Page 63 of Kiss Me Forever

"Of course you do." She drew in a breath, knowing it was time to cut to the chase. "Alex, we have to talk."

"I have to take Tyler to school in a few minutes."

"You can't keep putting me off."

"I'm just stating a fact."

"Well, we have a few minutes," she said with determination. "Why did you lie to me about your parents dying in a car accident?"

He let out a heavy sigh. "I first gave that answer about eight years ago. Someone threw the question out at me, and that seemed the simplest explanation. Once it was in print, I let it go."

"How did they die?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

She stared at him in frustration. "You told me you would answer my questions."

"Why does it matter?" he countered. "My parents are not responsible for the man I am today. They were gone a long time ago. I am a self-made man, and that's the story I want you to write, because that's the truth. I built my business from nothing. I achieved my goals, and I give back wherever I can. Why isn't that enough for you?"

She ignored his question. "Who sleeps in the pink and white bedroom upstairs that looks like a little girl's dream room?"

The color drained from his face. "You snooped around my house when I was asleep?"

"Yes," she admitted. "And once again you haven't answered my question."

"It was furnished for some girls I thought might be coming to visit, but they didn't. End of story."

She didn't think they were anywhere close to the end of his story. In fact, they were finally beginning. "What girls? Are they relatives? Are they like Tyler—kids who need a parental role model?" She paused. "Are they your daughters?"

"No!" he said vehemently. "Why would you ask me that?"

"It's not an illogical question."

"I don't have any children, Andrea. Are we done?"

"You know we're not."

He looked back at her, all warmth gone from his eyes. "Well, we're finished for now. I'm going to drive Tyler to school. I'll call you a cab."

"We could talk after you drop him off."

"No, we can't," he said firmly. "I have meetings at the office."

She had no idea if that was true or just another stall, but Alex was up and out of the room before she could say another word.

She cleared the table, rinsing the dishes and putting them in the dishwasher. She was just wiping down the counter when Alex's phone began to buzz. She glanced over at it, seeing a text message that made her heart skip a beat.

I'll be at Pier 39 at four o'clock in front of the carousel. Please come. Mom.

Mom?

She was stunned at the three-letter word.

Alex's mother was dead. Wasn't she?

She jumped as the kitchen door opened, but it wasn't Alex, it was Tyler.

"Alex wanted me to grab his phone and tell you that a car service will meet you out front in five minutes. He said just to shut the door behind you. It automatically locks."

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