Page 83 of The Mistletoe Bluff
Molly’s cheeks reddened further as she stared at her husband in shock.
“Was that so hard, Mr. Lewis?”Shut up, Maya!I needed to quit while I was ahead, but my big mouth wouldn’t be quiet.
Oliver’s hand found my knee beneath the table and gave it a gentle squeeze.
A cold, calculating gleam entered Leander’s eyes as he stared me down. His gaze flicked from me to Oliver, back and forth several times before he sat back in his chair.
“Oliver tells me you like taking pictures,” he said as he crossed his arms.
I swallowed, trying not to show my irritation at the way he said, “taking pictures.”
“I do.” Was he going to belittle me now like he did Oliver?
“Dad—”
Leander held up a hand, silencing him. “I heard good things about the engagement shoot the two of you did last week.” Leander cocked his head. “The couple was quite pleased. Though, they seemed to be under the impression that Miss Maya was the one in charge.”
Oliver didn’t waste a second in coming to my defense. “I told Maya to take the lead at the shoot.”
Leander’s cold stare settled on his son. “And what right did you have to make that call?”
“Did you have any complaints from them?” Oliver asked instead.
His dad’s eye twitched. “No.”
“Then why does it matter? I made a good call, the couple was happy with their photos, and Maya got to do what she loves.”
Leander turned his dark gaze back to me. “You want to be a photographer.” It wasn’t a question.
I could’ve word vomited all the reasons why I loved photography, all the visions I had for the future, and how much I enjoyed taking photos with Oliver at my side, but I had a feeling that Leander wasn’t interested in any of that. There was a sly look in his eyes, and I would bet money that the more I said, the more he would use and twist against me.
This man didn’t care about my hopes and dreams for the future. The only man in the room who did was Oliver.
“Yes,” I answered.
“And did you know that I am an owner of one of the largest photography agencies in all of England?” His voice was smug, full of sinister pride.
“Yes, I’m aware.”
“Maya,” Leander crooned, and I did not like the sound of my name inhisaccent at all. “Did you know that I am one of the judges for theRising Star Photography Contest?”
The blood drained from my face, down my limbs, and pooled in my toes.Uh-oh.
When I didn’t answer, his grin widened.
Then his gaze snapped to Oliver.
“When you mentioned yourgirlfriend, I did some checking up on her,” Leander said to him.
Then my heart stopped.
“Did you know that she entered the competition?”
Maya
Oliver’s hand tightened on my knee, but his expression remained blank.
Tears burned at the back of my eyes. After all this, all the hatred and bantering turned to love and real feelings, Leander Lewis was about to squash any chance with Oliver I had.
