Naughty.
“So let’s go then,” I pull him toward thedoor by his tie, “and I’ll let you taste the rainbow.”
“Jesus Christ, I love you,” Ryan feignsfainting, “It’s a good thing I’m wearing a suit jacket.” He wrapshis arms around me from behind and I can feel his hard on poking mein the back.
“Really, is that all it takes?” I giggle. “Adirty innuendo?”
“Alana, all it takes is for you tobreathe.”
I laugh aloud, “You’re incorrigible.”
“I know baby,” he groans, “don’t ever ask meto change.”
“I wouldn’t, and I don’t think you could evenif you tried.”
We walk out into the vestibule holding hands;several receptionists are behind the desk, including Reyna andShelia. Shelia has short black hair, a pear-shaped body and adevious demeanor. They watch us like hawks as we walk by and justas we get into the elevator someone yells, “Jack!” and Ryan turnshis head.
Shit.
I circle around to see both Reyna andShelia’s eyes sparkling; those two connivers just unmasked Jack theStripper.
Easter is late thisyear.
The daffodils have popped up, the azaleas arein bloom and there is just the tiniest hint of warmth in the air.I’m sitting at the table in my aunt and uncle’s Art Deco diningroom feasting on rack of lamb with pureed sweet potatoes and beetsalad. It’s my aunt’s signature meal for the holiday. Theconversation is light and everyone seems to be enjoying theirmeal.
“Alana, did I tell you Alex and I will be inthe city next month? He’s taking me to see Thirty Seconds to Mars.”Emily wipes her mouth with an excited glint in her eye. She lovesJared Leto so this news is no surprise. She’s a self-proclaimedEchelon.
“Oh yeah? Where are they playing?”
“Roseland Ballroom, nice and intimate,” shesmiles wickedly, “It should be a good concert.”
“Sounds like a good one. I’m jealous.” I takea sip of red wine. I’m a bit of a Jared Leto fan myself.
“I can get you and Ryan tickets if you wantto come,” Alex chimes in innocently and I immediately ceasebreathing.
“Ryan?” My father’s low timber vibratesacross the table.
Its official, the universe hates me. FirstEmily outs me and now Alex. I swear these two are a match made inbig mouth heaven.
I stare at my father stock-still trying tofigure out a way to answer his one word, probing question. Ideliberate carefully. One wrong slip of the tongue and life as Iknow it could be over.
“Yes. Ryan.” I look around the table andeveryone is frozen. My uncle with a forkful of beets to his mouth,my aunt with her wine glass touching her lips, Emily glaring atAlex like she wants to stab her knife into his neck. “He’s someoneI’m seeing.”
My father drops his fork. “Why do Emily andAlex know you’re seeing someone and I don’t?”
The question actually throws me for a loop.He sounds almost hurt. Which is not in my father’s characterdescription at all.
“Because I wasn’t ready to tell you.” Andthat’s the honest truth.
“Well, who is he? Where is he from? What doeshe do?” My father pops off every question I don’t want toanswer.
“Merrick don’t interrogate the girl. She’stwenty-three years old, she’s entitled to her privacy.” My uncleJohn goes to bat for me.
“I don’t recall directing a question at youJohn,” my father snaps.Ouch.
Oh fuck, I glance quickly between my uncleand my father. This could get ugly if I’m not systematic with myanswers.Just breathe.
“Daddy,” I say sweetly, calmly, trying toplacate him even though I’m a jumble of overheating organs on theverge of stalling out. “Ryan and I are only casually dating. Lawschool is my first priority. Getting families involved is just toobig of a step for me right now. I don’t want to getdistracted.”