Chapter 25
I wasa few steps away from officially meeting Brett’s mother and felt cheap. It was a mistake to have sex with Brett on the car ride here. The guilt of what we just did coursed through my bones, and the stickiness between my thighs was a poor complement to my attire. Obviously, the sex was amazing; it always was with Brett. Each time topped the previous one like our bodies knew what the others needed and never failed. What bothered me most was we were in the midst of a serious conversation about our relationship goals. The focus seemed to get swept under the carpet because Brett liked keeping things light, and I wasn’t going to lie that I welcomed his airy energy most of the time. But we needed to settle certain things before either fell too hard, which was probably too late already.
I kept smoothing the front of my dress out of nerves while Brett’s confident grip on my hand steered us throughout the grand hall, filled with throngs of people in his industry. Servers carried champagne flutes held high over their heads, and others passed by us with finger foods. The aroma spilling off the trays of fried finger foods set my stomach into a growl. I hoped Brett would take the hint, but instead, he went for the alcohol and passed me a flute of bubbly champagne.
“We’re at table seven,” said Brett, weaving us through countless other couples dressed to the nines.
“Lucky number seven,” I snorted, downing the champagne in one hefty gulp. I placed the empty glass onto an abandoned tray before we took our seats at our empty table. Like a true gentleman, Brett pulled my chair out first, and I sat like a good girl. He promptly joined me and draped his arm behind my chair.
“So, what do you think?” Brett asked, popping his eyebrows.
“So far, so good?” I shrugged. “Who am I meeting tonight?” I leaned toward Brett’s ear, shouting over the ample chatter in the room.
“My parents and Bridgette are coming tonight.” He placed a warm hand on my chilly thigh, squeezing it, making me press my legs together. “This is really an amazing dress.” Brett’s eyes drank in my appearance as heat flooded my cheeks.
I smiled coyly at Brett. ”Thank you,” I replied, my voice barely audible above the lively buzz of the room. ”I wanted to make a good impression.”
Brett”s hand lingered on my skin, his touch comforting and arousing. The conflicting emotions within me intensified as he closed the space between us. ”You always make a good impression.” His warm breath tickled my ear.
As I glanced around the room, my heart raced with anxiety. Meeting Brett”s parents was an important step in our relationship, but our differences threatened to make me crumble. Would they judge me for being a single mother? Would they question our compatibility?
Lost in my thoughts, I barely noticed when Brett”s mother, Natalie, approached our table. Her presence was imposing, perfectly coiffed fake blonde hair shining under the dim lights. She wore a tailored light green dress, exuding elegance and grace. Next to her was Brett”s father, a distinguished man with lines etched deeply into his face, revealing a lifetime of experience.
Natalie”s gaze flickered between Brett and me, her eyes narrowing slightly. ”Brett, honey,” she said in a tone of curiosity and skepticism. ”Introduce us officially to your... companion.”
Brett rolled his eyes and tossed his unused napkin onto the table, scooting back with a screech. “Very funny. You know who Julia is from the market.”
My stomach lurched because this was the last fucking funny thing. This was going to be awful. Where was the bar, and where was Bridgette? My eyes frantically scanned the room until I found her at the long, sleek bar, chatting up a handsome, bored-looking man with a buzz cut in a fitted navy suit. Before I knew what had happened, Brett’s hand snaked under my arm, pulling me from my chair and twisting me to face his parents.
“This is Julia, my girlfriend.” Brett presented me like an A5 Tomahawk steak.
“It’s so nice to finally meet you both.” I threw off a weak smile and offered my hand to Brett’s mother first, but when she looked at my gesture like the plague was dripping from my fingers, I shifted my attention to his father. Luckily, he was much nicer, and his large, warm hand engulfed mine.
“It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Glen.” Light flooded his kind, dark eyes that focused solely on my face.
”It”s a pleasure to meet you, Glen,” I replied, relieved by his warm reception. As I shook his hand, I couldn”t help but notice the strong resemblance between Brett and his father. They shared the same piercing hazel eyes and confident smile that drew me to Brett.
Natalie, on the other hand, continued to glare at me. Her disapproval was palpable, making me feel even more self-conscious. The skepticism radiating off her ran thick and intensified my anxiety about how she perceived me.
Before I could gather my thoughts, Bridgette swooped in like a breath of fresh air, her infectious laughter glowing throughout the room. She greeted Brett”s parents with a warm hug and an air kiss on each cheek.
