my might. “There’s nothing to forgive,” I mumbled into his chest. “I’m just glad we’re okay now.”
We held each other for a long time, letting the hurt of the past few weeks melt away. When we finally pulled apart, Emmett’s eyes were dancing with mischief. “So, when do we get to double date? Is it still a double date? What do we call it? A penta-date? No way that’s a thing.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Wick said. “One major relationship milestone at a time, yeah?”
But he was smiling, his whole face glowing with relief and joy.