Bad Bridesmaid (Billionaire's Club Book 11) by Elise Faber (important books to read txt) 📕

Only this time, she’d managed to squeeze out a few more words.

Barely.

“Baby,” he whispered. “No one is upset at you.”

She knew that—well, she supposed she knew that, but . . . how could they not be mad at her? It was her mom that had ruined the fun night, her mom who’d said all the rude things. It was absolutely despicable, the way her mother had acted.

“I had to battle Kate and both of our mothers for the privilege to make sure you’re okay.”

She winced. “They should just get on with their meal.”

“We should get on with our dessert before my dad gorges himself on the rest of the chocolate cake.” She smiled, thinking it had definitely been gorge-worthy, or at least the one bite of it she’d managed to eat had been absolutely delicious before her mom had gone on her tear. “Plus, when everyone is done, we’re going to play Ticket to Ride.” He laughed. “And I should warn you, my mom has been practicing since Marabelle destroyed her so incredibly badly last time.”

Somehow, despite the scene in the dining room, this man still made her laugh.

“There it is,” he whispered.

“There’s what?”

“The laugh that makes my heart fill with joy.” He cupped the side of her neck, drew her against him once again. “Baby, no one cares that your mom is the worst, and certainly not the Moms. They’ve decided to make you an official Huntington-McLeod adopted daughter, and their pledge is to ensure that you understand you’re, quote ‘beautiful, smart, and beyond wonderful’—all of which are true, by the way.” His thumb brushed across her cheek, and she realized she was crying. “I’d also add strong, sexy as shit with Viking braids, and so fucking funny that you give my banter skills a run for the money.”

“Brad,” she whispered.

“So, good luck dealing with the pair of them,” he said. “In fact, I heard Marabelle plotting with my mom that they were going to wrap you up in so much love you would never be able to escape.”

She sighed. “They really are quite wonderful.”

“You say that now,” he teased, then loosened his hold, lacing their fingers together and drawing her toward the house. “Come on, let’s go cheat by working together so neither of our moms can get the most successful railroad.”

“Wait.”

He stopped. “What, baby?”

“Are you sure no one is mad?” Her teeth found her bottom lip, nibbled lightly. “I ruined their night and—”

He kissed her gently and filled with so much love and tender affection that she felt her heart melt. “I can absolutely promise you that no one is mad.” He paused. “Well, no one currently allowed in Marabelle’s house. Your mom on the other hand . . .”

She tugged her hand free, covered her face, groaning. “I hate that I didn’t stand up for myself.”

He came close again, rubbed his hand up and down her back. “You know what the great part about being in a relationship is?”

Her shoulders relaxed the slightest bit. “Besides the copious amount of orgasms?”

A smile. “Yes, besides those.”

“I don’t know,” she said. “What?”

“That you don’t have to fight all of your battles alone.”

“Look at you, sounding all logical.” She wrinkled her nose. “Of course, I know you’re right, and I do thank you for standing up for me. Knowing that you’d go to bat for me, even in an uncomfortable situation . . . it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.”

“Does that mean you love me even more?”

She made a face. “Not that your ego needs it, but yes. You saying those things, sticking up for me . . . yes, I love you even more.”

The breeze picked up, rustling through her hair, making her shiver.

“You’re cold.” He bundled her against his warm chest, wrapping his arms tightly around her. “Let’s go inside.”

She let him lead her toward the house. “I just wish I could have said . . .” She trailed off, realization finally dawning on her, making her go still in his arms, her brain putting the puzzle pieces together.

“What, baby?” he prompted.

“It wouldn’t have mattered what I said, would it?”

He just stroked a hand down her spine, let her continue to think about that. After a moment, she shook her head. “No,” she murmured. “I don’t think it would have.”

Brad loved her. He had her back. And further that, her dad, who normally was so deep in his own head had recognized she needed that, too, needed someone to build her up rather than tear her down. She supposed that her mom also loved her, at least in some unhealthy way, a way that made it so she would never turn down an opportunity to make Heidi feel small.

But that didn’t have anything to do with her.

Did that suck?

Hell yeah.

Did that make a part of her feel like shit?

Hell fucking yeah.

But could she truly do anything to change her mother’s behavior? No.

Nothing she did would ever make her mom change. So, she could only alter her reaction, adjust her expectations. Heidi could work on extracting herself from the situations, make sure she didn’t allow herself to be waylaid into scenarios she didn’t want to participate in. She could keep her distance from her mom, only allow the interactions she was comfortable with.

And . . . she could continue surrounding herself with people who loved her for who she was.

Who didn’t see her as a failure.

Who instead saw her flaws and loved her all the more for them.

“Heidi.”

She stopped and stared up at him. “I love you.”

His face softened. “I love you.” Fingers on her cheek. “I’ll love you until—”

“Come on already!” Jaime shouted from the door. “Just kiss her until she gets all dopey and forgets what happened. Then we’ll convince her we don’t care what happened—”

“Unless, of course, she beats me in Ticket to Ride,” Marabelle called. “Then all bets are off!”

Heidi had frozen at the sound of Jaime’s voice.

The addition of Marabelle’s made her smile.

Brad smoothed back her hair.