Page 36 of Suddenly Married

Luc lifted his hand in denial. “No need, thanks. They’re small,” he said, sure that the other man had suggested that to start to create a bond with him and maybe dispel the tension, but Luc couldn’t be friendly with a man who had been so awful to Kira. Even if he internally thanked him, the protective side of him spoke louder, and he feared he’d still punch Andrew if the opportunity presented itself.

“Would you like something to drink, dear? Maybe some sweet tea, beer or something stronger?” Doris asked.

“Not right now, thank you. I’ll get the suitcases and be right back.”

He swiftly strode out of the house to the sports car he’d rented, grabbed the two small suitcases and returned. Doris promptly pointed to where the bedroom was located, and he climbed up the stairs, holding the two suitcases, and then turned left to find the bedroom door semi-opened.

He entered, set the suitcases on the floor and closed the door behind him.

The décor had a flowery motif he couldn’t get behind. It was too sweet, the pastel colors very feminine, and the furniture not practical. Many small pillows on the queen-sized bed, then more small pillows piling on the two tufted chairs by an old fashioned vanity dresser.

“Kira?” he called her, and she came in from the en-suite bathroom. “You’re okay?”

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and shrugged. “Yes. I guess I didn’t expect to see them, like, immediately, upon my arrival.”

“I’m sorry.”

He withdrew like a champion kickboxer had just hit him. Did she still have any feelings for Andrew? Apprehension trickled down his spine, and cooled his blood. What if seeing him unlocked the love she still carried for Andrew?

“Don’t be,” she said, then blinked a few times, like she was trying to hold back tears. “It’s okay.”

“Kira, please be honest with me. Do you still love Andrew?” he asked, then swallowed the lump of concern throbbing in his throat. He sucked in a breath, painfully aware that her answer could change the course of things.

Yes, he was falling for her despite his common sense. He was falling for the woman his father most likely hired to keep tabs on him. But he couldn’t walk away from her. Yet, if she had stronger feelings for another man…

She looked at him like he just told her he had two heads, then chuckled. “What? Andrew? No,” she said, staring at him square in the eye and leaving no room for doubts. “God no. I’m sad because my parents still can’t put themselves in my shoes for a moment. They mean well, and probably thought having more people around us would make things easier, but—”

“But you wanted them to give you the same attention they give your sister.”

“Am I wrong? I don’t actually want the same level of attention because that would smother me. I just wanted, for once, to have them worry about how I feel and not just cater to make her life easier. I guess I thought I wouldn’t notice as much after living in another state.”

Trust me, living in another country doesn’t change the way you feel toward someone,he thought bitterly.

“I understand.” He embraced her into a tight hug. “You’re not wrong, Kira.”

She softened into his arms, then sighed. “Thanks. It’s their wedding anniversary, so I’ll put my big girl panties on and be civil and not make it about me.”

“I’d rather you put no panties on,” he said, and earned a laughter.

She looked up at him, a flicker of amusement in her eyes. “That can be arranged.”

* * *

“Who’s hungry?” her mother asked, bringing the dish of her signature pecan encrusted chicken, along with mixed greens, sauteed potatoes and roasted vegetables.

Kira chewed her bottom lip. Maybe eating would keep her mouth busy. She reminded herself she would only be home for two nights. Tonight, and the party would be the next night. Sunday morning they’d be leaving.

Luc sat next to her, and across from her, her sister and Andrew. She’d successfully avoided looking a lot in their direction. She’d said hello to her sister in passing, when they nearly bumped in the hallway, and she’d seen then the gleam in her sister’s eyes, like she had opened a door that Shelby considered closed.

She can’t hurt me anymore, she repeated to herself. She now lived far away, and had returned home with her handsome husband for a visit.

Dinner started without a hitch. Lydia and Peggy were a good buffer, and Luc seemed to enjoy himself, every so often complimenting her mother on the food. She drank a glass of white wine and willed herself to relax.

“Is everything set up for the party tomorrow?” she asked her mother.

“Yes. Your mother has been working on the backyard for weeks, and even hired someone to come help her,” her father said, with that pang of pride whenever he spoke of his wife.

Her mother waved him off. “Oh, stop it. I paid someone to do the flowers and decorations, but Shelby and Andrew hired the band.”

---