Free Fighting to Survive (Guarded Hearts Book 3) by Alexis Noelle Page B

isn’t someone you will end up with in the long run, so why lead him on?” I can’t believe she is actually saying these things right now! “I mean, really, his father does construction for a living and his mother is for all purposes a babysitter. What kind of future can he give you without a good background?”
    “Ugh! I can’t believe you! Shawn is a great person and you don’t even know him or his family to judge them. Unlike you, I don’t think money is everything. He treats me right and makes me happy and that’s what matters!” She is such an ass sometimes and I swear if she calls me Cece again I might just scream!
    “Lower your voice, young lady. All I’m saying is there are much better choices out there for you. Like Scott Jameson for example, now there is a boy who has it together.”
    “Mother, for the last time I am not, nor will I ever be interested in Scott.” Scott is the son of one of my father’s business associates. He’s an over-privileged trust fund baby who thinks he can do no wrong. Even just looking at him makes my skin crawl, and my parents have been trying to get us together for the longest time. While I have no interest at all, he thinks I’m just playing hard to get. “If you don’t mind, I would like to finish getting ready.”
    She gives me one of her ‘this discussion isn’t over’ faces and then leaves. I swear she makes me want to scream at the top of my lungs sometimes. Holly always jokes that it’s amazing I turned out normal after living in this house. When we were in high school, she only came over a few times because of how my parents are. It really sucked, too, because we always wanted to come here, but it was just easier not to.
    I always loved going over to her house, though. Her dad was great and he always made me feel so welcome. He was everything I wish I could have had growing up, but it is what it is and I have to deal with it. I’m sure most people would think I sound like a spoiled rich girl, that’s not it at all, though. I know I was privileged to have as much as I did growing up, but money in no way replaces love. Unfortunately, love is the biggest thing my family has always lacked.
    I finish getting ready and then head down to the guest room. When I walk in, he’s just pulling his shirt over his head. He has on a pair of black dress pants, and a light blue shirt. I love when he gets dressed up. Don’t get me wrong, he looks good in everything, but I love him like this. “Good enough to rub elbows with the rich and famous?” He smirks at me and I can’t help but laugh.
    I walk up to him and wrap my arms around his neck. “I really don’t care about all the rich snobs who will be there. You’re more than good enough for me.” I stand on my tip-toes and kiss him before I hear someone clear their throat behind me. I turn around and my dad is standing there.
    “Your mother asked me to come tell you we need to leave.” He turns around and walks back down the hallway. Just great. I couldn’t be dreading this night any more.

Chapter Twelve
     
Shawn
     
    When we walk into the club, I have to work at not letting my jaw hit the floor. This place is really nice. Everyone here has some sort of expensive name brand on and enough jewelry to probably double what I paid for my truck last year. Christen squeezes my hand and I look down at her. I knew she was nervous about me feeling out of place, and now I see why. I smile down at her, letting her know I’m fine and try to get a hold of myself.
    As ridiculous as it sounds, I feel like they all know I’m wearing a shirt I picked up from Wal-Mart for eight dollars. I honestly don’t care what these people think of me, but I do care what her parents think. Even though I know they don’t have the best relationship, I also know she really wants their approval. We walk into the dinner area and are shown to a table by a waiter in a suit, even the waiters are dressed better than I am.
    When we sit down, I