Page 5 of Theo (Stone Brothers #6)

FOUR

LACEY

"W ho were you talking to?" George asked with a good dose of accusation. "We're having a party, in case you missed it." It seemed my fiancé had had enough of me today but then I'd warned him that these massive social events were my worst nightmare.

"I'm coming. I just had to talk to someone at the office. I'm all in now," I said.

"The office?" he scoffed. "Why does an online legal advice firm need an office?

" George was still pissed about me walking away from a promising position at a renowned law firm.

The fact that the boss kept grabbing my ass didn't seem as important as the prestige of his future wife working in one of the top firms in the city.

We'd had a huge argument about it, and in the end, he agreed that Carl Vox, the law partner, was an asshole and it was good I left the firm.

But when I took a position at an online legal advice firm, his head practically exploded.

"I'm not even responding to that." I picked up my pace, ahead of him.

He took hold of my hand and stopped my progress.

I looked back at him. I'd always found him incredibly good looking, but sometimes his arrogance showed through the handsome facade and it ruined the whole vision.

He pushed up a smile, but it looked forced.

"Look, honey, I know this is all stressful, and my mom, well, I know she can be pushy?—"

I laughed dryly. "That is a very gentle word for it.

Pushy is a friend who convinces you to buy the green dress instead of the blue, even if you know the blue is more suited to your complexion.

Your mom literally made every decision about this wedding, right down to the color of the fucking napkins.

By the way, I hate the rose color she picked.

If there is one color on the whole spectrum of colors that I dislike it's that rose color. "

George sighed. He did it to show me that I was being dramatic, and he was always the voice of reason.

It was obnoxious and condescending. "Look, hon, we've just got to get through this weekend.

Next week we'll be on a plane to Europe for our honeymoon.

" He tried to take me into his arms, but the timing was all wrong.

I wanted to stay in my overdramatic moment, so he realized this wasn't just pre-wedding nerves. He was terrible at reading my feelings.

I pushed him away.

His jaw tightened. George Plunkett II was not used to being rejected or turned away.

He'd been his parents' golden child from the second he was born.

Joan had had a complicated pregnancy and couldn't have a second child, so they'd put all their time and money and power into bringing up a man who they considered human perfection.

He was close to it in many people's eyes, mine too, at first. But every once in a while, George did something that made me realize that perfection was strictly in the eye of the beholder.

"Look, Lacey, go inside and get yourself a drink. You need to relax and enjoy. We'll get through this chaotic weekend and start our lives, and once we move into the Ketteridge neighborhood, you can quit your current job and get serious about stepping back into a real law firm."

I stared at him, frozen to the spot and thinking it would take way more than one drink to relax. "Wow, you just threw out a couple of grenades in quick succession. Presumably thinking I wouldn't take note of either, but—" I shook my head. "Wow. Just wow."

"Look, I know you didn't like the Ketteridge development but everyone we know is buying a house there. The developer is creating an unbelievable suburban utopia with only top-of-the-line materials and appliances. We don't want to be left out."

"Those houses look like something from a science fiction movie.

I don't want a house that will tell me when I'm cold or hot or when my cookies are properly baked.

I like my cookies gooey thank you very much.

And as for my job, I enjoy working online with clients.

Yes, most of them are strapped financially, but that's the whole point of the company. "

"We'll talk about this later," George said. "Let's get to the party." We reached the steps to the veranda where half the guests had gathered for before dinner cocktails. "And get yourself a drink. Something that'll take off that edge and make you smile," he said curtly then walked away.

Joan always seemed to have radar when it came to me.

"Lacey, dear, I want you to meet the women in my garden club.

" She paused to frown at my face. "Your makeup is starting to look a little faded.

Maybe you should go freshen up first, but don't be long.

Everyone has been asking about you, and you've been absolutely invisible.

I'll be out on the veranda. We're gathered close to the rose garden.

Hurry, please. And possibly smooth down some of those unruly hairs.

You look as if you've just come off the beach. "

I let her continue with her list of complaints and insults. In fact, I was thrilled she found me lacking because it meant I could disappear from the party yet again.

"See you in a few minutes," she said and hurried off, her high heels clattering on the tile floor.

I dashed in through the French doors and made my way past the closest bar set up. I grabbed a glass of wine, lowered my head and zigzagged around various gathered groups for a quick escape.

"Lacey, where are you going?" Mom caught up to me. She smelled of wine and perfume. She took my arm and gave it a little tug. "Sweetie, you need to be more social. People are mentioning that they've hardly seen you."

"I was heading into the party, but Joan, dearest, stopped to tell me my makeup was faded and my hair was rowdy and that I look as if I just stepped off a beach. Which I personally don't consider an insult, but I'm fairly certain she meant it as exactly that."

Mom bit her lip and gave me one of her "oh dear" frowns.

"Oh, I'm sorry about that, sweetie. She can be a little abrasive, but I'm sure she just wants to show you off to all her friends.

" Mom had always been on my side. Always.

But my marriage to a rich doctor had clouded some of her judgement.

She was blinded by the glittering, money-laden Plunkett lifestyle.

I was too, at first, but the glitter wore off quickly. I was sure it would for her too.

"Well, I'd better go freshen up then so I can play the proper future daughter-in-law and smile pretty for her friends.

" I started to walk away. Mom followed and tugged my hand to stop my progress once more.

I looked at her. She reached up and smoothed down a hair that had come loose from the clip, then she rubbed something off from the side of my eye.

"You look beautiful, Lacey. My perfect little angel. You don't need to freshen up. You outshine everyone at this party." A frown turned down her pink lips. "You are happy, aren't you, sweetie? I mean, I know this is all very overwhelming, but the important thing is that you're happy."

As she asked it, I found myself mentally asking was I happy ?

That was probably not encouraging. I didn't want to upset her.

She and dad had driven out for the party, and Dad even bought a new pair of shoes for the occasion.

He hadn't bought new shoes since my high school graduation.

I knew his feet were bothering him, but he kept on a smile because he knew this was a big deal and the start of my future with George.

"I'm happy, Mom. I'm going to join the party. Just need to go up and use the little girls' room, then I'll be back down to dazzle everyone."

Mom leaned over and kissed my cheek. She giggled and immediately began wiping lipstick off my cheek.

"I guess you'd better freshen up after all.

" She looked at her newly painted thumb.

"Goodness gracious, what ever compelled me to wear this shade of lipstick?

I look like I should be stretched out on a velvet fainting couch in a brothel. "

I laughed and hugged her. "You look beautiful, and you outshine everyone else here. We're both dazzling, and these people are lucky to have us in attendance."

Mom rolled her eyes at my over-the-top flattery. "Hurry then. Don't keep these lackluster guests waiting."

I hurried up the stairs, got temporarily lost in the long hallway, found my room, mostly because it had been decorated with roses, and slipped inside. I took a deep breath and pulled out my phone just in case Theo had texted. I couldn't believe how disappointed I was that he hadn't.

Oh boy, Lacey, what the heck were you thinking sending that text?