conversation, but I knew him better than that.
He was forcing himself to be quiet. Sometimes his temper caused him
more trouble than it was worth. His hand squeezed my thigh tighter.
I placed my hand over his, reassuring him that I understood his
frustration.
Diane glared at her husband. “You’re
just going to let him make these idiotic decisions? Not say
anything? I’m just looking out for our son.”
“ Who is an adult ,” Andrew reminded
her.
Sean grabbed my hand and held it
within his own. His voice came out calm. I was surprised he kept
the anger out of his tone. “I love living in Seattle, I love my
job, and I love Scarlet. I don’t need anything else.”
I smiled at him again.
“ Well, are you ever going
to move back?” Diane asked. “Seattle is so far away. You can’t
possibly stay there forever. Your family lives here—in Connecticut.
You could work for the company instead of that cheap paying job you
have now.”
Now I just wanted to slap
her.
Sean looked at me and we conversed
silently. He knew I never wanted to be apart from my brother. It
was important to me, and I couldn’t live without seeing him every
day. I would be miserable. “No, Scarlet and I both love Seattle.
Yes, I don’t make as much money at my new job, but I couldn’t care
less about the income. We are staying put.”
Diane nodded but I could tell that she
wasn’t pleased with the news. Her eyes were wider than usual. I
could tell she was offended that Sean declined her job offer. “Did
you move to get away from Penelope? How could you just leave her,
Sean? What did that sweet girl do to you?”
Sean squeezed my hand tightly. I knew
he couldn’t put up with this bullshit much longer. Granted, we
didn’t tell them we’re engaged, but she still shouldn’t bring her
up like this. I was his girlfriend and she wasn’t. I didn’t
understand why his mother couldn’t wait until I wasn’t around until
she interrogated him.
Sean’s voice wasn’t as pleasant as
earlier. In fact, it was ice cold. “Drop it.”
His mother didn’t back down. “What did
you expect, Sean? You break up with Penelope and don’t say a word
to us about it. A few months later, you’re with Scarlet instead.
Then, you move to the opposite side of the country. We’re just
concerned, son. You’re acting like a crazy person.”
I saw the anger in Sean’s eyes and I
feared he was going to turn the table on its side.
“ I don’t want to discuss
her. Penelope isn’t in my life anymore. Scarlet is. Stop asking me
about her. In fact, don’t mention her ever again. I will not answer
your questions. Scarlet is the one for me. I couldn’t care less if
you don’t accept her. It changes nothing.”
Diane sighed. “I just want to know
what happened between you and Penelope.” She turned her gaze to me.
“We don’t mean to offend you. Andrew and I love you like our own.
We didn’t mean to be rude.”
I smiled. “It’s okay,
Diane.”
“ No it’s not,” Sean said.
“Drop it. I mean it.”
Diane shook her head then leaned back
in her chair. It was awkward for a long time. I looked out at the
ocean and Sean followed my gaze. His mother drank from her cocktail
and stared at her drink.
Andrew tried to dissipate the tension.
“Scarlet, how’s your brother?”
I smiled. “He’s good. He still has his
tattoo shop.”
“ Good,” Andrew said. “I
was thinking about getting one for myself.”
“ A tattoo?” Sean asked
incredulously.
Andrew patted his deltoid. “Yeah, I
was thinking about putting it right here.”
I laughed. The idea of Andrew, a
millionaire business owner, having a tattoo was hilarious. I knew
he wasn’t being serious, but it still made me laugh anyway. On the
other hand, Diane looked furious. She clearly didn’t understand the
joke. She was still wound up from the previous
conversation.
I thought about Ryan drilling a needle
into Andrew’s arm and it made me laugh again. Then, I felt my heart
squeeze in