“I’m not in love, Kristen. I need to love myself and the person I am before I can love another.”
“Well, I love you for the person you are and you can’t tell me otherwise.”
I looked over at her with a small smile. “I love you too.”
“I have a feeling Mr. Westbrook is going to get his heart broken.”
I didn’t reply to her comment. After my makeup was applied, I curled the ends of my hair and pinned my sides back into an elegant style. Slipping into my dress, I stared at myself in the mirror.
“You look sexy.” Kristen smiled. “I hope you have matching panties on underneath that dress.
“I do.” I winked.
“Oh, by the way, Noah and I mailed out the invitations today and I posted a ‘save the date’ on Facebook. I apologized to everyone for the short notice, but time isn’t exactly on my side.”
I hated when she said things like that and a sick feeling emerged in the pit of my stomach.
“Everyone will be there, and it’s going to be fabulous.”
“I’m going to head out before Drew gets here.” She kissed my cheek. “Have fun tonight and I want all the details in the morning. That’s if you and Drew can manage to drag yourselves out of bed.”
I laughed. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Just as she was about to leave, I heard Drew’s voice. As I walked into the living room, he stopped talking to Kristen and stared at me with a smile splayed across his face.
“Wow. You look gorgeous.”
“Thanks. So do you.” I smiled. “Look at that tux.” I walked over and placed my hand on his chest.
“Are you ready?”
“I am. Just let me grab my purse.”
“My mom called today and asked me over for a dinner tomorrow. I would love for you to come with me. I mentioned you to her.”
“What did you say?”
“I just told her that I met a beautiful woman and I would like them to meet you.”
“Parents. That’s a big step.” I grinned.
“Nah. They’re cool. Don’t think of them as my parents. Just think of them as people I know.”
“Okay. A barbeque sounds great. I’d love to go with you.”
****
“Wow, look at this turnout,” I spoke as we walked arm in arm into the Bank Ballroom.
“Connor’s events are always successful.”
As a waiter walked by holding a tray of champagne, Drew grabbed two glasses and handed me one. We mixed and mingled with his business associates and friends.
“I’m going to go find the restroom,” I spoke as I placed my hand on Drew’s arm.
“Okay. I’ll wait right here.”
Giving him a smile, I made my way to the bathroom. As I was sitting in the stall, the bathroom door opened and I froze when I heard a familiar voice. No. It couldn’t be. I sat there, literally shaking with my heart pounding out of my chest as I listened to the two women have a conversation. My breathing had become restricted while I sat there waiting for them to leave. After I heard the door open and then close again, the bathroom became silent. Quickly leaving the stall, I washed my hands and slowly opened the bathroom door. I needed to get out of here and fast. I had no time to tell Drew I was leaving as I made a beeline down the hallway and through the ballroom as quickly as I could. There was a crowd of people gathered around listening to Connor’s speech. If I could just get past them unnoticed, everything would be okay. My legs were shaking and I couldn’t seem to get a hold of myself. I was almost across the room where the exit doors were located when I accidentally bumped into a man.
“Oh, excuse me, young—Jillian?” His eyes widened.
I swallowed hard. “Daddy.”
He grabbed hold of my arm to prevent me from taking another step.
“My God. Have you been in New York all this time?”
“Let me go, Daddy.” Tears started to fill my eyes. “Please, if you ever loved me, you’ll let me go.”
“There is no way I’m letting you go. What the hell happened to you?”
“There you are, dar—” My mother stopped mid-word as her eyes popped out of her head. “Jillian?”
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
“You have some serious explaining to do, young lady!” Her voice grew loud.
This was it. I knew one day this moment would come, but I didn’t think it would be so soon. I needed to collect my thoughts and, for the first time in my life, stand up to my parents. I was a twenty-four-year-old woman with her own life and I needed to act like one. As much as I wanted to run out of the room, I would face them as an adult.
“What’s going on here?” Drew asked as he walked up and saw the hold my father had on me.
“Excuse me? Who are you?” my mother asked as she looked him up and down.
“It’s not important who I am. Please remove your hand from her now before I do it for you.” He glared at my father.
“Drew, these are my parents.”
“Oh shit,” he spoke.
“Like your mother said, Jillian, you have some serious explaining to do. What kind of person does what you did?” My father asked.