“Yup.”
“Okay. Wow.” He lets loose a rush of air. “Um, sorry about that. I wish Jin would’ve warned you.”
His words are kind, bordering on embarrassed. It softens me to him for some strange reason.
“We’re typically an afterthought in Mom’s head,” I say bitterly. “Sorry. I don’t want to take this out on you.”
He steps so close I can smell his cologne. It’s clean and crisp and obviously expensive. Better than any guy I’ve ever inhaled.
Not that I go around filling my lungs with another man’s scent. This would be a first.
Burning heat races over my flesh, no doubt giving away my thoughts. I peek up at this man beneath my lashes, wondering if he can see my humiliation. Navy blue eyes bore into me, a small frown tugging at his full lips.
My mother kisses those lips.
Naturally, the first man I’ve had an intense, visceral reaction to would be claimed by my mother. It tracks for my life thus far. Penny and I get the leftovers.
“Hey,” he says, voice rumbling and low. “It’s going to be okay. I realize this is abrupt and strange. But, I promise we’ll do whatever we can to make you feel welcome.”
At least he’s nice.
Mom doesn’t exactly date, much less marry, but I didn’t expect a man like Owen to be her type.
“Come on,” Owen says, gesturing toward where the kitchen must be. “I made steak and baked potatoes. You have to be starving after your flight.”
His hand moves to the small of my back and he guides me toward the kitchen. I suppress a shiver at his touch. Because his hand is so large, it splays across most of my lower back, teasing at the top of my ass. This time, I feel heat much lower.
Shameful.
Owen shows me into the kitchen and then points at a stack of plates where Cason is already snagging one. Mom is rapid-fire texting with one hand and has a full wineglass poised near her mouth in the other. Addison is blowing raspberries on Penny’s cheek.
I don’t know this world.
Not this nice family or even this house, but the circumstance. The situation my mother has put me in. I’m way out of my depth and gasping for air.
Get it together, Mei.
Breathe.
Owen gives me a quick, reassuring wink and all air is sucked from my lungs.
So much for breathing.
Chapter 3
Owen
She didn’t tell her.
What the actual fuck?
The look of shock, confusion, and hurt on Mei’s face was a kick to the balls. It was the slight wobble of her chin that made my heart sink. Then the sheen of tears in her eyes and how her cheeks turned pink with embarrassment nearly did me in.
Why wouldn’t Jin tell her daughter about this arrangement?
I’ll have to confront her about it later. For now, I need to make sure Mei feels at home. She’s been blindsided and uprooted from where she lived. This has to suck for her.
Everyone sets to making themselves a plate, even Mei, and chatters politely until we’re seated at the dining room table. Penny stuffs her face with pieces of potato, grunting and kicking her legs with excitement in her highchair.
