4. Katie
When I sawmy mom talking to Michael, all I could think about was Brent. He was my first real boyfriend. We were in the same classes in college and when he asked me out, I thought he liked me.
After years of being tormented and bullied in high school for being the daughter of a beautiful model, it felt like my luck was changing. Maybe he could see something in me that everyone else had overlooked. I was finally worthy of someone’s attention.
We’d been dating for two years when I came home to find him in bed with my mom.
He insisted it wasn’t a big deal. “When you get a chance to bang a supermodel, even an old one, I mean…between her and you, can you blame me?”
I couldn’t.
But I still broke his Springsteen record collection.
Then Michael showed up tonight and my mom was practically topless in front of him. He was probably wishing I hadn’t been there.
I glance out the limo window, reminding myself that the Michael in my imagination never cheats on me. Right now, the consolation feels hollow.
I’ve spent my life coming in second place to my mom, always overshadowed by her beauty and accomplishments. Always having to hear people say she has the daughter with the “pretty face”.
Michael clears his throat. “The Wagner contract is set to go through as soon as he’s in town to ink the deal.”
I nod and watch the city lights passing. “Where is Atlas?”
“At the house.” He pulls paperwork from his briefcase and passes it to me. “Here are my top three choices for tonight. What do you think?”
I open the first folder to see a picture of a smiling guy about my age. There’s more than enough personal information on him to commit identity theft. Then I remember the folder yesterday. “Are these potential boyfriends for Atlas?”
He nods, looking pleased with himself.
I think about seeing Atlas and Eric together at The Wicked Wench last night. “I believe if you give her time, she’ll find a boyfriend on her own.”
He scowls at me. “But that’s the problem. She never goes anywhere or does anything. Where is she going to meet a nice guy her own age?”
I can’t answer him without telling him about last night so instead I stay quiet.
It’s not long until we pick up Atlas. We make small talk for a few minutes before I prompt Michael to share the truth about the dates he hand-picked for his daughter this evening. I don’t think she should be surprised on the dance floor in front of everyone.
Atlas looks irritated by her father’s plan and that it came with Eric’s approval. “Do you and Eric get to pick the honeymoon destination, too? Or am I allowed to make some decisions on my own?”
I fight the urge to smile at her spunk.
Michael tries to calm her by saying, “You don’t have to marry them. Just make small talk. Put yourself out there for once instead of being wrapped up in your laptop.”
Atlas rolls her eyes. It’s hard to blame her when Michael is the very definition of a workaholic. “When was the last time you went on a date?”
“That’s different,” he mutters.
An uncomfortable silence descends on our little trio.
According to office gossip, Michael hasn’t been with any woman since he was widowed seven years ago. The saying is that he buried his wife one day and married his work the next.
It’s another reason I developed a crush on him. His devotion to his late wife. I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to have someone love me as fiercely as he loved her.
When the limo pulls to a stop in front of the grand hotel I booked for the charity event, Atlas lets out a breath of appreciation. Apparently, it’s her first black tie event.
“All the ticket sales from the masquerade and the profits from the silent auction will go to help a local veteran’s hospital,” I explain to her.
She frowns, glancing at her father.
Michael shrugs. As a former Marine, he’s passionate about supporting the men and women of the Armed Forces.
He waits for us to exit the limo then follows, holding out an arm to each of us.
I’ve been on Michael’s arm at dozens of events, but tonight, he keeps sending me a look I can’t decipher. I wonder if it has something to do with his early arrival at my apartment. But I can’t think of anything urgent or important for us to discuss.
As we approach various partygoers, I pause to whisper names into Michael’s ear. Names and faces are more details that Michael rarely pays attention to.
When I first met him, I assumed he was just a pompous asshole who didn’t care. But once I got to see him work, I understood. His passion for building his company is his sole focus. Everything else is noise to him.
He introduces Atlas to the Abernathy family and their son Charlie. When he asks her to dance, I can practically hear the wedding bells going off in Michael’s head.
“You look like you’re already picking names for your grandchildren,” I tease.
He gives me a sly smile and holds out a hand for a dance. “I’m not going to lie. A December wedding would make me a happy father.”
I step into his arms, feeling the warmth from his body. “I thought dads were supposed to want to keep their daughters close.”
“My wife was married and pregnant by her age.” He puts a hand on my back, pressing me closer to his body than he ever has before.
I take a breath and my chest brushes his. I wonder if he notices or if he feels it, too. “And that’s your idea of a successful woman, someone who’s married with kids?”
Something in Michael’s gaze darkens. “Being a husband and a father were the happiest days of my life,” he says softly. “I want that for my girl.”
I wish I had someone like Michael. Someone who wanted my happiness. “And you can’t have that with another woman again?”
He doesn’t answer. But it doesn’t matter because the song ends and so does our dance. He steps away from me. “We still have a few more guests to greet.”
* * *
Michael
I watchKatie talking with another man from across the room while I chat with a potential new client. Eric is beside me, answering the technical questions.
She’s beautiful in that white wraparound dress with the cherries on it. She looks good enough to eat.
The thought has me thinking about that one scene in story number sixteen or maybe it was seventeen.
The man says something that makes Katie smile and it’s not one of her false office smiles. This is a real smile like she’s enjoying herself. Suddenly, I want to charge over there and tell his smug ass that she’s my woman.
Nothing makes sense to me anymore. Katie has the body and imagination of a vixen, but she acts like she isn’t aware of it. Is it possible she just doesn’t know how damn arousing she is?
“That’s why Alpha Defense has received top marks in the industry for the last five years,” Eric says to the client.
I nod along like I’m listening, but Eric could now be telling our client that I sell green two-headed cows and I’d agree. Anything to get this conversation over with.
Katie manages to excuse herself and disappears out a side door.
Turning back to the discussion, I end it quickly and politely before I follow after her. It’s time to figure out the mystery that is Katie Hunter.