I think that’s the first time I’ve ever said that to him.
I lead him through the crowd to the most beautiful girl in the room, and I wrap my arm around her from behind until she turns. “Ashley, this is my father, Robert.”
Her face falls in surprise. “Hello, lovely to meet you.” He kisses her on each cheek and smiles and then turns to take Natasha in his arms as he says hello to her. I glance around as the three of them make small talk.
Where is my mother?
Suddenly, I see her approach us through the crowd. Fuck it. I wanted to get her alone before she met Ashley.
“Cameron.” She smiles as she approaches and I wrap her in my arms.
I love my mother but I know she’s an acquired taste with zero tact.
She kisses Natasha and my father.
I smile. “I have someone I want you to meet.”
She turns in surprise.
“This is Ashley, my girlfriend.” I take Ashley’s hand in mine and my mother raises a brow.
“Girlfriend,” she repeats with surprise. “And when were you going to tell me this, Cameron?”
“I’m telling you now. Ashley, this is Margaret, my mother.”
My mother’s eyes drop to Ashley and she looks her up and down.
Ashley shrivels under her glare and I feel my protective instincts kick in.
“Hello, nice to meet you.” Ashley smiles.
Mother puts her hand out and shakes Ash’s hand with a fake smile. “Likewise.”
A frown crosses Ashley’s face and my father interjects, sensing my mother’s lack of manners.
“Ashley, what do you do for work?” he asks politely.
“I’m a final year med student,” she replies meekly as her eyes find mine across the group.
I smile and nod as my fury begins to rise.
I bend down. “A word, Mother,” I whisper in her ear as I pull her over to the wall.
“What is it?” she snaps.
“What was with that greeting to Ashley?” I snap.
She frowns in disgust. “You introduce someone to me as your girlfriend and expect me to play happy families? Forget it. How dare you not tell me you were seeing someone? It’s the height of rudeness. I should know everything that is going on with you.” She sneers.
“Let me make something very clear to you: Ashley is important to me and you will be fucking nice to her.”
“I’ll do nothing of the sort. She looks cheap. Where did you meet her? In a trailer park?” She looks around the room to escape my penetrating glare.
“Listen here… I mean it. You better behave yourself.” I growl.
Joshua walks over and my mother smiles and kisses him. “Oh, Joshua, talk to your brother. He’s picked up God knows who.”
Joshua rolls his eyes. “Cut the shit, Mom. Ashley’s nice.”
“You don’t even fucking know her.” I sneer. I swear to God, if she’s rude one more time, I’m going to lose it.
“Mind your language, Cameron,” she snaps. “How long have you known her?”
“I met her years ago and we lost touch. She’s only just came back to me.”
She smiles slyly. “Well, let’s just see how long she lasts, shall we?” She walks back through the crowd to Ashley. “We do know your track record with women.”
Joshua rolls his eyes.
“I swear to God, if she ruins Ashley’s night, it’s fucking go time.”
Joshua smirks. “Look at you getting all protective.”
I clench my jaw as I watch my mother’s fangs come out as she talks to Ashley across the room.
“You really like her don’t you?” he asks.
I nod once. I don’t even know how to verbalize how I feel about her.
He pats me on the shoulder. “This could be it, mate.”
I raise a sarcastic brow.
“Maybe she’s the one.” He smirks sarcastically.
“Fuck off, will you?” I reply flatly. He walks back to the group and I stand and watch them all talk.
She’s the one, alright. I knew it five years ago.
I know it more than ever now.
The night has been fun, but it’s coming to an end. Ashley, Natasha, and Adrian are dancing and laughing like they have known each other forever. I stand and watch them from my spot near the bar.
“You can’t take your eyes off her, can you?” Joshua asks.
“Hardly.”
“She’s beautiful.”
“I know.” I smile as I sip my drink.
He watches her for a moment. “It’s a weird feeling, isn’t it?”
I nod, knowing that he knows exactly how I’m feeling.
He’s obsessed with Natasha and always has been.
“How can you be with so many women and feel nothing, only to then meet one woman who makes you feel everything?” I ask.
“I don’t know.” He thinks for a moment.
“Wait