Lured into Love (Blossom in Winter #2) - Melanie Martins Page 0,126

poking him on the shoulder. And as he turns, I recognize him from the photographs. He hasn’t aged much, actually, and even his smile remains just the same. “This is Petra Van Gatt, the friend that I told you about.”

“Mr. Bradford, it’s a pleasure meeting you,” I say, unsure how I should greet him.

To my surprise, he eagerly shakes my hand, full of admiration, it seems. “Please just call me Eric. What a pleasure to finally meet you, Petra.” Eric seems way nicer in person than in the photos. “After showing such warm hospitality toward my son, I obviously had to invite you both over in return.”

“It’s always a pleasure having Matthew with us,” my dad points out.

A bit embarrassed at so much attention, I just smile at Eric in return, anxiously waiting for all the gazes on me to go away. Fortunately, Eric notices and breaks our odd silence. “You are also going to the Hamptons this weekend, right?”

“The Hamptons?” Dad asks, feigning his surprise.

“Matt is turning twenty on Saturday.” Eric wraps an arm around his son’s shoulders as he smiles at him full of pride. “So he invited his closest friends to our beach house,” he says directly to my dad.

“Oh, that’s a great idea.” It’s impressive how Dad can fake the excitement in his tone and smile so smoothly. “Why didn’t you tell me about that?”

As I think of an answer, Matthew takes over. “Petra declined my invitation to join us.” What? I can’t believe Matthew just said it out loud in front of my dad, his dad, and everyone else! My cheeks blossom with heat at the embarrassment, and I squint my eyes at him, trying my best not to kill him.

“Why on earth would you decline? Go to the Hamptons for the weekend. It’s your friend’s birthday after all.”

How pathetic is he? Just a year ago, Dad considered boys nothing more than a stupid and useless distraction, and now he’s playing matchmaker? Of course, Matthew Bradford is the perfect fit for me, according to him. After all, we are both studying economics, Mom likes him a lot, and his father is none other than the current attorney general of the state of New York. How convenient for Dad if only I would fall in love with Matthew and forget my fiancé. And as I look at him drinking his champagne and engaging in futile talks with Eric, I remain astounded by the swift change of his views toward the opposite gender when it comes to me.

I had other plans for the weekend, Dad, I think, but instead I say, “Sure, it’ll be great.” I know I’m not in a position to negotiate. It was obvious that my chances to go over to Emma’s this weekend were close to none. In any case, I will just send my live location to Alex from my new phone, and we will leave this pathetic charade behind once and for all.

Chapter 32

Manhattan, October 23, 2020

Petra Van Gatt

As I finish preparing my backpack, my heart can’t stop thundering in apprehension for tonight. Alex instructed me to pack summer clothes, which means we are most likely leaving the state of New York. And hopefully tonight, we will finally be together and leave this whole nightmare behind. I decide not to inquire to Dad or Mom about the bodyguards. If they can just stay here on Park Avenue, all the better. It’s a risky move, but the wisest. Once Matthew is waiting downstairs, I take my backpack and head out of my room. But before leaving, I take one last look around at the bedroom I spent my whole life in. After all, I have no idea if I’ll ever return here. It’s a horrible feeling, since I have so many dresses here that are truly dear to me, including the white dress I brought to Aspen, the red one I wore in Rome, and the one I wore to my engagement party, and my heart tightens at the idea of leaving them behind. Even though I have no space left in my backpack, I think twice about taking them. Maybe I should take a suitcase instead. No, my parents will find it suspicious if I take a big suitcase for only two nights. Glancing at my watch, I’m sure Matthew can wait an extra minute or two, so I go back into the closet, grab those three dresses, remove some of the clothes from my bag, and shove them in. Then,