Page 50 of Close Match
“His partner? I didn’t know he was involved with anyone.” I’m not surprised he’s involved with someone. I didn’t realize he was already spoken for when he asked me out. I get lost for a second remembering the look in those dark lashes over those intoxicating eyes as he asked if he could give me a tour of the city.
Charlotte breaks me out of my reverie. “Not that kind of partner, sweetheart.” At my pronounced confusion, she clarifies, “Remember, when Monty left the military, he went to work for the NCIS? Shaun was his partner there.”
“That’s right. So, what I know about NCIS is summed up through the very special agent I get to see through reruns of the TV show. But I have to ask if Monty did half of what they do on the show, how did you not know who I was?”
A slow smile breaks out across Char’s face. “Ev made Monty swear he wouldn’t use his old contacts to look into you. Quite simply, it’s driving him insane.”
I still. “But it won’t stop them after they meet me tonight,” I whisper.
Char lays her hand across mine. “Is there a reason it’s so important to keep this under wraps, Linnie? I know if it were up to Ev, he’d be shouting it from the rooftop.”
“Part of it has to do with Mom. The press has been particularly tenacious trying to figure out what in her past might have caused her to die so young…” I feel the warm pressure from her hand, which helps me to go on. “Also, I wanted the time to get to establish a more solid relationship with all of you before I brought you into the spotlight. Little did I know who my father really was.” My tone is dry.
“I know. I imagine someone’s going to put it together soon.”
“Or like they did with my brother-in-law, they’ll make something up. Say someone will write that I’m having some scandalous affair with the very wealthy Everett Parrish. See page 12 for the scoop,” I drawl scathingly
“Is Simon Houde really that dreamy?” Char’s eyes take on a faraway cast. I burst out laughing.
“Let me just say thatPeople Magazinedoesn’t do him justice.”
“On behalf of women everywhere, can I say I hate you for getting to kiss him every night?”
“It isn’t that great.” I quickly tell her about our ongoing battle with cilantro and onion. Soon, Char is doubled over.
“Your sister must be amazing. Not only to put up with all the noise from the tabloids but to deal with cilantro breath?” Charlotte pulls out some vegetables to chop.
“Do you have an extra cutting board and a knife?” She smiles and pushes her board and knife over. “How do you want these cut?”
“For dipping. We’ll munch on those.”
I begin to chop a head of broccoli up into bite-size florets. “Bris is terrific,” I say, bringing us back to our earlier topic. “She’s due in late January.” I smile at the joyful gasp. “She’s been a bedrock for me. Where I’m emotional, she’s logical. We balance each other out. I don’t want to add any undue burden to her when all of this comes to light.”
Char frowns as she cuts a carrot into sticks. “I see what you mean.”
I try to explain. “It’s a relief to have you and Ev know. I feel like this weight has been lifted from me. But I have to be careful about how far that circle expands. Protecting Bris, Simon, and this baby means everything to me.”
Laying down her knife, Charlotte gathers up her carrots and arranges them artfully around the large platter. “Then we’ll try to keep it in the family. But Shaun will respect Ev by not poking and prodding. I promise you that.”
Putting my trust in people has never been easy, but without being able to fall back on my mom, I have to rely on something I haven’t used in far too long—my instincts.
“I appreciate that. Everything you’ve done to welcome me into your home has been so appreciated.” My voice breaks. “When I came to find out more about my birth father, I didn’t expect to get his family too.”
She quickly rounds the counter and pulls me into her arms. “I’m glad that worked out for all of us.”
There’s a door slamming in the front hallway followed by the sound of boisterous men. “Oh, I guess he’s here early.” Char pulls away, dabbing at her eyes. Discreetly, I do the same. “We should finish up with this platter. Shaun will be in here shortly scrounging for some food, I’m sure.”
I give Char’s outfit the once-over; she’s dressed in what I’ll term casual country chic: white linen shorts, leather flats, and a pale pink button-down shirt neatly tucked in with a trim belt around her waist. “Do I need to run up and change?” In complete contrast, I’ve got on camouflage short shorts, a tight black T-shirt, a goodly amount of silver jewelry, with my hair loose down my back. My flip-flops are somewhere under the stool I’m perched on.
“Sweetheart, if I could pull that outfit off, I’d work it.” She grins at me before sliding a few peppers onto my empty cutting board. Happily, I julienne them before popping one into my mouth.
“Thanks, I got it at…” Before I can tell Char I scored my outfit online at Old Navy, the kitchen fills with people. I keep chopping—albeit with a grin on my face—as an African American male swoops up Char like she weighs as much as a gallon of milk. He grabs her cheeks and plants a smacking kiss on her lips. I stifle a giggle when she blushes to the roots of her frosted hair. I finish up the peppers on my board and am just about to reach for the zucchini that has been abandoned on Charlotte’s when I hear my name called. Only it’s not the one I’m expecting.
“Well, holy crap. Evangeline Brogan is in the house. What a surprise!” The man I presume is Monty’s partner has an arm slung around Char and is eyeing me up and down with appreciation. “I’m a huge fan. I’ve caught you the few times you’ve toured at the Kennedy Center.”
I send a quick look of regret over to Monty, who has just entered the door with a frown at his partner, before finding my flip-flops. With my stage smile in place, I hold out my hand. “Shaun, I presume.”
“Indeed. Has my reputation preceded me?” He winks.
