Page 60 of Takeover

“You mean like the time Mother crashed Dad’s sixtieth birthday party and tried to get him to dance with her,” Alan says.

“To their wedding song,” Vickie says with a snicker.

“How about the time Dad was out of town, and Mother stopped by to take us out to eat, and you had to pick up the check.”

We all laugh at that memory. I was a sophomore in high school at that time, and when Mother showed up, Cheryl only agreed to let us go if she could drive us.

“Only after she had four Long Island iced teas,” Cheryl reminds us.

“And she ended up spending the night in the guest room,” Vickie says, shaking her head. “You’re an evil saint.”

“I got you three out of it.” Cheryl leans over and kisses Alan’s cheek.

“Don’t forget about Dad, evil one,” Alan reminds her.

“Yeah, him too.”

We spend the rest of the lunch laughing and reminiscing about old times. I groan when Vickie informs me of a dinner Mother has planned for Saturday for the twins’ birthday. I make no mention of the fact that I haven’t talked to Mother since she flaked on me for my own birthday. She’s called a few times, but I’ve ignored each call.

By the time we finish lunch, all tension from earlier is gone, and I enjoy my time with my family. I’m in the middle of laughing at something Alan just said when I feel my phone vibrating in my purse.

“Hey, good looking,” I say as I smile into the phone.

“Hey, you sexy as fuck goddess.” He practically purrs into the phone.

“Ooh. I’ve never been called that before.”

“Why don’t you bring Cheryl over for a drink?”

“Vickie and Alan crashed our lunch,” I tell him.

“Bring them. Vincent will be happy to see Alan.”

“They’re about the same age emotionally,” I tell him. I put him on hold, and when I make the invitation, they are all eager to go see his penthouse. “It’s a unanimous yes.”

“Hurry up and get home. I miss you.” I can’t help the intake of breath when he refers to his place as my home. “I love you,” he whispers.

“You’d better,” I say back. “And me too.”

“I don’t think so. I love you,” he repeats. “Say it.”

I look around the table, and everyone is distracted, so I say, “I say it all the time.”

“Say it now.”

“You’re so bossy. I love you, too. Happy now?”

“I’ll be happy when you’re home. Hurry.” He ends the call.

When I look at my family, they’re all staring at me.

“I’m so happy for you, darling. Let’s get you back to that man.”

35

As soon as the elevator doors open, he surprises me by grabbing me. He lifts me off the ground and kisses me in front of everyone. I’m shocked at first, but my body soon relaxes, and I kiss him back with as much fervor.

Vincent pokes his head down the hall, and when he sees the guests, he runs toward us but hides behind Ethan. He sticks his head out to look at them, and when Alan offers him a fist bump, he runs to him.

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