Page 65 of Imperfections Forbidden
“The only reason they’re probably looking over here is because Nick is over here.His mother is on the board for this charity and Alexander and Alexander are household names.”
“Yes, Daddy, I’m sure that’s it.Cat is right; no one is looking over here at her.I’m sure it’s Nick they’re impressed with.”
I look at Kate and try to suppress the urge to roll my eyes.Nick doesn’t say a word to her.He takes a sip of his champagne.
“Nonsense, Kate.Look around.Nick, it looks like we’re going to spend the rest of the night being her bodyguards.What do you say, are you up to protecting my girl from these guys with one thing on their minds?”
This is beyond awkward and embarrassing.“Dad, stop it!”
Nick turns his head to me.He gives me a devilish grin that makes my pulse race, and I feel the heat rising up in my cheeks.He tips his head to my father to answer his question, obviously amused.
“Yes, sir.I am up for the challenge.”
Kate and my mother stare at me like I did something offensive.She puts a hand on my father’s chest and fixes a smile on her face.
“William, stop, you’re embarrassing her.”She looks at my dress again.“Darling, you look lovely.”
I wait for the “but” I know is not far behind the compliment.She points to my dress and here it comes.
“Though this dress might be a bit much in a not much at all way for this particular gala.”
And there it is.“No, Mother, I don’t think so.”
“Of course you wouldn’t,” Kate says.
“No, Kate, I wouldn’t.”I swirl the little champagne left in my glass.She’s not going to get to me.“Silver and gold ‘tis the color of the season, along with everything else that sparkles,” I tell her.
“I have to agree with your daughter and husband, Mrs.Reed.”
“About what, Nicholas?”My mother looks at him then at me.
“She is stunningly beautiful tonight.”
Tipping his glass to me our eyes meet, I look away quickly.His eyes are my weakness, as usual.If I stare too long my father, anyone, and everyone will see exactly what I feel for him.I can’t let that happen, not tonight.
“Thank you,” I say, suddenly feeling shy.
“If you will excuse me, I see a business associate of mine I need to have a word with.”He takes two steps past me and turns around.“Mr.Reed, let me know when you need my services.One look at the back of this dress and I can see you’re right.She’s going to need a bodyguard.”With a lopsided grin he spins back around.
I look at my dad, who is a step behind me now, looking at the back of my dress.He doesn’t look too happy.I think it’s time for me to break away from this little group before I get an earful.I turn around to face my father.I hear an intake of breath from Kate when she sees the back of my dress.I better move before they decide to tag team me again and roll me out of here like the trash they think I’ve turned into.
“I’ll be back, I see an old friend over there.I haven’t seen him since high school.”I make my fast getaway with their eyes laser beamed to my back.I’m glad Jay and Vanessa couldn’t make it because Sasha wasn’t feeling well.I hope the little munchkin feels better soon.I think she has a case of too much: too much excitement and too much to eat, including an overdose of birthday cake, gingerbread cookies, and peppermint candy canes.I’ll call to check on her tomorrow, she should feel better by then.
I spendthe rest of the night trying to stay as far away from Nick as possible, which doesn’t work because we are all seated at the same table.Luckily he has to speak to a lot of the guests, taking over his mother’s duties since she couldn’t make it because she wasn’t feeling well.Kate took every chance she could when Nick and my father weren’t at the table to insult me and remind me of her pregnancy.How could I forget?
By the end, I was ready to leave.I’d had enough of Kate, and my mother’s disapproving looks.I was feeling a little self-conscious; it felt like most of the men were looking at me and the women they were with were giving me dirty looks.I had to turn down a couple of guys who asked me for my number—they were clearly married, but I’m not surprised, their wives remind me of Kate and my mother.
“Well, guys, it was a fun night, but I’m going to call a cab and head home.”
My dad asks if I’m sure, because he’ll give me a ride home.I’m sure I don’t want to wait another hour for a ride home with Kate and my mother.No, thank you.I say my goodbyes and go to the front to get my jacket and stand by the doors for my taxi.I look behind me, and I see Kate heading my way.The night is over; I wish she would give it a rest already.
“What do you want, Kate?”She rubs her hand over her burgeoning stomach that’s barely noticeable under her dark blue chiffon dress.Soon, she won’t have to keep rubbing her stomach every chance she gets to tip people off that she’s pregnant.
“Nothing, I have everything I need to get me what I want.”
“That’s good for you.Excuse me, I’m going to wait for my cab outside.The air has suddenly become stifling in here.”I try to move around her and she shifts to the side.
“You’re excused, Cat, after you hear what I have to say.You need to listen and listen well.I will always be a part of his life.I’m the mother of his son, his first born child.If you have any ideas of getting back with him, I want you to know I will always be here in everything you do.This baby will forever be your reminder he had me first; he chose to be with me first.
