Page 36 of If You Claim Me
She huffs. “You are something else, Connor.”
“So I’ve been told, darling.”
Mildred follows me to the living room. She and Meems greet each other with smiles and hugs. Jealousy over their easy connection makes the back of my neck hot. Would she have accepted a hug from me if I offered it instead of acting like a mannerless brat? If she did, would it be solely out of obligation?
They sit beside each other on the couch, and I take the chair across from them, feeling like I always do—on the outside of everything.
“What did you bring me this week?” Meems peeks in the bag.
“Books two and three in the highland warriors series, and this amazing fall-inspired romance because it fits the season,” Mildred explains.
I fade into the background as they discuss last week’s books.
Eventually Ethel pops in to announce that dinner will be ready in just a few minutes.
“Oh, I should probably go,” Mildred says.
“You should stay,” I jump in, acting normalish for once. “For dinner.”
Meems squeezes her hand. “Please do. Unless you have somewhere else you need to be.”
Mildred nods. “I can stay.”
I don’t know how to read her yet, so I can’t be sure this isn’t an imposition. But she links arms with Meems, and I lead them to the dining room, tucking Meems’s and then Mildred’s chair in before I take my own.
The staff bring dinner to the table.
“This looks amazing,” Mildred says as Ethel plates her chicken and Norm steps in with the light cream sauce. “Thank you so much.”
“I’ll be sure to tell the kitchen staff,” Ethel replies.
Once they’ve finished serving, they leave through the back door, returning to the kitchen.
“It’s like eating in a restaurant every night, isn’t it?” Mildred muses. “But you’re friends with the staff.”
“Tonight is special with the two of you here.” Meems winks, then asks, “I know you’ve just had the engagement party, but have you given any thought to a date for the wedding?”
Mildred almost loses her hold on her knife but manages to recover. “We talked about a short engagement.” She glances at me. “Right, Connor?”
“No point in waiting when we know what we want,” I agree.
The sooner we’re married, the happier Meems will be, the harder it will be for Mildred to find a way out of this.
“Well, that’s wonderful to hear!” Meems dabs at the corners of her mouth with her napkin. “The two of you must be excited to start planning.”
“Absolutely,” Mildred lies smoothly.
“I know you have wonderful friends who will support you, but if you need someone to step in with motherly advice, I’m always here.”
A smile warms my fiancée’s face as she reaches across the table. Meems mirrors the movement, and they curve their fingers together. “Thank you, I really appreciate the offer, Lucy.”
“Meems. Please call me Meems.”
“Thank you, Meems.”
We spend the rest of dinner talking about weddings. Then Meems retires to the guesthouse, and I offer to drive Mildred home.
“I still can’t believe Meems and I didn’t run into each other when we were in Aruba.” She settles in the passenger seat of my car, the space filling with her sweet strawberry-and-vanilla scent.
