Chapter 9 Wedding date?
“Ready?” Weston asked as his driver opened the passenger seat of his Audi parked in the driveway.
I nodded, holding the hem of my red dress as I stepped into the car. It was ten p.m. and we were minutes away from having the worst weekend dinner.
Why? Because Mr. Weston would rather spend his spare time at the club, instead of using it to think of a believable story of how we started dating.
He entered and sank beside me. The driver circled the car, got in and we hit the road.
After a minute of deafening silence, Weston shifted his gaze from his phone to me.
“So what’s going to be our love story?”
I subtly wet my lips, pretending to be lost in thoughts, even though I came up with a story hours ago. “We met in an interview, and you instructed someone to speak to me on your behalf because you were too shy to do it.”
“Have you been busy rehearsing this?” He scooted closer, slightly widening his eyes.
My throat ticked. I glowered at him with pursed lips. “I just got the idea now.”
He let out a low sound, then straightened before countering my idea. “Your idea sucks, little lady. I’m never too shy. I’m never even shy when I want something.”
There goes the proud peacock. I leaned one elbow on the headrest, pressing my palm on my hair. “So what’s your suggestion?”
“Work.” A second passed. “Or club. That is the only place my family would believe—”
The car swerved, and adrenaline coursed through my veins. I shrieked, grasping Weston’s hand with my eyes shut tightly.
God, I feared nothing more than losing my life in an accident. Weston scooted closer, allowing me to rest my forehead on his shoulder until the car got back to its normal speed.
“Are you okay?” Weston asked, his breath grazing the crown of my head. Slowly I opened my eyes, and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear before shifting.
“Yes.” I forced a smile, then pressed my back against the leather seat. The rest of the drive was silent. I leaned against the window, plucking the edge of my gown as I watched cars drive past us.
We cornered into a quiet street lined with trees and then into a heavy gate, tires screeching as we pulled to a halt.
Oh. My. God.
My skin crawled at the sight of the opulent mansion. While I speechlessly gaped, Weston got out, rounded the car and stretched out his hand for me.
A gentleman, really?
I frowned and shoved his hand off, then helped myself out.
An elegantly dressed Mrs. Reed stood by the doorstep, her eyes crinkling up in a smile as we approached her. Beside her was a young lady about my age, fidgeting as she stared at us.
“Wessy!” she shouted, launching herself at Weston. “It’s been like forever. You never visit.”
“Jenna dear, it’s so good to have you.” Mrs. Reed beamed.
I smiled at her, a rush of warmth hitting my body. Before I could respond, the blonde clinging to Weston jumped down and whirled her head in my direction.
She gasped, her hands flying to cover her mouth. “Tell me my brother finally found a girlfriend.”
“He did.” I shrugged, a dry chuckle escaping my lips. For starters, meeting his family wasn’t as bad as I’d imagined.
“Babe, meet my not-so-little sister, Amy.” Weston threw a hand around her shoulder and pulled her closer, then she playfully pushed him off, giving him a glare.
He closed the distance between us and cupped my face, leaving me in shock with my blood pulsing in my ears. Was he about to kiss me?
My question got answered with a peck on my cheek, then he whispered. “Relax. I won’t kiss you without your approval.” He brushed my hair back with his fingers, then turned to his sister. “And meet my amiable girlfriend, Jenna.”
Fake girlfriend.
I stretched my hand out to Amy. Instead, she pulled me into a hug. “It’s so nice to finally meet you, Jenna.” She pulled away. “Permit me to call you Jenny. Wessy for Weston, Jenny for Jenna.”
My brows drew together, and I flinched my head to Weston, and he winked at me. This family must really have a thing for the letter Y.
Mrs. Reed cleared her throat and we all turned to her. “Come in before dinner gets cold.”
I shuffled beside Weston into the dining room and plopped into a seat beside him, my stomach grumbling as the sweet aroma of different foods wafted through the air.
I glanced around, observing the neatly decorated and spacious house. Then from behind, a thick voice, which I suppose belonged to his brother, said, “Never thought this day would come.”
I gulped down and turned nervously. And of course, I was right.
He ambled through the curved stairway and down to the dining room with his dad. Weston exchanged pleasantries with each of them, then introduced them to me as Mr. Reed and Bryan before everyone settled down.
“My wife tells me you work for Weston.” Mr. Reed clasped his arms together. He was the only one not eating yet.
Heat flared across my skin and I glimpsed Weston before responding, “Yes, Mr. Reed. His personal assistant.”
“Pass me the wine.” Bryan nudged Amy. He seemed to be the complete opposite of Weston.
Amy handed the bottle of wine to him. She took a sip from her glass, and wiped the droplet that dribbled down her chin, then turned to me. “Wow. I thought my brother would meet his soulmate in a club or—”
“Amy,” her parents called in unison.
With her mouth curved in a pout, she shrugged. “I’m just saying. Didn’t he meet Diane Thompson in a club?”
Weston clenched his jaw, narrowing his eyes at Amy in a dead glare. The last time his lazy grin disappeared from his face was when I’d asked about his ex-girlfriend. Was Diane his ex?
I shot him a wary look. “Darling, who’s Diane?”
Yes, I had to use the pet name. No one answered.
Then, Mrs. Reed waved her hand in the air. “No one important.” She smiled. “Where did you say you met Weston again?”
I swallowed the mashed potatoes in my mouth. “Actually, we met outside a—”
My next word died in my throat when Weston’s hand gripped my thigh under the table, sending jolts through me.
His eyes locked on mine, and he shook his head in disapproval. “At work.” He finished for me.
Dick.
“Jenna, where is your family from?” Mr. Reed asked.
“Ohio.” I lifted the burgundy glass up, then took a sip. “I was born and brought up in Ohio. I recently moved to Brooklyn.”
Weston poured wine into his now empty cup. “Mommy, Jenna is into acting.” He peered at me. “She moved to Brooklyn to pursue her acting career. Right, baby?”
I wrapped my hands around his elbow, smiling. “Yes, darling.”
Mrs. Reed seemed amused. “That’s great. We’re a family of star-studded people, as you already know.” She cut a piece of meat. “Bryan is a best-selling author.” She pointed her fork at him, and bowed, his cup lifted.
“And I’m a model.” Amy’s face flushed, her eyes twinkling. I suddenly felt out of place, so I kept my focus on my food.
“So has the wedding date been chosen?” Mr. Reed asked, making me choke on my food. Bryan passed me a glass of water, but Weston beat him to it.
I took a sip and wiped my mouth, then shot Weston a quizzical look. Wedding date? Sorry, what?
He looked terrified too. “Dad, we’ll cross that line when we get there.”
Silence. Mr. Reed stood, straightening his clothes. “I do hope you get there soon, if you really want the company in your name.” He excused himself and walked away. Mrs. Reed forced a smile, hurriedly going after him.
For the next few minutes, I dug my fork into the steak but didn’t eat any. Like was I dreaming? A wedding?
Bryan left next, leaving me with Amy and Weston. I pressed the power button on my phone, and my eyes widened. Twelve thirty-two a.m.? I needed to go home. I leaned over and tapped Weston, who was engrossed in his phone.
“Isn’t it time—”
“Should I walk you to Wessy’s room? The guest rooms are currently under renovation.” Amy chose that moment to speak.
I tilted my head towards Weston immediately, stepping on his feet for him to intercept.
“I forgot to tell you. We’ll be spending the night here.”
My heart dropped into my stomach. “What? Spending the night? I didn’t even come with extra clothes.”
Weston gave me a pleading look. On the other hand, Amy gazed at me like I’d spoken a different language. Then she stood and walked over to me. “You can wear mine.”
