Luckily, it wasn't her mother who answered the door. It was a tall man in a suit that looked like it had been around for the last 50 years; a butler. He gestured them to go to the dining room where a group of overdressed people sipping out of champagne flutes. Clarke spotted her mother near the front of the group chatting it up with the Colemans. Was she really still pushing that one?
She met eyes with her ex and looked away quickly, inadvertently squeezing Vince's hand harder. Hopefully her mother hadn't already talked to him and set up some kind of old world betrothal; not that Clarke would put that past her.
"Oh, Clarke!" her mother called, weaving through the crowd to get to her, causing everyone to turn their heads and watch. It was the only time her mother would even pretend to be enthused with her presence. Her mother got to them and leaned over far, kissing Clarke on each cheek like some French movie star. Clarke didn't respond, just plastered an even smile on her face. Mrs. Bennett was wearing a fur shrug that made Clarke feel sick over a dark green wrap dress that probably cost way more than it was worth. "So, I see you brought your boyfriend," her mother said with a wink. It was going to be even harder to convince her mother than she thought.
Vince let go of her hand and snaked his arm around her body to her hip, tugging her to him. Clarke mirrored his stance, taking cues from him. She would have to leave the talking up to him since he definitely seemed to be more convincing than she was. "It's nice to see you again Mrs. Bennett," Vince said, nodding to her. Mrs. Bennett's eyes trailed down to where their hands were and back up, making her disposition turn as she narrowed her eyes.
"Same to you," she replied, a little shorter. "Well, now that everyone's finally here," she said loudly, like she wanted people to know it was Clarke and Vince holding everyone up even though they were on time according to the information they'd been given. "We can all have a seat and get started." She waved her hand in the air and ushered the couple towards two seats that were labeled with name cards. It put Clarke between Vince and her mother, and they were directly across from the Colemans. It was clearly a purposeful setup.
Clarke bounced her knee under the table nervously as two butlers in suits came around; one with plates and silverware and the other following with food. She watched as everyone smoothed napkins over their laps with perfection and sat up straight in their chairs. Clarke was sure her back would break if she tried to sit that straight. As the men came up to them, Vince's hand slid over to her knee to still her leg. His hand felt warm and strangely calming. She glanced over at him for only a second to see him mouth, "Calm down." Then, she watched her plate as the second man placed two meatballs in some kind of sauce that smelled unappetizing on her plate.