Page 114 of Best Kept Vows

“We’re so past that, Dolly, that it’s almost funny that you bring it up.” I released a weary sigh. “You know what’s sad? You didn’t ask your son how he was doing or what he was doing. You didn’t ask about your grandchildren. You simply went straight to the mercenary point you made. You don’t have a relationship with your son or his family, Dolly, and he has nodutytoward you.”

Her nostrils flared in indignation. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” she accused, her voice trembling slightly.

“No, Dolly.” I let out a long breath. “Your behavior hurts my husband, and that isn’t something I could enjoy.”

I had spent years quietly enduring her condescending glances and listening to the dismissive, backhanded compliments whispered about me. And now I saw Dolly for who she was—a miserable human being who was trying to fill her empty life with designer doodads.

Rising gracefully, and smoothing out my dress. “Regardless of how you asked or our reluctance, the truth is, Dolly, we don’t have that kind of money.”

I stepped out into the warm, embracing Savannah air—searching for Sebastian. He was waiting across the street under a tree, leaning against it.

“So, how did it go?” he asked warmly.

I shrugged. “As well as it could go, I guess.”

He held out his hand, and I slipped mine into his as I felt an unyielding surge of power coursing through me.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“No, baby,thank youfor taking care of an unpleasant situation withmy motherfor me.”

“Anytime,” I blurted out and giggled.

“So, you had fun, I see?”

“Maybe a little,” I agreed.

“Next time, I’ll tell her to simply contact you and leave me out of it,” he teased.

“Bring it on!”

CHAPTER 39

Sebastian

Islipped into the back of the Savannah Lace conference room just as Lia began speaking.

It wasn’t easy convincing Luna to let me attend—this wasn’t open to outsiders—but when I told her I wanted…noneededto hear this, she’d given in, muttering, “Romantic fool!”

Then she warned me, “Don’t distract her. Sit in the back. Way in the back.”

So, I did.

I set up my phone to record her speech and send it to the kids—they insisted.

“Are you hiding?” Aurora asked incredulously.

“Tryin’ to,” I whispered as I tried to disappear into the neutral tones of the walls. “I don’t want her to see me. And, if Luna finds out I bothered Lia, she said she’d hurt me.”

Aurora studied me in disbelief and some amusement. “Lia knows you’re here.”

I sighed. “She does?”

Aurora rolled her eyes. “Yes. Luna told her.”

I was going to say something but then my wife stepped in front of the screen and clicked on her first slide.

The room shifted—not only because she commanded it, but because she belonged.