“Fine,” I say heavily. Maybe there’s something Mom knows that I don’t about being new parents. Or…
Wait a minute. My birthday is coming up soon. In precisely two weeks. And that means a party. Since I don’t care to have parties at a hotel, which Mom knows, it’s likely my friends are going to host it at one of their places. Bet Ivy gets to do it. She uses the fact that she’s my soul sister to get what she wants, and she’d want to host my birthday party here.
And since Mom’s not bringing up that reason, it’s going to be a surprise party.
I try not to smile too smugly. I’d hate to ruin their fun. Besides, surprise parties are awesome. They’re my favorite. Actually, all parties are, but still. It’s for me, so it’s extra special.
“Fine,” I say, since I don’t want to argue with her or get in the way of my friends’ plans. “I’ll move to the suite. But I want my own space, Mom.”
“Of course.”
“And no setting up meetings with dossiers!”
The three Mom showed me are worrisome. If she brought them specifically to show to me when she knows I’m going to be in L.A. for a while, those men are probably willing to fly out to meet me or have a business trip to the States soon.
She straightens her back. “I would never force anyone on you…although I do think you should meet them. Why do you think they’ll be any less interesting and desirable than Declan Winters?”
I laugh. “Have you seen Declan Winters?”
“He’s a handsome man, I’ll admit. Looks, however, are not a sound foundation for marriage.”
I can’t believe I have to state my objections again. But I’m willing if it’ll convince Mom to give Declan a chance. He might not have a conglomerate to run or have the right degrees from the right universities, but he’s perfect. “All your dossier guys are workaholics like Eugene. They won’t show up for my birthdays or anniversaries because business will come first. The most they’ll do to show they haven’t forgotten about me is sending me some ridiculously expensive but utterly thoughtless gift. I don’t want that sort of life. And Declan will never do that.”
“You seem awfully sure.”
“Because I am. I’ve seen you and Dad.”
Mom lets out a sigh that says she’s dealing with an unreasonable child. “Not even your father was perfect through our marriage.”
I gasp. “No way! He missed special occasions?”
She shrugs. “Once or twice.”
My esteem for him drops several notches. Hard. Mom is a saint for being okay with that.
“He was out of the country on business, and I didn’t feel like traveling with him. It couldn’t be avoided.”
Well, then. He didn’t just forget. That changes things.
Mom continues, “Anyway, the point isn’t about my marriage, it’s about yours.”
“Mom, I know what I want. You don’t have to worry. I absolutely, positively do not want to be a merger wife. I want to marry a man who’ll love me for the rest of my life.”
“And you think that’s Declan.”
“Yes,” I say firmly. I’ve never been this sure, and I don’t ignore my gut feelings.
“All right. But if he does anything to make you rethink that, will you please meet with Ryu Taejo or any other candidate who’s still available?”
This is a huge compromise for my mother. And it’ll never happen. So I nod. “I will. I promise.”
Chapter Forty-Seven
Declan
–Me: So the car can be delivered in two weeks?
–Tim the Rolls Dealer (Not My Agent): Yes. Pink and all specced out. Automatic transmission, just like you asked.