“It is quite lovely.” Jasper placed his hand on the small of my back. “Let me introduce you to my wife. Eloise, these are my parents, Davis and Blair Vale.”
“Such a pleasure.” Davis’s smile seemed genuine as he took my hand, patting it gingerly.
Then Blair moved in, pressing her cheek to each of mine, just like Jasper had done when he’d told her hello.
Keep smiling. Just keep smiling.
Both seemed sincere, yet at the same time, I was watching some rehearsed play. The lines and actions written were executed with precision. Except it lacked any semblance of emotion.
“How are things in Montana?” Davis asked Jasper.
Oh, so they did know where their son was living.
“They’re going well, thank you,” Jasper said. “How have you both been?”
“Excellent.” Davis smiled and those same crinkles as Jasper’s formed at his eyes, though Davis’s were deeper.
“Well, not entirely excellent.” Blair tsked. “I don’t know if Samantha told you or not, I know you two keep up with each other, but we had to put down Lucky last month. It’s been difficult.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Mom.” Jasper took my hand again. “Lucky was Mom’s Pomeranian.”
“I’m sorry.” Somehow, I’d been sucked into this weird vortex because I sounded as cold and detached as the rest of them. So I took a long sip of champagne. Alcohol, save me. Tonight, I was going to need it.
“The ceremony was breathtaking,” Mom said. “Sam looks as beautiful as ever.”
Maybe another woman would have infused that statement with some bite. A little malice for the new daughter-in-law to know she’d never live up to the previous one. Except it was just . . . a statement. No malice. No ill intent.
These fucking people.
I took another drink.
“Are you staying long?” Davis asked.
Jasper shook his head. “Not long.”
“We’ll be leaving after brunch tomorrow. We’ve got to get back. But you’re welcome to join us in the morning.”
That wasn’t really an invitation. It was more like they’d made a reservation for too many people and had a couple of spots to fill.
“We’d love to,” Jasper said.
No, we wouldn’t.
His thumb traced along the length of mine. “We’re going to find our seats.”
Davis pointed across the room toward one of the tables close to an archway. “I believe we’re at the same table.”
Super. I smiled wider before a snarky comment could escape.
“We’ll join you.” Blair looped her arm through her husband’s. “Eloise. What a beautiful name.”
“Thanks.” I almost told her I was named after my great-great-grandmother, but as I took in her pretty face, I realized that she wouldn’t care. That detail would go in one diamond-adorned ear and out the other.
Blair had already moved on to the other people in the room, her gaze sweeping back and forth through the room. She smiled at someone, lifting a hand to wave.
A short, bald man approached and Davis stopped to shake his hand.
The way both he and Blair shifted, turning their backs to Jasper because someone better had come along, made me scoff.
I gulped my champagne this time.
Jasper just kept on walking, leading me to our table, where he pulled out my seat before taking his own.
When I downed the rest of my champagne, he traded my empty glass for his nearly full one.
I drank it as I stared at his parents. We’d already been forgotten, hadn’t we? Jasper had already been dismissed. Rage vibrated through every cell in my body as I watched Davis and Blair laugh with that bald man.
“I didn’t understand,” I whispered.
“I know, angel.” Jasper draped his arm around the back of my chair. When he’d taken his seat, he’d moved in so close that our thighs were touching.
So I leaned into him, my gaze locked on his parents as I struggled to comprehend what I was seeing.
“That’s their on switch,” I said, more to myself than Jasper.
He hummed his agreement.
And Jasper and I had gotten the off switch. Sure, they’d spoken the right words. They’d used the correct mannerisms. But that entire encounter had been utterly shallow. Devoid of any actual love for their son.
When it came to Jasper, they were detached. Disinterested. That was the word he’d used. It fit perfectly. They saved their energy for everyone else.
It was more abrupt than I could have ever expected. More obvious.
My lip curled. My hands balled into fists. “I hate them.”
A waiter appeared, his tray loaded with champagne. “Another glass, sir?” he asked, his English heavily accented.
“Yes,” I answered for Jasper. “Actually, no. If I get drunk, I’ll say something mean. But I guess they probably wouldn’t even care, so why not get drunk? I doubt they’ll even remember my name by morning.”
The guy looked to Jasper, his eyes wide.
“Yes, please.” Jasper gestured for him to set down two fresh flutes.
With our empty glasses swept off the table, the waiter vanished into the growing crowd.
Davis and Blair continued to visit, more people joining them and the bald man.
No wonder Jasper was so closed off. How many times had he been gently rejected like that? How many times had he witnessed his parents fawn and fuss over anyone but him?
Fuck you, Davis and Blair. Fuck you very much.
I tore my gaze away, turning to Jasper.
His eyes were waiting. “Hi.”
“Hi.” God, I wanted to cry. I wanted to scream.
He was so wonderful. So special. And his parents . . .
They didn’t even care.
My nose started to sting. A lump in my throat began to choke me. But I refused to cry, not here. Not tonight.
So I leaned in, pressing my lips to his, hoping he could feel my love. Wishing it would seep into his heart so that when he looked in the mirror, he saw a man who deserved it.
When I pulled away, his eyes searched mine. His hand came to my hair, taking a lock and letting it slip through his fingers. “Good?”
Not even a little bit. “Good.” I took hold of his arm, hugging it as my head fell to his shoulder.
Then I glanced around the ballroom, looking everywhere but at his parents.
The swish of a white gown caught my eye. The room erupted in cheers and clapping as the bride and groom swept into the room.
My heart lurched.
Samantha.
She was gorgeous. Her hair was about as long as mine, curled in perfect waves of honey and wheat. She was tall and slim with curvy breasts. Of course she’d be the most beautiful woman in any room, especially this one. I’d expected nothing less, but the fact that she was flawless burned. Oh God, it burned.
Jasper and Samantha would have looked perfect together. His dark to her light.
Be tough.
I’d promised myself weeks ago that no matter what happened here tonight, I’d be tough. That I wouldn’t let my feelings show, not in front of these people.
So I smiled, feigning happiness for the newlywed couple.
Jasper’s hand came to my leg, squeezing my knee.
So like I did with his parents, I dismissed the bride and concentrated wholly on my husband, pressing a kiss to his cheek.