i

yhan in London. We grew up there, where my dad started the company-London being the oldest and most prestigious branch

with him if he is a pain in my as

y home. Minnie and her eldest daughter were splashing in the water, wh

and I still haven't met the bride," my mom r

to meet you yesterday, but you re

Minnie chimed in, flopping

er now," I offe

s a big day for her, and she's probably nervou

g about it, I gr

her," Minnie countered, sl

just because you said so," I shot b

ven't seen you in years, can't you do this one thing?"

I grabbed my towel

alf-heartedly, though I could tell she secretly

muttered, heading

ys and stepped into the driveway. I paused briefly in the

s what I'd been calli

ion card. The audacity of having to check my own

d aloud. A nice

I killed the engine and sat for a moment. Voices spil

ke that? Did you think I wouldn't find out you're int

hings? To intern at Tonyhan w

was followed by a woman's v

d. If Dia hadn't followed her, you wouldn

uietly, stepping inside. The argument grew l

me!" her father shouted

bing his arm before it could strike Cheryl. The rage

her?" I demanded, my

I was simply correcting her for lying

st

his jaw with a punch nearly overpo

, pulling her toward the door. She stumbled s

el was white-knuckled, frustration pulsing through me. I glanced at her in the rear

an? Then again, I don't even remember her dam

he words came out ha

softly, her v

owhere? You're over eighteen-you can leave! Why the hell do y

ropping to her lap. "He doesn't. It's just..

teering wheel, the sharp thud s

derstand her. She had every opportunity to leave, to stand up for herse

age. I wasn't in love with her. This was about

ne and turned to her. "Wipe your face. You're meeting my mo

her face was composed, though her eyes were still slightly

nounced, grinning like

hen, stopping abruptly whe

heryl said, bowing

iced the dampness on her sleeve. My grip on her wrist

but the awkward tension was palpable. I excuse

y. "I called Chris to have your things sent

were wet-I didn't want to hear another excuse. Her father threw water on her? She slipped and

ame back downstairs, ready to dive into

Mom asked, eyeing me as

get Cheryl. Knocking softly on the door, I

s. Her arms were wrapped around her waist, highlighting her slim figure and

outline of her nipples pres

u

actly the wrong way to start fulfilling the p

I intended. Without waiting for her response, I