”Aunt Natalie, Uncle Glen, it”s been too long!” Bridgette exclaimed, her vibrant energy filling the space between us. ”And Julia, you look absolutely stunning tonight!” Her eyes beamed, and I knew Bridgette and I would always be friends.
“Oh, you know each other?” Natalie motioned between me and Bridgette. “It seems like Brett has introduced you to everyone except us.”
“Well, you have met her before, Mom,” said Brett, clapping his hands against his powerful thighs.
“I don’t count watching you flirt with a customer as a form of a proper introduction,” Natalie snapped.
And that was when I really started to dislike this woman and decided I’d never frequent Stelvio’s again. I caught Brett squeezing his temples and Glen wincing. Bridgette stood there glaring at her aunt, while Natalie didn’t care about anyone’s reaction.
Natalie pivoted from our small circle, locked eyes with a colleague from across the room, raised her hand to flag them down, and plastered a fake smile, waltzing away from us.
“I promise you’ll end up liking her,” said Glen, staring at his wife’s back across the room while she laughed. “Brett is her baby.” His large hand smacked Brett’s shoulder, knocking him forward.
Everyone offered a nervous grin except for me because I didn’t find any of this funny. I was at the point in my life where I didn’t want to deal with impressing someone or attempting to live up to unattainable standards. I already had a full life and experienced disappointments beyond what I was prepared for. However, another thought hit me as I gazed at Brett and saw him watching me, hoping I’d stick around for the rest of the evening despite his mother’s cold shoulder. He was worth it, but that didn’t mean I had to stay tied to this circle right now.
“Julia, want to come grab a drink at the bar?” Bridgette asked, already looping her arm through mine. “We’ll be right back, boys,” she called over her shoulder.
I nodded eagerly and allowed Bridgette to lead me through the maze of tables toward the bar. The clamor of voices and clinking glasses grew louder as we made our way through the crowd, and I found solace in the anonymity of the bustling room.
As Bridgette ordered our drinks, I leaned against the sleek bar, taking a moment to collect my thoughts. Natalie”s disapproval lingered in my mind, but Brett”s warm gaze gave me hope. He had already proven to be understanding and supportive. I was determined not to let his mother”s judgment cloud what we had.
Bridgette handed me a glass filled with a sparkling pink cocktail and raised her own in a toast. ”To new adventures,” she said with a mischievous grin.
”To new adventures,” I repeated, clinking our glasses. As I took a sip, the fruity flavors danced on my tongue, momentarily distracting me from the nagging worries that had plagued me moments before. I momentarily caught Bridgette’s silhouette, admiring the elegant yet edgy beauty she exuded. I must have gawked a second too long because she caught me.
“What?” Bridgette’s mouth fought a grin.
“You really should date. I swear, I’m not a lesbian, but you really are gorgeous.”
She snorted. “The only man I’m interested in getting is standing at the other end of the room.” Bridgette pointed to the sexy buzz-cut man I spotted her speaking to earlier. He looked pissed.
“Have you been seeing each other?” My tone perked up, suddenly happy for Bridgette.
Her twisted face said otherwise. “Ew, not sexually. I want his business. He’s one of the biggest developers in the city. He will need an interior designer for all those spaces, and this gal is trying to land that position.”
“Wow, look at you.” I nodded, impressed. “What’s his name?”
“Martin Dann,” Bridgette said instantly.
“Ha. They say you can never trust someone with two first names.” I shot another glance at Mr. Dann. He was pure, walking power and sex combined into an explosive package.
“Yeah, and he’s one of the most miserable pricks I’ve ever spoken to. So, we’ll see.” Bridgette took another sip of her drink before placing it on the bar. “How are you holding up? I hope my aunt hasn’t scared you away.” She placed a gentle hand on my arm.
“I’ll be fine. I’ve dealt with worse.” I waved my hand in the air. “I mean, what should I expect? Brett has never brought a girl around his parents, and with me being the first one, I’m sure his mother had different expectations for her son. I’ve met Natalie at their market before and let it spill that I have daughters, so yeah. I’m older and with baggage.” As I spoke, I stared off into the crowd, and when my eyes moved back to Bridgette’s face, something was off. It was like she wanted to say something but was holding back, making my stomach turn.
“How are my favorite girls doing?” said Brett from behind. He slung his arms around our shoulders, pulling us into his cocoon.
“Julia reminded me she’s the first girl you’ve ever brought around your mom.” Bridgette’s tone suggested otherwise, and that queasy feeling festered in my gut.
Brett clicked his jaw, almost glaring at his cousin, but quickly shook it off. “Come on, they’re going to start the dinner.”
