Page 151 of Obey

“Mother, we’re running late for our reservation.” But the woman barely acknowledges him. She shifts her attention to me, sizing me up with a flash of interest I usually see only in board meetings.

“And this must be…?”

Sloane’s smile couldn’t be any bigger as she grabs my hand and introduces me. “Francis, Regina. This is my boyfriend, Nathaniel Blackwell. Honey, this is Francis and Regina Lane; I grew up with them.”

“Sweetheart, why so formal?” Regina chatters playfully. “Sloane is like a daughter to us. Right, Francis?”

Francis doesn’t answer; his attention is on me, and the recognition is immediate. “Nathaniel Blackwell. My office reached out to SOLAÉ regarding a potential strategic investment.”

“I received the inquiry.”I say flatly, having no intention to elaborate.

Preston’s expression flickers, and it's the first time I’ve seen genuine concern from him all evening.

“Dad, you didn’t tell me you’d reached out to SOLAÉ,” he says to his father.

“If you showed up to work, you would know.” Francis looks at me, then back at his son. “Mr. Blackwell and his partners are known throughout San Francisco for vision, drive, and delivering on their word. I work with people who finish what they start.”

Preston’s face colors.

“Interesting. Your proposal emphasized judgment, discretion, and long-term value. I hadn’t realized those standards were aspirational.”

Francis Lane’s gaze lands back on me. “I’m not sure I follow, Mr. Blackwell.”

I let a smile edge in. “Your Vice President appears uniquely qualified to explain the discrepancy.”

Preston’s mask finally cracks as he looks from me to his father. Regina looks between her son and Sloane, confusion deepening. “What exactly happened here?”

“Nothing,” Preston says too quickly.

Sloane shakes her head, not even the last bit surprised that he’s taking the coward’s way out. “Preston cheated on me… with the woman he brought to dinner tonight.”

Silence drops over the group.

Preston’s date jerks her hand from his.

His mother goes pale. “What?”

“Mom—”

“He cheated,” Sloane repeats. “And apparently told everyone something else.”

Mrs. Lane turns slowly toward her son. “You told us she ended the engagement.”

“She did.”

“After I caught you screwing someone else in our bed,” Sloane says. “That part usually matters.”

Preston drags a hand over his face. “This is ridiculous. We had problems long before that.”

“We did.” Sloane nods. “You spent years convincing me every problem between us started with something I wanted. Affection. Sex. Praise. Hell, sometimes I just wanted you to act like you liked being around me.”

His mother’s expression crumples, but Sloane isn’t looking at her anymore.

She’s looking only at him.

“And when I finally stopped believing there was something wrong with me, I realized how much easier your life had been when I did.”

“You’re really going to humiliate me in front of my parents?”