Page 1 of Imperfections Seduced
Cat
Here we go. I can’tbelieve I’m at my sister’s wedding, getting ready to watch her walk down the aisle to my best friend. I’m the maid of honor, and I’m in love with the groom. This is so wrong on so many levels. She steps into the aisle on my father’s arm, looking like an angel in an off-the-shoulder lace and satin form-fitting gown. Suddenly, the whole room freezes, and everyone turns to look at me. My sister says, “You want him? You can’t have him. You’re too late.”
I pop out of the dream—or should I say nightmare–in my bed in my childhood home, the first night I’ve been back in years. It had been the longest day of my twenty-four years on this earth. The moment she said those three crushing words, “We’re getting married,” my heart almost stopped.
Welcome freaking home to me!
I’m backin New York after four years, and no one came to meet me at the airport. I know I said I didn’t want anyone picking me up, but they haven’t seen me in over a year, and then I was only going to be here for two days and my father and brothers picked me up. I can’t wait to see everyone, Kaitlin and Christopher, my twin brother and sister, James my eldest brother and especially my niece, James’s three-year-old daughter. She’s the cutest, with chubby cheeks, lots of curly hair that reaches her shoulders, and big dark brown eyes with sun-kissed skin.
The one person I missed as much as my family is my best friend, Nicholas Alexander. Back in the day, Nick, my brother Chris, and I were like the three musketeers; we always had each other’s backs. Even though they were four years older than me, they never treated me like a little kid.
While I’m in my thoughts, the cab pulls up to the front of the house.
“This is your stop,” the cab driver says.
While I’m digging through my bag for my wallet, he looks up at the red brick house that I grew up in.
“You live here?”
“Yes, I’ve been gone awhile, but I’m back for good now.”
“Mind if I ask you something?” He turns his head and looks at me.
“Go ahead,” I say, still fumbling through my bag that seems to have everything but my wallet.
“Do you have a boyfriend?”
Aha! Wallet found. I look up and realize he’s kind of cute, but not my type. There’s only one guy I’m interested in.
“Not exactly. He’s a boy, and he’s my friend, but I’m hoping to put the two together real soon,” I answer truthfully, so I don’t have to shut him down if he asks for my number. He smiles at me and shakes his head.
“The pretty ones are always taken; nice house, and here’s my number just in case it doesn’t work out with your friend or if you ever need a ride. I’ll be more than happy to pick you up anytime.”
I take the card he hands me as I step out of his cab and flash him a smile. “Thank you,” I say, closing the door. An unusually cold blast of air hits me, and hurry to get my suitcase out of the trunk.
I forgotOctober could get this cold in New York. I climb up the seven steps to my parents’ front door and get my keys out of my bag. I should have checked the weather and worn pants instead of my coral pink cable-knit sweater dress that only catches me mid-thigh. It looked so cute with my new three-inch, calf-high black leather boots, though. It’s so cold I can see my own breath. Thank God I wore coat and scarf. I should have worn my hat, but of course I didn’t want to mess up my curls. I turn the key in the lock and push the door open.
“SURPRISE!”
A crowd of people leap into the foyer, scaring me so badly I stumble back over the threshold. My mom and dad rush forward, dragging me back in.
“Baby, were you surprised?” my mom asks, squeezing me so tight I’m having trouble breathing.
Hell yeah, but I’m so happy to see them.
“Yes, I’m so surprised I almost wet myself.”
My dad grabs me from my mom’s arms. “Come here,baby girl.” He gives me a bear hug, lifting me off my feet. “My Kitty Cat’s home,” he says in his deep voice.
“I love you too, Dad, but please let me go—I need to breathe.”
I’m so happy I’m smiling from ear to ear and so is he. I feel like a spinning top for the next ten minutes while I go from person to person, getting hugs and thanking them for coming.
“Damn, girl, I see you finally had that growth spurt, when did that happen?” James teases. My mom and I are the short ones of the family.
“As soon as I bought these two-hundred-dollar boots.” I lower my voice. “Smart ass.”
We start laughing, like old times.
