Page 16 of Imperfections Seduced
“Well, if you need anything at all ask for Lexi. I’ll be more than happy to get you whatever you need.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“I hope so.”
She turns around and walks away in her tight blackdress, hips swaying. A few days ago I would have probably taken her up on whatever she was offering and gotten her number, but the only woman I can think about is Catherine Reed and helpingherwith what she needs.
“You haven’t lost your touch with the ladies. I hope your new fiancée knows what she’s in for.”
I sigh. “Hello, Ava.”
“By the look on your face, I’d have to think you’re not happy to see me, which I know couldn’t possibly be true, or maybe it’s the reminder of your new fiancée.” Ava raises her eyebrows, opens her mouth in a perfect oval and puts her left hand in front of it. “That’s supposed to be a secret, right?”
Standing next to me in a checkered black-and-white wool coat, she puts her right hand on my cheek where she can see my jaw clenched as she looks at the table where everyone is seated. “Don’t be upset with me, Nick, I should be angry with you for not telling me you’re engaged to Cat’s sister. What the hell is that about? You spent the entire morning with me and it didn’t cross your mind to mention you were engaged to her?”
“Who told you?”
“Before you go off half-cocked, Cat told me, and then Kate told us some bull about you two wanting to keep it quiet because you don’t want the media finding out, which is code for you wanting it to be kept a secret. I think I know you well enough to know you wouldn’t give a damn who knew you were engaged if you were really in love.”
I keep looking straight ahead at the table, without blinking. “We’re not going to talk about this, Ava.”
“Fine, I’ll drop it for now, but we will talk about it.”
I turn around to face her, then smile. I take my left hand out of my pants pocket and pick up a lock of her hair between my fingers. “Strawberry blonde?” She has asheepish look on her face. I know her well enough to know that something or someone has prompted this sudden change in hair color. It suits her, but I prefer it black.
“What? I needed a change, it’s fall, the holidays are around the corner. It goes with the season.”
“Relax, when you’re ready, you’ll tell me if you want to.I’m not going to pry and stick my nose where it doesn’t belong.”
“Yes, I will, but that still doesn’t let you off the hook. My nose has a mind of its own.”
I know she’s not going to stop until she finds out what’s going on between Kate and me. She takes my hand and walks in front of me, head held high, like she’s the main attraction in the room.
“Come on, Nick, let’s get over there so the fun can begin. You know how I like to shake things up.”
“I know, so I’m going to tell you now—don’t!”
“I’ll try my best.”
I know she’s going to probablytrynot to cause trouble, but God help her, she can’t stop herself sometimes. This is going to be an interesting night.
Cat
I takea sip of my red wine and look around the table at my sister and brothers. Chris is by himself, as usual; he never brings any of the women that he’s dating around. When he was in high school he did, but he wasn’t serious about any of them. I think I’m the only one in the family that’s met a handful of the girls he’s dated since high school. They’re usually tall, thin model types with long hair, high cheekbones, and pouty lips. They don’t seem like his type of woman to me; they’reso serious and buttoned down, but what do I know? They might appear to be one way on the outside but real sex kittens behind closed doors.
Sitting at the head of the table, I watch Vanessa and Jay sitting across the table from Kate. If I didn’t know their situation, I would think they were a happy couple. I remember the day they got married; it was a beautiful fairy tale wedding on Long Island at Oheka Castle in May. They looked like they should be on top of the wedding cake instead of walking down the aisle. Her hair was piled high on top of her head with a tiara around it.
She wore a Monique Lhuillier princess-cut gown. Jay, who like Chris is always put together and handsome, was beaming at the sight of his bride. They were so happy, holding hands, touching and kissing… I thought they would be together forever. I’m sure they thought the same thing. They’re good for each other; Jay is the most responsible one out of the four of us. Vanessa loosens him up and shows people his softer side, which was evident after she had Sasha.
She had postpartum depression for the first year of Sasha’s life. Jay did everything for Sasha so Vanessa wouldn’t have any added stress, but it seemed like the more he did, the further apart they grew. Seeing them together now, smiling and talking like they used to, gives me hope they’ll find their way back to each other.
I sigh deeply and take another sip of my wine. Why are things so complicated sometimes? Why can’t things work out the way you want them to? Life would be so much simpler. I look down at my wine glass on the table and run my finger back and forth across the rim of the glass, looking up when Kate says something to me.
“Are you all right, Cat?”
Kate looks at me, seemingly concerned. I don’t feel like being at this dinner. Under different circumstances, Iwould have loved to spend time with my sister and brothers. I do not want to spend time with Nick and Kate as a couple. Last night was enough, especially after the argument we had in his car. Where is he, anyway? It’s been about thirty minutes since I left him in the parking lot.
“Cat, you didn’t answer me, are you okay?”
