“No.” I shifted uncomfortably. I didn’t want to go into detail about my complicated relationship with Serena. It couldn’t be love because it seemed to me love would be easier than whatever it was that I had with her. “But I’m not going to have my life dictated anymore. Besides, I invest my money. Plus, I learned a lot during my time in Europe. I can build my own billion-dollar company.”
She snorted. “I love that. Mom and Dad sent you away to make you grow up, but didn’t count on you growing balls too.”
I rolled my eyes. “My balls were always there.”
“That’s what the rumor is. So does Evie know you’re not marrying her?”
“She wants to marry me even less than I want to marry her.” I leaned forward in case there were prying eyes. “She’s seeing Jasper Lassiter. But don’t tell.”
Bri gaped. “As in Lowcountry Sinners the southern rock band’s Jasper Lassiter?” she asked.
“Yep.”
“Wow.” She sat back and looked like she was taking in the news. “But no one else knows?”
I shook my head. “No.”
“Maybe if the parents knew they’d back off you two.”
I laughed. “Can you imagine Mrs. Winthrop hearing Evie is seeing Lassiter?”
“She’d stroke out.”
“Right.”
Bri’s brows furrowed. “So, what were you and Evie doing hiding at the party if you weren’t showing her those big balls you say you have.”
For a young woman from a high society family, Bri could be so low class sometimes.
“While I was gone in Europe, our supposed betrothal never came up, so we both thought the families had forgotten. But once I got back, both our families were ready to send out the invites. She and I were trying to come up with a plan to get them off our backs.”
“How’s that working?”
“I think Mom believes when I say that I’ll walk away.”
“Walk away from what?” My mother entered the room, looking rich and regal. It appeared that she’d dressed up for dinner.
“You’re watching Downton Abbey again, aren’t you Mom?” Bri asked with a shake of her at Mom’s fancy dress.
“It’s a sign of respect to dress for dinner.”
I looked down at my Polo shirt and jeans and then over at Bri, who wore a hoodie. “I have more respect than you,” I said to Bri.
“You always were a kiss ass.”
“Brianna!” My mother’s shrill voice made both me and Bri flinch and then laugh.
“What’s for dinner?” my father said entering. He wasn’t in a full suit, but he did have dark slacks and a crisp button shirt. I suspect my mother was going to let him off the hook because ties were difficult for him to tie these days. I watched as he made his way to the table. His gait was slow and stiff. Was it worse than it had been? I realized I hadn’t been paying much attention lately.
“It’s a roast with potatoes and asparagus,” my mother said sitting at her end of the table.
“I’m a vegetarian,” Bri said.
My mother looked horrified. My father rolled his eyes.
“That’s why she lives on vodka,” I said. “A full potato diet.”
Bri grinned at me.
“Why can’t we have a nice dinner without all the silliness. I swear. The two of you have never grown up.”
“Sure we have. Devin was just telling me about his big balls.”
My father choked and my mother glared. “That’s enough Brianna.”
She shrugged. “Maybe you’d rather talk about who Dev is banging these days that has him willing to walk away from his fortune.”
Now I was annoyed. “You really need to be sent to your room.” I glared at Bri.
“Is that true, Devin? You’re seeing someone?” My father snapped open his napkin and laid it on his lap. Carl, one of several servants my parents employed, rolled a cart in with our dinner on it. He served my mother first.
Annoyed, I said, “There’s a woman I’m interested in.” I couldn’t be sure I could call what we were doing as “seeing” each other.
“Is it serious?” my father asked.
I shrugged. “It’s too early to tell.”
“Who is it?” Of course, my mother would go right to that. She’d want to make sure the woman was worthy of a Roarke. Serena was, but my mother wouldn’t think so. Serena was aware of this. I wanted to reassure her that I didn’t care about pedigree, but I wasn’t sure I succeeded.
“You wouldn’t know her,” I said.
Bri gave me a look like two plus two were coming together. It would be too much to hope that she’d keep it to herself.
“Is it the event planner? It must be. She wasn’t too thrilled to see you hiding with Evie.” She gave herself a smack in the forehead. “No wonder you told me to stop saying you were engaged. She’s the one I told.”
“Event planner?” my mother’s voice was tight.
Not wanting to get Serena in trouble, I said, “No. That would be wrong. She could lose her job for that.”
Bri smirked. I hadn’t fooled her.
“You know, Devin, we all know that young men like to play the field a bit, but it’s time for you to get serious. You need to be more discriminating. There are women who’ll pretend to love you just to get at your money.”
I looked at my mother. “What do you think marrying Evie would be about? Pretending to love for money.”
“Not money. Breeding. Status. I know you think that’s not important, but it is.”
“They might be gold diggers,” Bri said.
“Thank you.” Maybe Bri was on my side after all.
“They might like him for his other assets.”
I choked on my potato.
“Are you being vulgar again?” my mother asked Bri.
“The point is, I’m not an idiot. If I can run a multi-million dollar business, I can probably pick a wife.” I shook my head. “Which I’m not doing, at least not anytime soon.”
“Why not?” my father asked. “There’s nothing wrong with settling down, son.”
“I’m not going to get married just to be married. You make it part of a job, when
