Love Triangle Six Books of Torn Desire - Willow Winters Page 0,401

being much more sensual and endearing. “Thank you.” He pulls my chair out for me and I take my seat.

“Pleasure to see you, Mrs. Bradford.” I reach for the sparkling water in front of me.

“You, too, Brooklyn dear,” she replies with a touch of superiority.

During my relationship with Wes, I’ve come to expect this from her. By the lack of any offer of congratulations, I’m confident his mother isn’t thrilled with the idea of him marrying me, a girl from Somerville, a middle-class town she probably considers to be the slums. While my father has a noble profession as a Boston firefighter, one he still enjoys, it isn’t exactly a high-income job. Yes, he does well for himself, but it isn’t even close to the same level the Bradfords are accustomed to.

As much as Mrs. Bradford has tried to mask her distaste, it hasn’t worked. I’m certain she’d rather Wes date any of the women she’s paraded in front of us when we’ve attended one of the myriad of charity dinners together. Such as the subtle hints that Scarlett rowed during college, like Wes. Or that Deborah enjoys the Museum of Modern Art where Wes is a high-level donor. Or that Caroline is an avid runner, like Wes. He may not have noticed what his mother was trying to do, but I did. It must be eating her up that he proposed to a woman who doesn’t come from among the country’s wealthiest families.

“I understand the ring didn’t fit. Such a pity.”

I grit a smile, smoothing my skirt. Wes grabs my hand and my eyes float to his. Without saying a word, he lets me know that she doesn’t matter, that nothing she says can make him feel anything less than the unequivocal adoration he’s bestowed on me since our first date. And that look, that compassion, that love makes me feel even worse about what almost happened between Drew and me a few hours earlier.

Knowing he’d be there, I went to that rink to clear the air between us…to stop thinking about him. But since leaving him, he’s all I think about. Not Wes. Not the thought I’ll soon be marrying the man of my dreams. It’s all Drew and how a part of me wishes we hadn’t been interrupted by a group of rowdy kids.

“I dropped it off at the jewelers on the way here,” Wes declares with authority. “It will be ready in plenty of time for the engagement photos.”

“Engagement photos?” I furrow my brow, my mouth feeling drier than the Sahara. I reach for my glass and take a large gulp of water, nearly finishing it.

“Of course, dear,” Mrs. Bradford says. “I’ve called in a few favors and was able to book the premier photographer in New England, if not the country, to take your photos one week from today.”

“One week?” My eyes widen and I swallow hard, my lungs struggling to get a full breath of air. It’s one thing to have agreed to Wes’ proposal. I thought we’d have a long engagement, time to get used to the idea of spending the rest of our lives together. “Isn’t that premature? We haven’t even discussed a date, let alone where we want to get married. Shouldn’t we have that taken care of before we announce our engagement?”

Mrs. Bradford reaches into her oversized purse and withdraws a large planner with Post-it notes sticking out from the pages, placing it on the table in front of her. “Wes has provided me with a copy of your schedule when you begin your PhD program this fall.”

“And?” I straighten my back, a heat building on my face, my defenses kicking in.

“The curriculum looks to be extensive. Do you intend to work, as well?” She arches a superior brow.

“Of course I do.”

“Then it’s settled. I’ve spoken to the woman in charge of events here and she can fit us in August twenty-fifth, since Wes has insisted the wedding be up north instead of back home in Georgia. Lord knows why. A southern wedding is much more charming. Everything southern is much more charming, if you ask me.”

“Mother…” Wes’ voice is a warning. His hand finds my thigh and squeezes, trying to comfort me, but all I hear is August twenty-fifth…

Five months.

But that’s not the worst. It’s that date. It’s stupid, considering it’s been nearly seventeen years, but I’ll remember that date for the rest of my life—the date I gave Drew my first kiss. The date he gave me so