Page 112 of Empty Net

“Behave, Lilah,” my mother snaps from behind me, and I instantly bristle. “I mean, my god. Acting that way at your own engagement party and causing a scene. It’s absurd. And fix your hair.”

“My hair is fine, Mother,” I mutter, teeth gritted.

“Tell that to a mirror, dear.”

I square my shoulders back, ready to go toe-to-toe with her. I don’t care if she finds out this is all fake. I have officially had enough of this. I’m done being her puppet. I’m done playing her game. I am justdone.

“Mother, I?—”

“Selene, there you are,” Fox says smoothly, cutting in at just the right time. My mother gives him that same smile she’s been giving him since day one. The one that says,I don’t like you, but I’m smiling so itlookslike I like you, and once you turn your back, I’m going to talk shit about you and break you and my daughter up, then laugh all the way to the bank.

The fact that shestillthinks Fox isn’t good enough for our family makes no sense to me. I’m the one who isn’t worthy of him.

Auden squeezes my arm and sends me a tightlipped smile before slipping away, Fox taking her place beside me.

“I’ve been wanting to introduce you to my parents. Is Deacon around?”

“Oh, he’s just right here.” She turns. “My love!” she calls out, but he’s too engrossed in a conversation—business, I assume—with one of his friends to pay her any attention. My mother sighs, then snaps her fingers. “Deacon!” she bellows.

Thatgets his attention—and nearly everyone else’s, too. Talk about causing a scene and being absurd.

My dad excuses himself and makes his way over to us.

“Sorry, my love. Got swept up talking numbers.” He looks down his nose at Bonnie and Roy. “And who is this, Lilah?”

Fox slips his hand into mine, squeezing it three times.

I’m right here.

I squeeze his back twice.

Thank you.

I clear my throat. “Mom, Dad, this is Roy and Bonnie Fox.” I turn to Fox’s parents. “This is my mother, Selene, and my father, Deacon.”

My mother’s smile doesn’t reach her eyes as she extends her hand as if she’s royalty and expects Fox’s parents to kiss it.

“Oh, now, now. We’re about to be family.” Bonnie throws her arms around my mother before she can protest, hugging her tightly like she’s an old friend and not standing stiffly in her arms. “It’s so wonderful to meet you,” the sweet Southern woman says.

“Hmm. Yes, wonderful indeed.” My mother’s words are cold, whereas Bonnie’s are warm, and she pats her back awkwardly.

Bonnie does the same to my father, and I have to smother my laugh at the surprise on his face. I’ll admit, I was shocked by Bonnie’s penchant for hugging as well, but the moment the woman put her arms around me, I felt nothing but calm. I can count on one hand the number of times my parents have genuinely hugged me, and never did I feel even close to what Fox’s mother’s hug invoked—safe, warm, and, above all else, loved. I don’t know if I’ve ever been held like that before. Except for maybe by…

I look up at Fox, who is having a hard time hiding his pleasure at my parents’ discomfort, too.

“Nice to meet you, Deacon,” Roy says, slinging his arm around me. “You’ve got a great gal here. Can make a mean biscuits-and-gravy breakfast.” He pats his stomach. “And she’s whip-smart, too. Did the crossword in theTimesin under ten minutes. It usually takes me a full workday.”

My father raises his brows. “Well, that is impressive, Lilah. It’s too bad you’ve not put that to more use over the years.”

I feel Roy’s spine stiffen at my father’s words, and I get the feeling that while this big Southern man is as sweet as they come, he’s not afraid to protect the ones he cares about. In this case, that’s me.

“Thanks, Roy,” I tell him, laying a hand on his chest to hopefully help calm him down. “My father here collects antique furniture. You two might have something to chat about, given your line of work.”

“Are you a dealer?” my father asks, suddenly interested.

“I guess you could say that. I make furniture.”

My father’s bushy brows rise. “Youmakefurniture? As in you design it?”

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