“Admit it? I’ve been saying it since I arrived. I don’t want to get married today.” I spun around. “Or here.”
“Or to Mr. Sherman.”
“No, Mom. I’m not saying that I don’t want to marry Van. I’m saying not today and not here. This is rushed. It doesn’t feel right.”
She nodded. “Darling, you had a fling.”
“He isn’t a fling.”
“Skylar confided in me that the two of you had never consummated your relationship.”
My nose scrunched as my volume rose. “You spoke to Skylar about our sex life?”
“It was a commendable decision.”
Pivoting, I took three steps toward the windows and pulling back the drapes, I stared down at the familiar street and frosted lawns.
Mom was behind me. “Julia, I respect and admire your decision to wait; however, have you considered that the lack of sexual fulfillment you associate with Skylar isn’t his fault? He never was given the chance—”
I spun to face her. “Mom, stop.”
Her face tilted. “Did you ever consider that he too felt unfulfilled? It’s only natural for a man to seek—”
“Are you justifying his cheating?”
“Not justifying.” She reached for my hands. “Equating would be a better word.”
“Equating? Skylar and Beth to me and Van?”
“Julia, your lack of experience and satisfaction left you vulnerable to the enticement and seduction of a man like Mr. Sherman. He is older and experienced in ways…”
I freed my hands. “My relationship with Van is more than sex, and it’s also none of your business.”
She feigned a smile. “His assistance with Wade has been helpful. Your desire to suddenly help our company is also commendable. In the future, I hope you’ll learn to draw the line at prostituting yourself.”
My mouth opened as I tried to form words. Finally, they came. “What did you just say?”
“It’s all right. It’s all in the past. We can move forward from here.”
I stepped toward the door. “This isn’t happening.”
“You took the opportunity to taste forbidden fruit. Skylar sowed his wild oats. Now the two of you can settle down, and we can rid ourselves of outsiders. Truly it will be better. Donovan has brought a spotlight on this family, one we neither want nor welcome.”
“Oh my God,” I spoke louder than I intended. “First you call me a whore, then you think I want to marry Skylar, and last you’re dissing Van when he saved Wade’s and your ass?”
“Julia Ann.”
My fists came to my hips. “What part of that upset you?” Before she answered, I added, “Because the whole damn thing is upsetting to me.”
Mom let out a long breath. “It’s time for you to calm down. I’ve called him.”
Taking a step back, I narrowed my gaze and asked, “Him?”
“Skylar.”
“Why?”
“He’s on his way.”