Brett walked back to the table, his hand still resting on my shoulder as if to provide a shield against Natalie”s disapproval. Natalie”s icy gaze met mine as we approached, and a surge of defiance rose within. I was not going to let her win.
“Who wants to sit next to me?” asked Natalie, eyeing Brett.
“I will,” I chimed in, smiling. I slid into the seat next to Natalie as the rest of the table barely breathed by my decision. Her lips tightened into a thin line, but she didn”t protest. Brett quickly occupied the seat next to me while Glen sat on the other side of Natalie. Bridgette situated herself next to Brett while other faceless guests took their places.
The first course arriveda salad with vibrant greens and a citrus vinaigrette. I took a bite, savoring the tangy dressing and the freshness of the vegetables. As I chewed, Natalie”s eyes burned into my skin as if I were a potential threat. I tried not to let it bother me, but it was a struggle.
“So, Julia. You have two daughters, correct?” Natalie finally spoke.
Of course, she caught me mid-chew. “Yes. Twin girls, Zoe and Sara. They’re twelve.”
“And they’re soccer stars,” Brett interjected, throwing a wink at me, sending a warmth to my heart.
I chuckled and nodded, swallowing lettuce. ”Yeah, they”re quite the athletes. They keep me on my toes, that”s for sure.”
“It sounds like you’re juggling a lot. It must be hard to always spread yourself out so thin.” Natalie’s icy tone started going down my spine, spreading in my stomach to officially kill my appetite.
“Julia is the queen at multitasking. I’ve never met anyone like her before,” said Brett, squeezing my leg with his hand under the table, but for the first time, it did nothing for me. He was trying to save me from his mother.
I mustered a smile, but there was no denying the unease that settled within me. Natalie”s subtle jabs and disapproving undertones were becoming harder to ignore. ”Yes, it can be challenging at times,” I replied, my voice steady despite the turmoil brewing within. ”But I”ve learned to adapt and prioritize. My girls are my top priority, followed by everything else.”
“By everything else, Julia obviously means me,” said Brett, flashing a smile that would usually dazzle me. However, I couldn’t help but feel like I was being set up for something bigger.
“You know, I have to say,” Natalie began before popping a red cherry tomato into her mouth. “I never thought I’d see the day again where my son was smitten with another woman after Libby.”
And there it was. Forks clanked onto half-empty plates, and frightened looks from Brett’s family shot across the table. My darting eyes found Bridgette’s downcast expression, which she held back at the bar. The secret Brett hoped to never tell. There was someone before me. Not that it mattered if he loved another woman, but he lied about it to me.
A heavy silence hung in the air as Natalie”s words echoed in my ears. The room seemed to spin a little, and I had to steady myself by gripping the table”s edge. Brett”s hand tightened around my leg, but a weight held me back this time. My heart pounded, and a mixture of anger and hurt surged in my body.
I turned to face Brett, searching his eyes for an explanation. His gaze wavered momentarily before he finally met mine, filled with regret. It was a betrayal I hadn”t seen coming, cutting me deep. The trust I had built with him shattered with those few simple words.
“I’m sorry. Who’s Libby?” I asked everyone weakly.
“Just an ex-girlfriend,” Brett interjected.
“Just an ex-girlfriend?” Natalie repeated. “You almost proposed to her.”
“Oh shit,” Bridgette mumbled, while Glen dropped his head.
“You never mentioned her,” I said to Brett, my stomach flipping, my heart thumping in my ears. “But you must have had a good reason for never saying anything.” My eyes landed everywhere but Brett’s face because I couldn’t stomach seeing his expression. Between my stomach churning and my heart twisting in its cavity, I was unsure how much longer I’d be able to sit at this table.
“Libby and Brett dated for at least twelve months, and unfortunately, it didn’t work out, but they made the cutest pair. They looked so right together.”
“Looks aren’t everything, Mother,” Brett snapped. I had never heard him sound this way, so angry. “We weren’t a good fit.” He shifted his gaze to me. “We were never meant to be.”
But why did you lie then, fucker? Instead, I forced out the tiniest grin.
“Well, you really fooled everyone,” said Natalie, popping another cherry tomato into her mouth. “Seriously. When Brett came home that day, everyone thought he was going to announce that he was going to ask Libby to marry her. No one expected him to say the opposite.”
“I broke up with her that day,” Brett admitted coldly.
“She’s still single, you know. Hasn’t found the one.” Natalie spoke directly to Brett, popping her bony shoulders.
