Page 18 of Vengeful in Love
Brian smiled with genial good humor and took a drink of his beer. “As an incumbent myself, of course, I think I know what my constituents want better than someone with no experience.” There was a general murmur of agreement from the other men present.
“Of course. But a fresh perspective might be good for the state. Something a little more international. Although you were in China for a while, isn’t that right?”
Alex was watching carefully, and so he caught the infinitesimal narrowing of Brian’s eyes. “Yes,” the senator said. “You’ve done your homework, I see. Not many people remember that these days.”
“I try to understand people as best as I can. It helps when you need to ask a favor or get someone to see things your way.”
“I imagine it does, young man.” Brian was looking at Alex very directly now, the intensity of his gaze beginning to disrupt the genial expression on the rest of his face. “Let’s hope that you don’t ask for too much.”
Natalie began to tug discreetly at Alex’s sleeve. “There are some other guests I’d like to introduce you to. Let’s let these guys get back to their grilling, or we’ll never eat.”
Alex smiled and allowed her to draw him off. He’d pushed enough for the time being and had no intention of causing a scene at this early stage of the game. Brian had turned back to the grill, but his gaze never left them as they walked away across the lawn.
* * *
“What was that all about?” Natalie said.
“Nothing. I just wanted him to know I wasn’t going to let his family bully you.”
“Oh.” She blushed, embarrassed. So he’d heard what Louise had said. She cleared her throat. “Thank you for helping me out with Belle and Louise. I thought after what happened this morning… Look, I’m sorry.”
Alex made a dismissive gesture. “Let’s start over, shall we?” He held out a hand as they walked. “I’m Alex.”
She took it with a small smile. “Natalie. Enchanted, I’m sure.”
“Well, I certainly hope so. So, Natalie, tell me something. Why didn’t you stand up for yourself back there, especially against your sister?”
“It’s…complicated.”
“Try me.”
She squinted up at him in the afternoon light. “You really want to know all this?” Apparently he did. “Well… Marcus—he’s my ex. We dated for three years and broke up six months ago. He immediately got engaged to Sandra.” She paused and shrugged. “Now they’re married, and she’s pregnant.”
Incredulity mingled with wry curiosity. “You still have a thing for him?”
She let out short laugh. “Uh, no. I guess I wonder what would’ve happened if we’d stayed together. But I’m not crying over him. It’s over, breaking up was the right decision, and I’ve moved on.”
“So what’s wrong with standing up to Belle?”
“What’s wrong is I’m not going to make a scene, especially when there are guests around. It would only make me look silly and make her want to get back at me. It wasn’t the first time she’s tried something like this. I’m used to it. And as for Louise… Well, she’s still my…mother.”
Natalie closed her eyes. It was difficult to get the word out. Even though she’d done her best to win Louise’s approval and affection during the first twenty or so years of her life, she’d never considered Louise her “mother.” More like a woman who tolerated giving her room and board, nothing more. She had a suspicion that if it wouldn’t have made the Halls look bad, Louise would have thrown her into a trash bin herself.
Natalie didn’t want to be morose around Alex. She took his arm and led him away from the other guests. “Can I ask you something?” she said, deliberately making her
tone light.
“Hmm?”
“Do you have some kind of white-knight syndrome?”
He quirked an eyebrow.
“You seem very quick and eager to help. Twice in a row.”
Alex stopped and drew her to him. “I happened to see a damsel in distress and merely rose to the occasion.”
“You do that often?” She allowed her body to lean into his a bit. “Rise to the occasion?”
