Page 151 of Heart of Stone

“They showed up unexpectedly,” Krystina clarified. “Had I known, I –.”

“If you two have plans, don’t let us get in the way,” Elizabeth Long cut in. “Go on ahead, honey. I’ll just go shopping with Allyson. Besides, Frank is wiped out. I think there’s a football game on that he wants to watch anyway. We’ll catch up later on, or perhaps tomorrow.”

“Michigan State, my alma mater,” Frank chimed in. “They’re playing Iowa tonight.”

“Wait, you want me to go out?” Krystina incredulously asked her mother. She seemed completely floored.

“Why wouldn’t I?” Elizabeth said innocently. A little too innocently in my opinion, and I was curious as to what went down before I arrived.

“Because you just said…” Krystina trailed off. She looked at me, seeming completely at a loss. It was if she was torn between visiting with her family and spending time with me. However, I sensed that there was more to it than just that.

Much more.

“Krystina, if you want to go shopping, that’s fine with me,” I offered, trying to lighten her burden of making a choice. “I can stay here and watch the game with Mr. Long until you get back.”

She looked absolutely appalled by the idea, and I had to stifle a smirk.

“No, that’s okay,” she vehemently shook her head. “We can still go on as planned.”

“Whatever works. But in the meantime, I have a suggestion. The night is young,” I stated, turning to address everyone else in the room. “Assuming that it won’t impede on the shopping trip, why don’t the five of us share a pre-dinner cocktail? I’m sure these ladies keep a decent stock, and I’ve been told that I can mix an excellent Manhattan.”

Everyone just stared at each other awkwardly for a minute upon hearing my proposition. Frank was the first to speak up.

“I think that’s a great idea, don’t you Lizzie?” he said to his wife. “We’ve come all this way, and I’d like to get to know this gentleman that Krys has taken a liking to.”

“Sounds like a good plan to me,” Allyson agreed. She was still carefully scrutinizing me, and I knew that she was seizing the opportunity to get to know me as well.

Deciding not to wait on the approval from mother and daughter, I went to the kitchen and began pulling out glasses from a cabinet.

“Allyson, could you point me in the direction of your liquor stash?” I asked, using the occasion to engage Krystina’s roommate. Allyson wasn’t the only one with an agenda. My hope was that after a drink or two, she would begin to warm up to me.

“I’ll show him,” Krystina offered, jumping up to assist me instead.

Once we were out of earshot from everyone, Krystina swooped in like a vulture.

“What are you doing?” she hissed.

“Well, as soon as you get me the things that I need, I’ll be mixing drinks.”

She smirked at me and handed me a bottle of red vermouth that she had retrieved from a nearby hutch.

“You know what I mean, Alex.”

“Relax, angel. Everyone’s wound a little tight. I’m just helping to ease the tension in this place.” I took the liquor from her and leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Because when we are done here, I thought that we might hit aclubtonight.”

To my satisfaction, her eyes grew big. She had caught my meaning.

“A club?”

“Yes, assuming that you’re up for it,” I taunted.

“Well, yes…yes, it’s fine,” she stammered, sounding fairly stunned.

“Good. I was hoping that you’d say that.” I finished pouring the whiskey and topped off each of the five drinks with maraschino cherries. Handing two glasses to Krystina, I gave her a smile of reassurance and said, “Now, let’s go entertain your guests. Shall we?”

CHAPTER 42

Alexander and I stepped out of my apartment building and into the foggy night. The storm had fully passed, leaving a damp feel to the air in its wake.

---