out to me, I wouldn’t have known the happiness I’ve had for the last twenty-five years with that silly boy who became my love and partner in life.”
I might’ve awwed with the rest of them if I hadn’t heard this story from Preston—who was a liar in every sense. I bet his parents can’t be in the same room as each other without trading barbs or thrown martini glasses. That silly boy spends all his time running secret lovers and his chosen bride weaves pretty romanticized tales of loving her married life, so the community doesn’t recognize the tradition her family started wasn’t good for her or any of us.
The doors flew open and Carter, Nathan, and Preston swept inside.
“I also wouldn’t have our wonderful, handsome son, Preston,” Mrs. Desai continued. The timing was so uncanny on that entrance, I wondered if they planned it.
“Preston, come and join me.”
Preston broke off from his friends, obeying her command. He’d changed his clothes and fixed his perfect hair, but as he climbed up in front of everyone, the mark I’d left on him shone angry under the lights.
I saw Rosalie’s eyes bug from halfway across the room. “Prest—!” She slapped her hand over the mic, heatedly whispering something to her son.
His nose had ballooned to twice its size.
He didn’t look so much like a mythical siren then.
Yes, he does, a bitter voice whispered. He looks cold, beautiful, and completely unaffected by what he did to me. He didn’t hesitate to stand up in front of everyone with a busted face because why shouldn’t he display his victory over me as a badge of honor?
My hands shook picking up my tea, putting me in danger of the hot treat dropping on my lap. I needed to get out of here. Mom and Dad would understand.
“Mom?” I reached for her under the table. “Mom, we have to go.”
“Go? Darling, please, we’ve discussed this.” She patted my hand and put it back on my lap. “We’re not going anywhere.”
“You don’t understand,” I said through gritted teeth. “Something happened. Carter Knight and Nathan Prince are here.”
She turned away, suddenly finding her napkin so interesting as she folded and refolded it. “I know.”
“You know? Oh my gosh. Did you know they would be here?”
“Darling, you refused to read the information packet with the participant list. I did not.” The dame’s nose rose higher and higher in the air. Primness was bleaching into her speech. She got like this whenever she did something wrong and was determined to pretend otherwise. “I took it out of the trash and put it on your desk twice.”
I put my cup down harder than necessary. “The third time I set it on fire and kicked the ashes in the pool.”
“Do not make a scene, dear.”
“I’m not making a scene. I’m asking my mom why she didn’t tell me two guys who made my life hell would be here tonight and be staying at the cove.”
“It doesn’t matter.” Mother’s nose was higher than ever. “Those two will mind their business this summer and you’ll mind yours. You won’t have anything to do with them.”
“They’ll be hard to avoid on a private island.” I kept my tone even with difficulty. “Mom, don’t you see now that I can’t go. You can’t hate me so much you’d force me to spend the summer being tortured by them.”
She dropped her chin, facing me. “It is precisely because we love you that we’re sending you to the cove. I’d never allow boys like that to get in the way of your future, and neither will you.”
“Mom—”
“That is enough, Belle. I’m tired of arguing about this. If you push the matter further, you’ll have your father to deal with.”
I shoved the chair back with a loud, ear-ringing screech. Flinging my napkin down, I turned my back on her and marched off.
“Belle? Belle? Belle!” She raised her voice to a light exclamation for most people, but a scream for the dame.
Our community may have thought this was the best way to ensure a strong pedigree and lasting wealth, but until last year, I thought my parents and I agreed they were a bunch of snobby twits.
I don’t know what to believe anymore. All I know is I’m still sore from Preston’s little game, and she wants me to believe those guys won’t come up with new, fun ways to get to me when we’re all trapped on the same island together.