This was too much. I already knew his mother wouldn’t be my biggest fan, but to have to sit here and listen about Brett’s clandestine, super serious relationship he conveniently hid from me? Well, I was too old for this shit. I pushed back my chair from the table, creating a heavy screech, and stood. Brett and Glen instantly shot up from their seats out of gentlemanly habit.
“I’m going to the ladies room,” I said through gritted teeth to Brett, smiling and nodding to the rest of the table before escaping.
I took deep breaths in the bathroom, trying to calm my racing thoughts and anger. I splashed some water on my face, trying to regain my composure. What the fuck was that? Why would he keep something like that from me? We”d only been dating for a few months, but we”d talked about our past relationships. He”d never mentioned something so significant. I couldn”t believe I”d been lied to. I felt foolish and naive. After what seemed like an eternity, and with all my makeup washed from my face, I left the bathroom, only to walk smack dab into the center of Brett’s broad chest.
“Ow! What the fuck, Brett?” I touched my bruised nose.
He winced and bent down to assess the damage. “Are you okay? Where did all your makeup go?”
“Fuck the makeup, Brett. What the fuck? How could you lie to me about what’s her name?” Of course, I knew the name, but I didn’t dare say it.
“Julia, let me explain.” He frowned, reaching for me, but I flinched when his fingertips touched my bare arm.
“You lied.” I glared and crossed my arms, fighting the urge to slap his pretty face.
“Yes, I did. And I should have never done that to you, but you have to understand what happened between me and Libby is something I wanted to forget. So, I literally don’t talk about it.”
“That’s not good enough. I was honest with you. I deserve the same.”
“You’re right, you do. You absolutely do, and I promise I’ll explain everything.” He stepped closer, invading my personal space, but I didn’t stop him. And I didn’t stop Brett when his large hands enclosed around mine, kissing my knuckles.
“How come you didn’t tell me?” My eyes pleaded for the truth. It was what I needed.
Brett sighed, defeated. “That whole relationship was based on me making my mom happy. Libby looked good on paper; it made my mom happy because she loved Libby. She was the perfect image in my mom’s head for me. Came from a good family, virginal looking, blah blah blah…” Brett trailed off, rolling his eyes. “I was always the kind of guy who thought if it’s easy and everyone is happy, I might as well do it. That’s what my relationship with Libby represented. And one day, I realized I was bored out of my mind. It wasn’t the relationship for me; she wasn’t the woman for me, and I misled everyone. And then I dropped the bomb that I was breaking up with Libby. Everyone was shocked. Everyone was crying.”
“Your mother cried over the breakup?” A sour taste traveled up my throat, settling on my tongue.
“It was awful. After that, I swore off relationships and thought I’d fuck around the rest of my life.” Brett’s hands traveled up my exposed arms, igniting goosebumps along my skin. “Then I met you. And just like that, everything changed.”
His words started to cool the fire coursing through my bones, but I wasn’t there yet. This would take a little time to get over. “So, you didn’t want to tell me about Libby because you were embarrassed?”
Brett nodded, his eyes never leaving mine. ”Yes. I didn”t want you to think I was lying or trying to make you happy like I did with my mom. I wanted us to be together for the right reasons, but it took me a while to realize what that meant. I didn’t want you to think like I was some people-pleaser. I like to keep things light and easy when I can. And it almost caused me to end up with someone I didn’t truly love.” He paused, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “I never felt the way I did about Libby, the way I feel about you, and we’ve only been together about six months. But there’s no excuse for me lying to you, and I promise this is the one secret I had kept from you.”
I was about to say something, but Brett held up a hand.
“And I know you were extremely honest with me about your past and everything having to do with you. You opened yourself up to let me in, and I’ve never been so happy that you did because here we are now.” Brett pressed his forehead against mine, his warmth seeping into my skin.
“Let’s get through the rest of this meal and then go home. What do you say?” He cupped my face, brushing his soft lips against mine.
“I want to go home. Now.”
“Okay, fair enough.” Brett nodded. “Let’s at least say goodbye.”
“Fine. And you’re not staying over tonight.” I pointed a finger an inch from his eye.
“Why not?” Brett squeezed my hand.
“Are you serious right now?”
“Okay, okay.” He backed off quickly but never let go of my fingers.
“Oh, wait. Let me put my face back on.” I stopped abruptly and pivoted toward the bathroom when Brett stopped me.
“You don’t need any makeup.” Brett’s hulking body blocked me from moving. “You look beautiful.”