Playing Pretend by Juliana Haygert

Author:Juliana Haygert [Haygert, Juliana]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2014-02-25T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Charlotte

After getting home from Washington, I waited for my mother in her study.

I had tried to rehearse what to say, but nothing seemed right. I thought about postponing this conversation, but it wouldn’t be right. I had to do it now, even if I had to make something up on the spot.

Butterflies—of excitement and nervousness—danced in my belly. I couldn’t believe I had given in. I was dating Mason! I could tap dance over my mother’s desk. Then she would ground me for the next century and I wouldn’t be able to sneak out to see Mason.

I watched the clock on the wall. Nine at night on Monday. She was probably out for a business dinner.

Almost an hour later, Peyton walked into the study, her assistant, Sarah, following close.

“Charlotte, what are you doing here?” Peyton asked, strolling to her chair.

I eyed Sarah, then my mother. “Can I talk to you? Privately?”

With narrowed eyes, Peyton nodded to Sarah. When she was gone, my mother sat down and stared at me. “What is it?”

I took a deep breath. “I would like you to stop scheduling dates with Donnie,” I said, willing my voice to be calm and steady. “I don’t like him the way you want me to.”

My mother leaned back in her chair and laughed. “Oh, Charlotte, I thought this was serious.”

“This is serious.”

The smiled slipped off her face. “I don’t see why you don’t like him. He’s handsome, polite, educated, and rich.”

Rich. That should have been the first thing my mother said, since it was probably the first on her list.

“I know—”

“Then why? I don’t understand.”

“He’s not my type, Mom. I don’t think I can fall in love with him.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Charlotte. This was never about falling in love.”

“What?”

“Do you think I was in love with your father when we got married? That came years later.”

So Stone Age. “I’m sorry, but I don’t want a relationship like that.”

My mother’s eyes hardened. “If your father could listen to you right now. He would be heartbroken.”

The your-father card, of course she would throw that at me. “Mom, that’s not—”

“Charlotte, listen to me. Donnie is the perfect man. Just give him a chance and I guarantee you’ll fall in love with him.”

I gave him more than one chance. “You’re not listening to me.”

“No. You’re not listening to me. I’m your mother and I know what’s best for you. Didn’t your father always say that? That you should listen to me because I know what’s best for you? I’m telling you now. You won’t find any man better than Donnie.”

“Mom, please, try to understand.”

“Enough, Charlotte. Donnie deserves a chance and you’ll give him one.” She turned her back to me. “Now let me work. I need to make a call now, if you’ll excuse me.”

I had tried. I had at least tried. I wouldn’t give up yet, but I needed to do this slowly. I came knocking and left a message. Next time, I would force my mother to open the door, even if I wasn’t allowed in.

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