In my Arms Tonight (NYC Singles Book 2) (26 page)

Kat wilted when she saw the hurt on Min-Jung’s face. “Sometimes… things happen.”

There was a long pause. Water dripped from the leaky faucet. Drip. Drip. Drip.

“Please help me.” Kat broke the rhythm of the water. “Help me this once.”

“Do you realize what you’re asking me to do?” Upset shot from Min-Jung’s tongue with the words. Her face was red with anger.

Kat swallowed. “Please?”

“You… you’re not yourself anymore. I used to like you. I used to respect you. When you won the David Nyhan Prize and everybody was bitching behind your back about how you didn’t deserve it, I defended you, saying you had the values of a great reporter. Of all the interns, I befriended you that summer because I thought you understood your responsibility to the public. Now you’re giving it up for a man? I’m sorry, but I can’t understand you. I feel betrayed.”

Min-Jung’s voice was shaking. Kat’s mouth contorted and her throat stung.

Oh, God. This was so hard.

“Sorry for disappointing you,” Kat squeaked.

She had to believe that Alex was worth this. Worth sacrificing her soul. That what they had together would heal the holes that losing Min-Jung’s friendship would blow in her.

Disconnecting from herself, Kat cut off her emotional cord. “You won’t tell Bill, will you?”

Min-Jung bit her lip. “I won’t. But that’s the last thing I’m ever doing for you.”

A
lex felt tighter than a cork wedged in the mouth of a wine bottle as he walked in through the door of the brownstone the Cullens inhabited.

He was meeting Kat’s parents. That was a sweat-inducing situation for anyone, but it was even worse for him. After the number of parents he’d met in his youth, even the word made him feel itchy all over.

“Hello, Alex,” a deep, resonant male voice said.

Kat’s dad greeted him in the doorway. Bony with piercing green eyes the same shade as his daughter’s, he was dressed in a casual white T-shirt and shorts. His expression was unreadable.

For a moment, self-doubt paralyzed Alex. What if he ended up doing something regrettable? He shook himself out of that thought.

No, he wasn’t fifteen anymore. He’d moved past his behavioral difficulties long ago. And he’d dealt with much tougher people before. An old man two heads shorter than him shouldn’t be intimidating.

“Hi, Dad.” Kat slipped into her father’s embrace.

Alex envied her. Unlike him, some people didn’t have to search for a place to belong. They were born with one.

Mr. Cullen gave her a pat on the hand. “You look good. How’s work?”

“Busy as ever,” Kat replied, placing a kiss on her father’s wrinkled cheek. “This is Alex.”

When Mr. Cullen set his eyes on Alex, there was a marked shift in the level of warmth.

All the panic inside burst onto Alex’s face. He stood frozen there, unable to smile, unable to say anything to move. It was an unnatural state for him to be in—silence.

“Are you okay?” Kat squeezed his upper arm and he relaxed.

He was doing this for her. For the woman he loved. She was worth it.

“I’m okay,” he assured, straightening his spine.

The father first. No problem. He was ready to do this. Turning on his charm full blast, Alex held out his hand to the man.

“Hello, Mr. Cullen. Nice to meet you.” His voice could have frozen the Sahara.

Her father squinted. Damn. Nervous, Alex looked at Kat, who was behind him, locking the door now. This felt so much like he was a boy from the wrong side of the tracks, trying to convince his girlfriend’s father to let him take his daughter on a date.

But he had to remember that he was a respectable, successful, powerful man now. He was Alex Summer, not Cole Granger.

“Your house is beautiful.” Alex pretended to survey the living room—or whatever he could see of it.

Mr. Cullen came closer and broke into a giant grin. “Loosen up, son. I won’t eat you.”

He patted Alex’s shoulder, a gesture that set Alex’s tensed-up muscles at ease instantly.

But before he could get too comfortable, a young girl came barreling towards him with an earth-shattering shriek and embraced him like she’d known him for a million years. “Alex! I’m so happy to meet you.”

“Keira, get away. You’re making him uncomfortable,” Kat reprimanded, flicking her sister’s forehead, which comfortably nestled against Alex’s shoulder.

Keira grumpily let go of him. The wine-colored dress skimming her knees swayed when she took a step back.

He’d met Keira before, but now that he saw her with Kat, she looked part of the family.

“Oh, sorry. I was too excited back there. I’m Keira, Kat’s sister.” Her blue eyes widened eagerly, forcing him to go along with the lie. She probably didn’t want anybody to know she’d made that visit to his apartment.

“Hello.” He angled his head at her. “This is the first time we’ve met, isn’t it?”

“Of course. How could we have met before?” Her smile was forced, but nobody noticed. “But I remember we talked on the phone.”

“And you totally embarrassed me,” Kat threw in, with an annoyed glower. “I’ve gotta get even with you for that.”

“Come on, sis. Don’t be so petty around Alex. Dad and I know the real you, but he’s probably worried right now,” Keira advised, tapping Kat’s head. “Don’t worry, Alex. I promise Kat’s less annoying when she’s asleep.”

Kat glowered again.

Alex laughed. Mr. Cullen smiled.

Three minutes ago, he’d been the most anxious lump of human flesh on the planet, but he found himself adjusting to his new atmosphere. There was something about this house, these people, which was so comforting. This was a home. A real home—the kind he’d never seen in his life.

“Keira, who is it?” a voice he hadn’t heard before hollered.

“Mom, it’s Alex!” Keira shouted back, steering him forward.

“My wife’s been looking forward to meeting you,” Mr. Cullen added.

Mrs. Cullen was perched on the sofa. Slightly plump, she looked serene wearing a pale blue blouse. Large pearls dangled from her neck and ears.

