Page 79 of Best Kept Vows

I’d hurt this wonderful woman, this life partner who’d been by my side, and for what? For things that didn’t matter. For people I didn’t even like—even though I felt a responsibility, an obligation for.

“I love you, Ophelia Boone, more than you can imagine, more than I’ve expressed, but I do, and I’m going to make it my life’s mission to let you know it so you feel it in your bones.”

She blinked and bit her lower lip to keep the tears at bay.

I kissed Lia’s forehead and murmured, “Thank you for being you.”

I would’ve said more, but the door opened, and Pamela’s face greeted us.

Sunday dinner was, as expected, a formal affair in the grand dining room, where appearances mattered more than family.

“Thank you for gracing us with your presence,” Mama mocked when we came into the dining room.

We were late by design, so we didn’t have to do thetedious pre-dinner drinks. I intended to get the hell out of here before dessert was served.

“How are you doing, Mama?” I pulled a chair for Lia.

She sat, and I took my seat next to her.

“Dolly, you look very nice,” Lia said politely with no undertone of malice or irritation, just a simple,“It’s nice to see you.”

My wife was elegance personified. My mother, not so much as she spat out, “I’m surprised to see you here, Lia, since I hear my son has left you…finally.”

Coco sniggered.

This was over the top, yes, but I’d seen subtler variations of this over the years and ignored it so we could keep the peace; told Lia to let it go so we could keep the peace, told myself not to hear the contempt so…we could keep thefucking peace.

“Mama, watch your tone and your words,” I warned sharply. “I’m here to talk to y’all, but if you upset my wife, we’ll leave, and you can hear about my plans for Boone Metals like everyone else when we announce them to the public.”

The whole table gasped, and Mama eyed Lia with derision.

“So the rumors are true?” Bryce rose, his hands clenched into fists.

Dad grunted.

Hendrix smirked.

Lia drank somewine.

“Can we at least get through the meal before we get intoworktalk?” Mama gritted out.

Bryce sat down, and Coco patted his arm, giving me a nasty look. Rumors were swirling about everything from my selling the company to new leadership to the company going under.

Pamela served a cold cucumber soup as an appetizer, and the only sounds for a while were of spoons hitting bowls.

Once they were cleared up, Pamela told us that the Hunter’s chicken with vegetables would be served shortly. She filled and refilled wine glasses, and while she was in the room, I knew everyone would refrain from talking about anythingimportant. You didn’t do that in front of the help.

“You’re still working, Lia?” my mother asked, her tone clipped. “I assumed this…hobby of yours would have run its course by now.”

Lia set her wine glass down, but I didn’t let her respond. “Lia has a career, and it’s not a hobby, not that you’d know since you’ve never held a job in your life.”

My mother looked like she’d eaten a lemon.

A flicker of surprise crossed Lia’s face before she quickly masked it. But I had seen it.

“Craig and I want to talk about the wedding,” Birdie chimed, and that’s when I noticed she was engaged. I was sure someone had told me, but I’d obviously missed it. The ring was huge.

“My parents are thinking destination wedding in the Seychelles,” Craig announced smugly.