Business Not As Usual by Sharon C. Cooper

Author:Sharon C. Cooper [Cooper, Sharon C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2022-04-05T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Karter sat at the breakfast bar sipping his brandy, wondering what was taking Morgan and Dreamy so long. As far as he was concerned, he and Dreamy were still on a date, and he didn’t want to waste another minute of it.

Nana strolled to the small built-in desk near the pantry and pulled a white envelope from the drawer. “This came for you today,” she said.

Karter didn’t have to open it to know what it was. His mother’s perfect calligraphy was scribbled on the outside of the envelope. It was that time of the year, his parents’ wedding anniversary. A time when his mother went all out inviting anybody who was anybody to an elaborate celebration.

“She also called this evening, twice, wanting to make sure you received the invitation. When you call to RSVP, she’s expecting you to give her the name of your plus-one.”

“I’m sure she is,” Karter said dryly. “I’m surprised she didn’t tell you that I was bringing Angelica.”

Nana smirked. “Actually, she did, and she insisted that I call Angelica to find out what color she’s wearing. That way you can color coordinate and not clash with her.”

Karter shook his head. “She’s too much. I haven’t even decided if I was attending this year. It’s the same ol’, same ol’ with bourgie folks trying to outdress the next and bragging about their latest movie script or megamansion, or who donated the most money to a worthy charity. I’m over it.”

“I get that, but if you don’t show up, she’ll probably call the president of the United States and insist he send the National Guard here to get you.”

Karter laughed, mainly because she was right. His mother was a diva to the nth degree, and wouldn’t stand for any of her children not showing up to her event. Who would she brag to if they didn’t?

If, and that was a big if, he attended, he already knew whom he’d want as his plus-one. He just wasn’t sure if he would extend the invitation. Not because he wouldn’t want her there. No, it had everything to do with his mother, who was a world-class snob. He didn’t trust her to treat Dreamy kindly. Then again, from what he knew of Dreamy, she could probably hold her own in any situation.

Karter glanced at the back staircase that led to the second floor from the kitchen.

“I’m sure she’s fine,” Nana said, smiling. “You could always go up there and check on her.”

“I don’t want to come across as overbearing.” Which was true, but Karter felt a possessiveness that he hadn’t felt in a long time. “I like her. A lot,” he said, more to himself than to Nana, who was plating up the cake from the restaurant.

“I can tell, and I can see why. She’s very pretty . . . and young.”

“Yeah, I know. She’s Morgan’s age. That was one of the reasons I was hesitant to ask her out. But . . .”

Who am I kidding?

Karter lost all rational thought whenever Dreamy was around.

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