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I long to give my child a complete family—let it revel in the joy of having its father’s love. It should never experience the soul-crushing burden of a rejection from its father, or worse yet, the blame for forcing its parents to stay together when they would’ve been better off apart.

What a mess. It’s all just…a mess. I’m not only letting Mom down, but the baby, too.

Don’t make any hasty decisions. It’s still early. I can give myself a couple of weeks to consider the best course of action.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Rhys

Since the incidents with Selena, Max has become pensive. Oftentimes I catch her lost in thought—even at work, which has never happened before.

“You want to talk about whatever’s bothering you?”

She shakes her head. “I probably will at some point, but I’m not ready yet.”

I don’t press, although my curiosity is more intense than a heartburn. Did Mom or Dad do something over-the-top embarrassing, or make some inappropriate comment? Did Selena do something behind my back after demanding an interview? But Max isn’t the type to stew over something like that…is she?

Really, what do I know? I didn’t think Selena would be the type to dump me because of what my parents did, but that happened. At least she was nice and upfront about it.

Maybe her father’s attorney is bugging her?But a lawyer from a firm as prestigious as Highsmith, Dickson and Associates should know better than to harass her. Not only that, he has to realize that convincing her to do what her father wants will be nearly impossible if a two-billion-dollar inheritance isn’t enough to move her.

The only thing different about her is increased snacking—mainly dark chocolate. So I make sure to keep the kitchenstocked with top-quality German truffles, praying it helps her make a decision, whatever it might be, in my favor.

And soonIstart brooding—a summons from Grandmother arrives, via Georgia, who says, “If you’ve finally settled on one of the candidates, please bring her. Donotcancel under any circumstances. If you do, Sorcha’ll go scorched earth, and nobody wants that.”

No shit. Suing us all to force us to meet her at the same time was nothing. She might just napalm our homes. Sorcha Kingswood doesn’t believe in backing down, only escalation.

“She’s done playing around. Cedric’s back from his safari, and your brothers are coming too.”

Damn, not Grandpa, too. He believes Grandmother can do no wrong, and won’t hesitate to cut us down. Gideon calls him Perseus, after the Greek hero who married a princess and stayed faithful to her, unlike the vast majority of Greek mythic figures. It fits him in a bizarre way, because Grandpa has never betrayed his marriage vows—and not for lack of means or opportunities—and he slays every monster in Grandma’s way. The only thing he couldn’t fix for her was her career-ending accident, for which he allegedly beat himself up for a year, blaming himself for planning the lavish birthday party.

“It’ll be a lovely family gathering,” Georgia adds.

No,it’ll be a formal congregation,designed to maximize my pain. I don’t voice the thought, but it’ll be worse than the time I was forced to sing “Silent Night” for a school Christmas pageant knowing I can’t carry a tune. Grandmother insisted, while despairing over the fact that I’ll never danceThe Nutcracker. I told her no man wants to dance something titledThe Nutcracker, but she only gave me a scornful look.

Unfortunately, Saturday afternoon eventually arrives. “Why don’t we take some flowers?” Max says, like it’s an ordinary dinner. She’s in a fitted blue dress from Danica. Her hair’s down,all casual and relaxed. But then, why wouldn’t it be? She’s always perfect.

“I already got something.” I gesture at a case of Belvedere vodka.

She raises her eyebrows. “That much?”

“Trust me. It’ll be appreciated.”And needed.

Dread unfurls like poison. I wish I could start drinking now. Since Selena’s disastrous encounter with my parents fourteen years ago, I’ve never taken anybody to meet them…or Grandmother. Although this fake relationship is about showing the worried family elders that I’ve got my life figured out, apprehension rides high.

Calm the hell down. Max has interacted with my parents and grandmother before. And she’s never freaked out. Why would she start now?

But back then we weren’t in a relationship. Her interaction with my family was limited to the office. Evenmyparents know you can’t bring naked sidepieces to work…I think.

“Are you going to go like that?” Max eyes my outfit—a jacket and slacks, starched white dress shirt, no tie. “Isn’t that a bit too formal?”

“No. This is the least Grandmother expects.” If I’msansjacket, she’ll make some cutting remark about the fall of western civilization.

Angelo is off on weekends, so I drive us to my grandparents’ two-story Malibu home. It has a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean, and the garden is immaculate with chamomiles, Siberian fawn lilies, fern leaf peonies and lady’s slipper orchids. The last are Grandmother’s pride and joy because they’re very difficult to grow, and the ones that finally survived in her garden were her third attempt.

Seven luxury cars lie sparkling under the orange glow of sunset. Guess we’re the last to arrive.

Max frowns. “Are we late?”