Page 48 of Forgotten Prejudice

“It can wait for later.” I smiled at her. “Now, let’s go.”

I put the camera back in the bag before getting out of the truck, with Mom and Aiden doing the same. My heart raced fast in my chest as I crossed the street to get to the restaurant. I was worried things wouldn’t go well, but once I spotted Soren, looking as handsome as ever with a bouquet of flowers, all my nerves and fears disappeared.

“Hey,” I blurted awkwardly once reaching him.

Soren’s smile grew, and he leaned close, his lips grazing my ear. “Congratulations, little Sparrow,” he whispered before planting a kiss on my cheek. He then straightened up and gave me the flowers.

Thankfully, I was standing with my back to my family, so they didn’t see how red my face turned, and while I took a few more seconds to calm down, Soren had already introduced himself.

“Soren Dane,” he said to my family before offering to shake Mom’s hand. “I’m happy to finally meet you.”

“My God, you are handsome!” Mom bluntly ignored Soren’s outstretched hand and pulled him into one of her bear hugs. Soren seemed surprised by the act but brushed it off with a low chuckle.

“No wonder Ash is so obsessed.” She beamed, squeezing Soren tighter.

“Mom,” I whined, knowing it would be one long lunch after she crossed her arms with Soren’s.

At least they seem to be getting along.

“Are your parents not joining us?” I asked when I noticed they weren’t here.

Soren answered me with a soft smile. “Unfortunately, something came up, and they couldn’t make it. But they’ve sent us the finest champagne as an apology.”

“Oh, well, we’ll have to meet them the next time, right?” Mom jumped in, sounding cheerful.

“Absolutely.” Soren smiled, then stepped closer to me.

“Shouldn’t we get inside? I’m starving.” And nervous.

“We should, but first, I need to give you your gift.” Moving from my mom, Soren stopped before me, then pulled something out of his pocket and put it in my hand.

“That’s…” My words were cut off as I looked up from the car keys he’d just given me to the brand-new Jeep parked behind him. “You gotta be shitting me,” I gasped, my eyes going wide and my lips curving into a huge smile before I dashed toward the car.

“I knew you’d like it,” Soren chuckled while I opened the front door and got into my new Jeep. For fuck’s sake, it was absolutely insane.

I was so caught up with my gift and how good the scent of a new car was that I almost didn’t notice Mom’s reaction until she cleared her throat. One glance at her and Aiden told me they weren’t as excited about Soren’s gift as I was, and the look on their faces was like a splash of ice water.

“Is everything okay, beautiful? You don’t like the color?” Soren asked, his voice low so only I could hear.

I shook my head. “No, it’s not that.” I moved my hands over the steering wheel before meeting Soren’s silver eyes. “It’s perfect.”

His lips stretched up, and he pinched my cheek. “You’re perfect.”

His words, sweet and adoring, were the only confirmation I needed, and satisfied, I got out of the car.

Soren’s pick of a restaurant was impeccable, and I was grateful that he took my family to such a nice place. And although the conversation was flowing just like the champagne Soren had ordered for the table, I knew my mom had something weighing on her heart. The slight annoyance had shown on her face ever since Soren had gifted me the car, and while I understood the reason for her discomfort, as it was an excessive gift, I hoped she’d be able to contain it. Sure, a car was an expensive gift, but such money meant nothing to Soren. Over the year we’d been together, I’d gotten used to him being generous with his wealth. Unfortunately, while I felt comfortable with his gift, my family clearly didn’t.

“This lunch was so lovely, Soren, and I’m so happy to finally meet you,” Mom started saying after the waitress cleaned up our table from the main course. “But—”

“Mom.” Knowing where she was heading, I tried stopping her, but she went on.

“I think your gift to Ash, as thoughtful as it was, is inappropriate.”

My eyes quickly moved to Soren’s, and worried, I watched him putting down his wineglass before returning Mom a thoughtful smile.

“And why’s that?”

Mom’s brows pulled into a frown. “Well, it’s too much. Besides, Ash already has a car.”