Page 147 of The Sweetest Devotion

Move the wedding closer? I shuddered to think of my time being semi-single being cut short. Cain had given me his word we wouldn’t have to consummate our marriage if we got married, but I wasn’t willing to test that theory any time soon.

“Couldn’t you just workthisangle with Cain?” I pleaded. “Try to get him to see how absurd this whole thing is. Our family is going through a lot right now and who can think of planning a wedding and a marriage?”

“I talked to him, Neddy,” my father said. “And he’s certain he wants to go through with this. He’s a little cold, but he’s not so bad. What’s wrong with him?”

“I don’t want him!” I practically snapped. I had to stop and collect myself before I seriously broke down. “What about whatIwant, Daddy? You’re making this about money. As if a man with a normal job couldn’t make me just as happy.”

“We’ll never know now, will we?” My father was dismissing my train of thought and I knew better than to argue.

Instead, I stood from my chair and lifted my chin with dignity I didn’t feel. “You better hope you do outlive us all, because otherwise you’re willing to spend your last days ensuring my misery all while you and Phil land a dealyouwon’t see through.”

I didn’t bother waiting for a response before seeing myself out of his room and down the stairs. I had to go and meet with Keith. Being with him was the only means of happiness I knew these days.

“Kennedy!” My mother was coming down the hall with Cain behind her. She was smiling and flagging me down. “Don’t go, the food is on its way.”

“Excuse me?” I asked.

“Well, I was thinking about how the official engagement party didn’t go so well,” my mother began as she glanced between me and my fiancé. “And, so, I figured it’d be nice to have a personal engagement dinner with the family. Your father’s going to come down and we’ll all eat at the table. I ordered catering.”

Horror washed through me at the idea. “No.”

At my mother’s surprise and Cain’s attention, I quickly went on. “I…I have plans.”

My mother swallowed. “Well, I should’ve considered you were busy. I-I guess we could always reschedule?—”

“Nonsense,” Cain insisted as he came up beside me and placed a hand on my shoulder. “What Kennedy means is, thank you.”

The finality in his words stunned me silent.

My mother frowned. “If Kennedy has plans it’s all right to do this another time.”

Cain regarded me. “What are your plans?”

Oh shit. “Jadyn and I?—”

“Invite her over,” Cain responded before I could finish. He faced my mother. “If that’s all right with you? We’ve been engaged for over a month and I haven’t even met Kennedy’s closest friend.”

My mother’s eyes widened as she looked at me. She felt just as put on the spot as I did. “Well, if it’s no trouble for Kennedy, it would be a treat to have Jadyn over.”

I wanted to speak up, to say that it was an inconvenience to have this impromptu dinner, but I couldn’t. Not when I wasn’t going to see Jadyn, but Keith. “Sounds…good.”

My mother rubbed behind her neck, forcing a smile on her face. “Well then, Irene and I will go and get your father.” She looked toward Cain, studying him. “You can invite your men in. There’ll be plenty of food. And, please, take off your jacket. Get comfortable.”

The moment she stepped away I gathered my cell phone to send Keith a text.

Or so, I’d planned.

One second my phone was in my hand, and the next Cain had it.

“What are you doing?” I snapped.

“You heard her,” Cain replied. “This is a night for family.”

“I have to talk to Jadyn so she can come over,” I said as calmly as possible.

Cain held my phone up. “Then call her. I’ll wait.”

Fuck.

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