Alex passed her a smile. She looked at him, but didn’t seem to register his presence. Nor did she smile back.

Kat threaded her fingers between his and her airy whisper rolled up his neck. “She can’t see, so don’t be offended.”

Alex’s heart tugged sharply, as it finally made sense. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s been that way for a long time now.” Kat didn’t sound happy. “I’m used to it.”

“Mom, Alex and Kat are here,” Keira announced chirpily, raising her arms. Then she turned to Alex. “This is my mom.”

Kat moved to her mother’s side instinctively, enveloping the older woman in a long hug. Alex had never seen her emotional before, but she looked on the verge of tears now.

“Sorry I wasn’t here that Saturday, like I promised.” Kat’s voice was subdued, regretful.

“It’s okay. You have things to do.” There was nothing but understanding in Mrs. Cullen’s voice and Alex’s heart did a see-saw.

Family was his major weakness.

“This is Alex, by the way. My… erm… friend.” Kat hesitated a few seconds too long.

“Come on, sis, he’s your boyfriend. Just say it, will you?” Keira erupted, shaking her head.

“Okay. He’s my boyfriend. But that doesn’t mean I’m marrying him. So don’t let your imaginations run wild, folks,” Kat warned.

“We never let our imagination run wild when it comes to you,” Keira retorted good-humoredly.

Alex strode towards Mrs. Cullen and did something totally uncharacteristic by embracing her instead of shaking hands with her.

“Is that Alex?” Her old, wrinkled hands glided over his skin. For a moment, he feared she might react badly. But she didn’t. “My, you have broad shoulders. Do you mind if I touch your face?”

Her voice was so heartbreakingly sweet that Alex couldn’t possibly refuse. “Sure.”

“Thank you,” she murmured, so low only he could hear, then her fragile fingers climbed up his neck and rubbed his face. “Very nice jaw. No hair. How old are you, Alex?”

“Forty-six,” he replied, with a note of worry.

There was a definite roll of silence in the room. He expected Keira to throw in some humor, but there was no humor from any direction.

“Forty-six…” She trailed off. “I apologize, but I must ask the obvious question. How many times have you been married before?”

“I’ve never been married before,” he responded in a beat.

“Any kids?”

“None.”

“How many women has he dated? Come on, why don’t you ask him that too? And while you’re at it, ask him about his credit score, criminal record and when his driving license expires. Those would be useful to know,” Kat said sarcastically.

“Sweetie, you’re being sensitive. Even if he’s been divorced a few times, I wasn’t going to hold it against him. I just wanted to know,” Mrs. Cullen said, slightly upset.

“It’s okay.” Alex passed a nod to Kat. He understood that she didn’t want him to be interrogated on his past, but he’d expected some of this when he’d agreed to dine with her family. “You can ask me anything, Mrs. Cullen. I’d be happy to answer.”

“You’re going to regret you said that, son. My wife is a curious woman,” Mr. Cullen mused. Alex noted that this was the second time he’d used ‘son’. Alex would be lying if he said it didn’t twist his heart in a way. He felt part of this family already.

“So, Alex, where do you work?” Mrs. Cullen tried to get up and her hands pressed down on his shoulder.

“At my campaign headquarters. I’m running for mayor of New York.”

Mrs. Cullen latched onto his hand and she nudged him towards the dining table. Without any cue, Kat slipped into the kitchen and started hauling dinner to the table.

There was a clap of feet on the ground. “OMG, Mom, Kat could be First Lady of New York if Alex wins!” Keira was pumped up.

A grunt escaped from the kitchen. Alex had to laugh, despite himself.

“But your sister would rather not be First Lady. She likes her job.” Mrs. Cullen’s words seemed to be directed at him, rather than Keira. “Kat’s job means a lot to her.”

“Yes, and she’s very good at it,” Alex agreed.

Fussing over the tableware, Kat aligned the forks and spoons in perfect right angles. Alex pulled out a chair for Mrs. Cullen.

She didn’t seem to know how to stop asking questions. “Have you run for any public office before, Alex? Wait, do you have plans to run for governor? President?”

Sliding into a chair, Kat put her elbows on the table. “He was a congressman until last year. As for his plans for president or governor, I’d like to know, too.”

“I have no plans to run for governor or president, now or in the future,” Alex announced, then tilted his chin to Kat. “And you can go ahead and print that.”

“Why not?” Mr. Cullen placed a hand on the side of his face.

“Too much responsibility.” Shrugging, Alex landed on the chair beside Kat, her parents. Keira occupied the chair at the helm of the table.

Kat picked up her fork and removed the lids off everything. “Help yourself.”

“Did you make all of this?” Alex turned to Mrs. Cullen, not that she could see him.

“Oh, no, I can’t cook. I mean, I can, but I don’t. He made it.” She beamed proudly at her husband.

Alex’s heart did that weird fluttery thing again as affection between them seeped into his consciousness. They looked so in love.

Kat’s hand slithered over his thigh. Predictably, his cock stirred.

To distract himself, Alex shook pepper onto his plate. “How many years have you been married, if you don’t mind me asking?”

He expectantly stared at Kat’s parents.

“Thirty-five.” Keira popped the numbers on her fingers. “Intimidated yet, Alex? I bet you and Kat wouldn’t last half that long. My sister has dangerous anger issues.”

“I thought I told you to be nice to him.” Kat arched an eyebrow. “And I thought I told you not to imagine things.”

“I am being nice and I’m not imagining anything,” Keira replied.

A chuckle shook Mrs. Cullen’s shoulders. Pairing eating with frequent glances his way, she finally turned to Kat and asked, “Have you met his parents yet?”