Page 54 of Fake Fiancée for Dad's Best Friend
“Soon,” Alex says. “Mark texted me ten minutes ago saying he got them already.”
“Then I’d better hurry,” I say and start doing the dishes.
I’ve barely put on a dress when the doorbell chimes. Soon I hear Karen and Mike’s voices and rush to the living room. “Hi, Keren and Mike!” I get to the foyer the moment Alex closes the door.
“Hi, Vivian!” They smile and hug me.
Alex helps his dad carry the luggage into the room they’ll stay, leaving Karen and me in the living room.
She looks as good as when I last saw her. Her hair is recently trimmed and dyed, and she looks sharp in her green floral shirt over white cotton pants.
But there’s something different about her. Her smile isn’t as bright, and she seems a bit sad, or maybe she’s tired from lack of sleep last night.
“Would you like some coffee?” I ask her.
“No, I’m fine, honey,” she says. “I could use some water, though.”
I go into the kitchen and bring her a glass of water.
“How’s everything, Vivian?” she asks after taking a sip. “Haven’t changed your mind about going to Paris?”
I blink at the unexpected question. Does she have a problem with that? What am I supposed to say?
“Not…yet,” I say with a chuckle in order not to sound rude. “I’ve already registered for classes.”
“I see,” she nods with a smile. Her expression is hard to read.
“Are you sure you want to leave Alex alone here for a year? He’s older than you but still very attractive.”
My mouth opens, but all I do is chuckle. What is she trying to get at? “I…err,” I stammer with burning cheeks. “I trust him.” Jeez. Where does that come from? I’m the biggest and the worst liar on earth. Just last night, I was tortured by jealousy over Trisha.
Karen is going to speak again when Alex and Mike return to the living room. I change the topic right away by asking Mike whether I could bring him a drink.
“Sure, I’d like a scotch if you’ve got any,” he says.
I’m a bit taken aback because it seems to be too early in the day. Karen obviously agrees with me. “He’s only kidding,” she says to me. “Just give him an orange juice, if you have any. If not, water will do.”
“I was not!” Mike says, slightly protesting as he follows me into the kitchen.
As I’m wondering what to do, Alex says to his dad, “We’re going out for lunch soon, Dad. And you can order drinks then.”
“Sure,” Mike says with a shrug.
I pour him a glass of juice, puzzling over Mike’s strange behavior. He wasn’t that fond of alcohol when I visited them a month ago.
Chapter 23
Alex
When my dad and Vivian are out at the balcony talking, I ask Mom, “Is Dad all right? He seems to be a bit off.”
My mom’s face falls right away, and her smile turns into a grimace as she is evidently trying to fight her emotions. “I don’t mean to tell you so soon, but Alex, I’m afraid I have bad news.”
I’ve bad feelings about their sudden visit, but my heart still drops at her words. “What is it?”
“Your dad…remember that you thought your dad had lost weight? I finally convinced him to see a doctor.”
“What did the doctor say?”
