A Perfectly Imperfect Love by Nikki Vale

Author:Nikki Vale
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: firefighter, Irish man, Latina
Publisher: Nikki Vale
Published: 2016-02-19T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

GINA

“What in the world are you wearing, Regina?” Madeline exclaims as I walk in the front door of the mansion. I look down at my white blouse and jeans. I didn’t have time to go home and change again, after spending most of the day with Brayden. I didn’t think it was a big deal though, since it’s just a family dinner. Judging by Madeline’s floral print sundress, and the expression on her face, I was wrong.

I follow silently behind her as she walks angrily towards the dining room. Why are we eating in the formal dining room? As I round the corner, the answer to my question is immediately revealed. Sitting at the eight-person, solid cherry table, are my father and Grandmother Abigail, along with Chadwick and Thurston Winthrop III.

“Ah, Princess you’re here,” my father stands up from the table to greet me. “What are you wearing?” he whispers in my ear, as he gives me a hug. I just slump my shoulders and take a seat next to Madeline.

“Nice to see you again Mr. Winthrop, Chadwick,” I politely greet them.

“You look quite casual,” Mr. Winthrop comments, not unkindly.

“I went roller skating,” I volunteer. He looks mildly shocked as he digests that bit of information. Chadwick looks utterly mortified and I can’t help but smile to myself. He probably wouldn’t know how to have fun unless it involved numbers, books, and bowties. “That’s good, you like to keep active.” Thurston elbows his son in the side. Chad jumps in surprise and then glances up from his lap to look at me.

“Yes, very nice,” he adds. Oh boy, this is another obvious attempt at matchmaking. Didn’t anyone, besides me, notice what a disaster that last attempt was?

“I was just telling our guests that my beautiful step-daughter was without a date for the charity dinner this Thursday, and also the black and white ball on Saturday,” Madeline supplies, she gives me a meaningful glare that quickly turns to a smile when she turns to Chadwick. Apparently they all rehearsed this ambush before I got here. I can tell that Chad is about to react to Madeline’s not so subtle prodding, so I quickly react before he gets a chance.

“Where’s Grandpa D?” I blurt out. Where’s my buffer when I need him?

“Dwight has business to attend to out of town,” Abigail responds in a bored tone. Why is she even here? I grab the glass of wine in front of me, taking several unladylike gulps before putting it back down.

“Well, I have some exciting news. I have a date for both events,” I lie. Chad looks almost as relieved as I feel. Apparently I’m not up to his standards either.

“That’s excellent Princess. Why didn’t you say so before?” my father asks seeming genuinely happy for me. Now all I have to do is find a date, or two. I sneak my cell phone out of my purse under the table and text Brayden.

“I only just found a date today,” I reply, looking up at him.

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