Page 17 of No Rings Attached
A strangled gasp from her mother pulled me back to reality, and I reluctantly broke the kiss. Pride filled me at Ellie’s dazed expression, flushed face, and puffy lips.
I slid my arm around her, tugging her to me until she nestled against my side. She rested her hand on my chest. We stood together as a unified front against the woman on the screen.
Her mother cleared her throat. “Well, I guess youdohave a boyfriend. I still don’t like the fact that he’s your boss. Please tell me this isn’t so you can get a better position in the company.”
What the hell was wrong with this woman?
Ellie’s face paled. A tremble ran through her body, making me want to throw her over my shoulder and take her away from this horrible conversation. Just from the little I heard from this woman solidified that she didn’t deserve to have such a sweet, tender-hearted daughter.
Glamma pursed her lips and drew in a deep breath through her nose. All signs that she was about to explode in anger.
She kept her cool, but didn’t miss the chance to land a well-deserved scolding. “Mrs. Remington. Now that we’ve had the chance to meet, it’s hard to believe that you and Ellie are related. I can clearly see how stark the differences are.”
Ellie’s mom snapped her mouth shut, then opened and closed it again. Her eyes narrowed as she likely tried to determine if Glamma’s observation was a compliment.
My lovely assistant’s gaze met mine and I said what was on my mind. “Ellie is sunshine personified and the most intelligent person I know. I’m insulted on both our behalf that you would dare accuse her of sleeping with me to get a promotion. Your daughter would never compromise her job like that and I’m lucky she even allowed me to pursue her.”
Ellie’s eyes were watering, so I gave her another squeeze. Had anyone ever defended her from the sharp tongue of her mother? Likely not, from her reaction.
“I call it like I see it,” the woman replied in a patronizing, singsong voice. “And when someone?—”
“Is there anything else you need?” Ellie cut in. I hated the resigned, defeated sound of her voice.
“The wedding location, Eleanor. There’s been an issue with the place your sister chose and we need to reschedule or find another venue. They had a water leak in the rooms we reserved.” Her mother somehow was able to make the damage sound like it was a personal attack by her displeased tone.
Ellie opened her mouth to respond but her mother kept going.
“We had to change the original date. Your sister’s sponsors and her fans are expecting to see a wedding within three months now. And we had the most brilliant idea.” Her mother paused, and I had a feeling that when she needed to, Mrs. Remington could rival Glamma in the theatrics department.
“Oh?” Ellie answered weakly.
Her mother smiled. It was the complete opposite of the wide one Ellie used when she was genuinely happy. Her mother’s seemed forced, cold, calculating even. “Yes! Celia said small-town, country weddings are all the rage. And when she heard you’d be in Ruby River, she decided it was kismet. It’ll be quaint and exactly what she needs to satisfy her fans.”
“Ruby River.” Ellie repeated her voice going flat. I squeezed her to me, as though I could protect her in some way. “Here? Where I am right now?”
“Yes, Eleanor. Honestly, keep up. And since youarethere, you can do the legwork for us. There’s got to be a place there dying to make a little extra money. And you can run point for us before we arrive in two days to find vendors and plan everything.”
“In two days?”
Ellie’s mom harrumphed her displeasure at the luke-warm response she was getting.
“Mother, I’m working. I can’t?—”
“Clearly, youcanget time off, if you’re actually dating your boss.” Her gaze flicked over to me and a second later dismissed me.
Wow, this woman was an asshole.
“Mother! This is my job. I can’t expect Drew to give me time off because you’re demanding it.” Ellie’s blue eyes glimmered with an unspoken apology.
“I’ll email the requirements for you to consider when you look at locations. I have to go. I’ll touch base with you later, Eleanor.” And with that, her face disappeared from the screen.
“I … I don’t even know what to say right now.” Ellie’s whole body sagged. If I hadn’t been holding her, she’d likely have ended up on the floor.
I gently guided her toward the couch on the far wall, keeping her by my side as we sat down. Glamma took the chair next to us and handed Ellie her phone.
“Well, she’s a piece of work,” Glamma said dryly.
Ellie shrugged. “I’m so sorry you had to hear that.”
