Page 48 of Bad Boy Husband

SADIE

The adoption fair had gone better than I ever could’ve hoped for and I was still riding a high by the time we walked into Jameson’s parents’ house for the rehearsal dinner, but nerves were also twisted low in my stomach.

This was the first time I would be sitting across the same table from my parents since that last awkward family dinner we’d had here.

That had been only a few weeks ago and my mother had spent half the night acting like I brought shame to our family just by being myself. I tightened my grip on Jameson’s arm, inhaling deeply. Our footsteps echoed through the cavernous foyer.

Things were different now. I was different now. Okay, so maybe I’m not different at all. Maybe it’s just that I’m finally standing tall in my own skin.

Most of that was because of the man walking beside me right now, his strides confident and his chin held high as we walked out into the back courtyard of the manor. He glanced down at me, a soft smile on his lips as he paused.

“Here we go,” he murmured, his hazel eyes shining with love and sincerity. “Don’t let them get you down, okay? Whatever happens, I’m right here and I love you. I’m not going anywhere and they’re assholes if they can’t see how lucky they are to have a daughter who cares so much.”

A smile curved my lips and I bent over to press a kiss to his shoulder. “You say the most romantic things to me.”

“I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic right now.” He laughed as we started forward again.

Tonight’s dinner was intimate, only our families present at a long table set up under string lights in the courtyard. Wine from Sterling’s vineyard in Napa was already flowing, conversations buzzing between Jameson’s parents and my own.

For once though, no one seemed to be rushing. No one was working or even arguing right now. They stood up when we joined them, with CC smiling at me as she brushed a kiss to each of my cheeks. She kept her voice down while the others greeted Jameson.

“We’re proud of you, darling,” she said, her eyes twinkling.

“Laney told me all about your success at the fair. I wish I could’ve been there to see it, but the caterer was having a temper tantrum.

Nothing to worry about. It’s all been sorted out, but I just wanted you to know how proud we are to be gaining a daughter who is such a true philanthropist.”

My heart stammered in my chest. “You are?”

“Yes, Sadie. We are.” She squeezed my hands in hers. “The Westwoods have a proud tradition of supporting our community as best we can and I’m ashamed to say that we’ve often overlooked causes relating to animals, but no more.”

Tears welled in my eyes, but then Jameson slid his hand into mine and CC waved us away, sitting back down at one end of the table with Harlan beside her.

She fell into an effortless conversation with Callum while my parents were at the other end of the table.

Trent kept them company as Jameson led me to our seats in the middle.

Like we were the hinge holding it all together.

CC kept smiling at me as if she was silently letting me know that they were here for me.

I didn’t know exactly what had changed between her and me, but something sure had.

Maybe she’d really just stopped seeing me as a threat to her son or their good name.

Whatever it was, it felt good to know I was finally being welcomed into the fold.

Across the table, Harlan nodded along as Trent bragged about the adoption numbers.

He’d had my back at the fair and apparently he still had it tonight.

“It was actually pretty fun, being there in the thick of things. I’m not even surprised it went so well.

Sadie’s always had the heart for this. Even when we didn’t know what to do with it. ”

I blinked, trying not to show how much that meant to me. My entire life, I’d felt like I was trying to explain color to people who only saw in black and white and now I suddenly had a whole table full of people—with the exception of my parents—who actually seemed to get it.

“What’s next?” Harlan asked, his attention fully on me. “I assume you have plans for the future of the foundation. Supporting one shelter and a pro-bono clinic is an excellent place to start, but my understanding from the foundation’s mission statement is that there’s more to come?”

“I hope so,” I said, my voice hushed with surprise. “I’ve been trying to extend my support to other organizations in the area, and at times, I’ve managed to do so successfully, but it’s pretty tough out there.”

Trent cleared his throat, chest swollen with pride. “She’d love to take the foundation international eventually. Small-scale outreach to start. Existing shelters in under-resourced areas. Last I heard, she was researching programs in Kenya, actually.”

“That’s smart,” Harlan said, glancing at me. “Strategic growth. A long-term view. You and I should talk about it sometime. I think a partnership between your foundation and our company could be beneficial and Westwood and Sons is always open to taking on new charitable partners.”

Before I could respond, Trent added, “She’s already built something sustainable here. It’s just a matter of scale now. I’m planning to make a donation to the foundation as a wedding gift.”

I blinked, my heart positively thrumming at this point. “Trent?—”

He held up a hand and grinned at me. “Don’t argue. You deserve it. You always have. I should’ve done it a long time ago, but better late than never.”

That almost made me cry, but then Harlan chuckled and strangely nodded his agreement with my brother. “That’s actually not a bad idea. We’ll do the same. A donation as a wedding present seems far more useful than a carving knife or a fancy toaster.”

CC beamed at him before bringing her gaze to mine. “That’s a wonderful idea. I love it. Consider it done.”

