Page 28 of Kiss Me Forever

Her hand paused when a knock came at her door.

"Andrea? Don't put up your hair, okay?"

She didn't answer, caught between wanting to please him and wanting to feel more like a reporter than a date. She didn't usually let men dictate how she dressed or wore her hair, but there was something about his plea that got to her. So she gave in. They were going to a cocktail party, after all. Since she already had the dress on, she might as well go the rest of the way.

When she returned to the living room, Alex was standing in front of her bookshelves, examining the titles with open curiosity. He pulled out a thick volume that dissected World War II in fifty-six chapters. "Do you have insomnia? Because if so I can think of better ways to relax."

"It's a very interesting book."

"You've read all one-thousand pages?" he asked doubtfully.

"Actually I've never gotten past chapter four. The book belonged to my father. He was a history fanatic."

Alex waved his hand toward the bookshelf. "And the other military books?"

"All his. He loved spy stories. If he hadn't been such a good journalist, I think he might have joined the CIA. As it was, he was quite a legend in the news business. I'm not sure I can ever reach his level." Her voice cracked with emotion. "Sorry. I get a little carried away when I think about him. He died a long time ago. You'd think I'd be over it by now."

"Some things you never get over,'' Alex said, as a strong current of understanding flowed between them. "It looks like you're following in his footsteps. I'm sure he'd be proud."

"I hope so."

"Tell me about the rest of your family. Are you close to your mother?"

"We talk quite often, but we're very, very different. She does not get me, and I do not get her."

"What about your sister?"

"We're quite close. We're fraternal twins, and we're nothing alike, either, but there's a strong bond between us. I would do anything for her, and she would do anything for me." Andrea paused. "Laurel is getting married in a few weeks. I love her husband, and I'm super happy for her, but I do wonder sometimes how it will change our relationship."

"I guess that depends on how hard you work to keep your bond strong."

"I should probably work harder even now I tend to get obsessed with work and let everything else go. I'm Laurel's maid of honor, and I've been a huge slacker when it comes to the wedding plans. Thankfully, Laurel has a big wedding party so our other friends have been picking up the slack."

"I've never understood the big wedding party. Why does anyone need a dozen bridesmaids and groomsmen to get them down the aisle?"

"It's a celebratory send-off. And Laurel had to have seven bridesmaids because of a pact we made in college. I told you that we were part of a really tight group of friends. The day before we graduated we all went out together and swore that even if we drifted apart or ended up on opposite sides of the country, we would commit to coming back for each of our weddings, and we wouldn't let any excuses get in the way."

"That sounds—optimistic," Alex said with a dry smile.

She nodded. "Our promise didn't even make it two months. Jessica got married in a courthouse wedding with no bridesmaids because she found out she was pregnant. We were all really pissed off at her. But she also got divorced two years later, so after that we decided it was even more important that we keep our promise.

Laurel is the first to marry with all of us in the wedding, and I can't wait. Some of us live in the Bay Area, but it's been a long time since we were all together."

"You're lucky to have a close family and good friends."

"I am," she agreed. "And once again I am doing all the talking. We're going to have to switch that up sometime."

"Well, not right this second. We should get on the road."

"There's always a time issue when it's your turn to speak."

He shrugged. "We'll have to manage the clock a bit better."

"Oh, I think you're managing it quite well," she said dryly.

He gave her a smile. "There will be time for us to talk later."

"I hope you're right."

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