forced me to sit across from William.
God, this was awkward.
I didn’t want to look at him because every time I did he was staring me down. I felt like a bug under a microscope. And he didn’t try to hide his gawk. He just kept staring like I was a new toy he wanted to buy.
I didn’t like this one bit.
“So…” My mom turned to William. “Livia is a student at the university.”
“So I’ve heard.” He kept looking at me when he spoke. “Impressive.”
“She’s on the honor roll and she’s diligent in her studies.” My mom was trying to sell me off.
Unbelievable .
“Beauty and brains,” William said quietly. “What a rare find.”
This guy was a creep.
I decided to piss off my parents. “My major is art and I’m an aspiring artist. There’s nothing else I want to do with my life besides doodle with crayons all day.”
My mom shot me a glare.
William took a moment to respond. “The greatest artists of our civilization were some of the most intellectual people, geniuses really.”
My mom tried to repair the damage. “She’s choosing another major…she just hasn’t found the right one.”
“No,” I interjected. “This is my major. I’ll gladly pay for it with my own money if I have to.”
My mom’s cheeks were starting to redden.
Take that, Mom .
She decided on a new tactic. “William’s family is the founder of Cobalt Industries, that biotechnology company right in town.”
Was I supposed to be impressed by that? “Cool.”
“I’m almost finished with my biochemistry Ph.D.,” William said. “And I intend to take over the company.”
“Good for you.” He was a spoiled brat born into money. That didn’t exactly get me hard.
My mom kicked me under the table.
I winced but didn’t react in any other way.
“William is a little older than you,” my dad said. “He’s twenty-seven.”
I knew where this was going…this guy was looking for a prissy, respectable, I do yoga all day long and hire a nanny to take care of my kids, wife. Yeah…not me. “I’m just a child compared to you.”
My mom shot me another glare.
I had to sabotage this meeting so my parents would never try to pull this shit again. Like a dog that pissed in the house, I had to shove their face in their own mess so they wouldn’t make the same mistakes.
We ordered dinner and things started to calm down. When I had delicious food in my face, it was hard to be too upset. And luckily, there was wine on the table.
My savior.
Every time I looked up, William was gawking at me.
“Is there something in my teeth?” I blurted.
He looked uncomfortable. “No…” Then he kept his eyes on his own plate.
That’s what I thought…
At the end of the meal, my parents stood up. “We put our credit card down, so make sure you two order some dessert.” My mom wrapped her shawl around her.
Um…I don’t think so . “No. I’m full.” I tried to stand up but my mom put her hand on my shoulder, making me stay. “William will give you a ride home. Won’t you, dear?”
“Sure.” He gave her a light smile.
“Great.” She patted my shoulder. “You two have fun.”
I hated my parents. I didn’t even feel bad for saying it this time.
When we were alone, the awkwardness set in.
“I’m sorry about my parents,” I said. “They are crazy.”
He ignored the comment. “You’re very beautiful.” His heated eyes bore into mine.
My natural response was to say thank you, but that would encourage his behavior.
“I’m surprised your parents are trying to find you a boyfriend. You can have whatever guy you want, I’m sure.”
“But I’m not looking for a guy—which doesn’t make my parents happy.”
“Well, you should make an exception for me. I come from a wealthy and prestigious family.”
Don’t care.
“I’m going to be the recipient of a billion dollar industry in a few years.”
Still don’t care.
“I’m good company and respectful.”
Not really.
“And I think we’d be a
God, this was awkward.
I didn’t want to look at him because every time I did he was staring me down. I felt like a bug under a microscope. And he didn’t try to hide his gawk. He just kept staring like I was a new toy he wanted to buy.
I didn’t like this one bit.
“So…” My mom turned to William. “Livia is a student at the university.”
“So I’ve heard.” He kept looking at me when he spoke. “Impressive.”
“She’s on the honor roll and she’s diligent in her studies.” My mom was trying to sell me off.
Unbelievable .
“Beauty and brains,” William said quietly. “What a rare find.”
This guy was a creep.
I decided to piss off my parents. “My major is art and I’m an aspiring artist. There’s nothing else I want to do with my life besides doodle with crayons all day.”
My mom shot me a glare.
William took a moment to respond. “The greatest artists of our civilization were some of the most intellectual people, geniuses really.”
My mom tried to repair the damage. “She’s choosing another major…she just hasn’t found the right one.”
“No,” I interjected. “This is my major. I’ll gladly pay for it with my own money if I have to.”
My mom’s cheeks were starting to redden.
Take that, Mom .
She decided on a new tactic. “William’s family is the founder of Cobalt Industries, that biotechnology company right in town.”
Was I supposed to be impressed by that? “Cool.”
“I’m almost finished with my biochemistry Ph.D.,” William said. “And I intend to take over the company.”
“Good for you.” He was a spoiled brat born into money. That didn’t exactly get me hard.
My mom kicked me under the table.
I winced but didn’t react in any other way.
“William is a little older than you,” my dad said. “He’s twenty-seven.”
I knew where this was going…this guy was looking for a prissy, respectable, I do yoga all day long and hire a nanny to take care of my kids, wife. Yeah…not me. “I’m just a child compared to you.”
My mom shot me another glare.
I had to sabotage this meeting so my parents would never try to pull this shit again. Like a dog that pissed in the house, I had to shove their face in their own mess so they wouldn’t make the same mistakes.
We ordered dinner and things started to calm down. When I had delicious food in my face, it was hard to be too upset. And luckily, there was wine on the table.
My savior.
Every time I looked up, William was gawking at me.
“Is there something in my teeth?” I blurted.
He looked uncomfortable. “No…” Then he kept his eyes on his own plate.
That’s what I thought…
At the end of the meal, my parents stood up. “We put our credit card down, so make sure you two order some dessert.” My mom wrapped her shawl around her.
Um…I don’t think so . “No. I’m full.” I tried to stand up but my mom put her hand on my shoulder, making me stay. “William will give you a ride home. Won’t you, dear?”
“Sure.” He gave her a light smile.
“Great.” She patted my shoulder. “You two have fun.”
I hated my parents. I didn’t even feel bad for saying it this time.
When we were alone, the awkwardness set in.
“I’m sorry about my parents,” I said. “They are crazy.”
He ignored the comment. “You’re very beautiful.” His heated eyes bore into mine.
My natural response was to say thank you, but that would encourage his behavior.
“I’m surprised your parents are trying to find you a boyfriend. You can have whatever guy you want, I’m sure.”
“But I’m not looking for a guy—which doesn’t make my parents happy.”
“Well, you should make an exception for me. I come from a wealthy and prestigious family.”
Don’t care.
“I’m going to be the recipient of a billion dollar industry in a few years.”
Still don’t care.
“I’m good company and respectful.”
Not really.
“And I think we’d be a
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