I was almost too afraid to look at my parents, but when I did, my dad, who hadn’t spoken much all night, shifted in his seat and cleared his throat. “Well, then I suppose we’ll do the same.”

My head jerked, but Harlan had a glint in his eyes that told me this had been his plan all along.

He inclined his chin at my father. “Excellent. It’s the right decision, Troy.

We’re all family now and family supports each other.

I’m sure Jamie will help with investing these donations.

That should make them go a long way. Perhaps even all the way to Kenya. ”

“Yeah. Absolutely.” Jameson nodded immediately before he turned to me. “We’ll talk about how best to go about it, but I’m happy to help if you’ll let me.”

I heard my mother hum, glancing at her just in time to see her twisting a napkin in her lap. The smile on her lips was so tight and practiced that I could’ve cut glass with it. “How lovely. Everyone coming together like this.”

Waiting for her to add something snide or petty, I stiffened, but CC smiled around her wine, turning ever so slightly to give me the most satisfied, smug little eyebrow pump I’d ever seen.

“It is lovely, isn’t it? We’re really looking forward to finding a way of working with the foundation in the future.

It’s such a worthy cause and we’re absolutely embracing it as a family.

You must be exceptionally proud of your daughter for what she’s achieved, starting something like this by herself and turning it into an organization that has truly made a difference. ”

I didn’t even try to hide my grin. Jameson’s hand found my thigh beneath the table, anchoring me with the quiet, steady heat of him. Mom just turned that cutting smile up at CC, nodding her agreement, but I could see she wasn’t quite onboard yet.

At least everyone else seemed to be. A whole family of people with power and means who wanted to help me make a difference. Once again, I nearly burst out crying.

After dessert, I sat with Laney and Sterling under the patio heaters, a quiet moment carved out in the middle of the emotional storm.

“We’re going to Napa for a few weeks after the wedding,” Laney said, her fingers laced with Sterling’s. “Both of us need a break before the baby comes and I desperately need some fresh air.”

“We’re thinking about building another house here,” Sterling added. “On the estate. Something with enough space for the baby to have a yard. I’m torn between starting fresh and just adding onto the cottage I’ve got. We’ll see.”

Laney smiled, her eyes soft. “Maybe we’ll even get a dog. Eventually.”

“Jack might object,” I teased, referencing the cat I’d adopted for them a couple months ago. “Or maybe he’d like the friend.”

“He could use a friend,” she said, yawning. Her eyes moved up to Jameson when he came up behind me.

“Hey,” he murmured, his hand warm at the base of my spine. “Are you ready to go? I’m beat and I’ve missed you, so I’m taking you home.”

I stood, but before I could even grab my purse, CC’s voice cut through the air. “Ah-ah-ah. Sadie stays with us tonight. Spa day tomorrow. You two don’t get to see each other again until the ceremony.”

“Wait.” I frowned, spinning to face her. “What?”

Laney grinned. “It’s tradition. Well, not our tradition, but I like the drama of it. I’m staying too.”

“You can’t be serious,” Jameson said, genuinely turning pale.

“Oh, we are,” CC said smoothly. “It’s good luck.”

Jameson looked like he wanted to argue, but then he turned to me instead after Sterling just shook his head at him. “Can I talk to you? Just for a second?”

“Fine,” CC said, her tone dramatic and amused. “Only a second. We have a schedule to keep.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he muttered, wrapping his fingers around my own and dragging me inside. Down the hallway, he pulled me into the library, shut the door behind us, and twisted the lock. “I can’t believe they just ambushed us with that.”

I laughed and raised an eyebrow at him. “Why are you locking the door?”

He stepped closer, hands sliding to my waist. Heat sparked in his eyes. “I haven’t had you to myself all week.”

“I’ve been right here.”

“No,” he said softly. “You’ve been running the world. Saving puppies and taking names. I just needed one second with you before everything gets crazy tomorrow.”

My breath caught, my voice coming out on a whisper. “You’re not getting cold feet, are you?”

“No,” he said. “Not even a little.”

I kissed him, a soft brush of my lips against his that felt more like a promise. “I’m not either.”

He grinned before he let out a quiet groan. “Good. Shit, this is ridiculous. I really can’t believe they plan on keeping you here.”

I smiled, toying with the hair at the nape of his neck and breathing in his earthy, masculine scent. “It’s kind of romantic.”

“It’s annoying.”

“Think about it. The next time I see you, we’ll be walking toward forever.” I rose up on my toes and kissed him again, harder this time, wrapping my arms around his neck and holding him to me.

If I was being honest, I really would rather have gone home with him, but I kind of liked the thought of staying behind here with Laney and CC too. It made me feel like part of their family, like the women were letting me into the tight-knit bond they’d formed.

That meant something to me, even if Jameson’s body against my own felt like heaven after the day I’d had. Maybe I can just stay with him a little bit longer. There’s no need to rush, right? It’s not like anyone’s going to come looking for us.