Miriam Coleman glares at me with the same annoyance she did the last time I met her. But as troubling as she is in her golden dress and perfectly matching jewelry, the man standing next to her brings even more dread.
At least a decade older than her, he stands tall in his impeccable tuxedo. His wrinkled face is too familiar not to know exactly who that is. Not when I’ve stared into similar gray irises for as long as I have.
“Aren’t you going to introduce us, Alexander?” the man asks, looking at Lex with contentment.
Fuck me.I’m about to meet Lex’s father, and as I did for the rest of his family, I’m not wearing underwear.
Gotta appreciate the consistency.
Chapter 31
The way Lex tugs me closer to him is almost instinctive. And it doesn’t make what’s about to happen any better.
Although I know very little about Mr. Coleman, I didn’t expect him to look like this. Maybe it’s because I’m biased and can see so much of Lex in his wrinkled features, but while Miriam Coleman’s bitchiness is all over her face, Richard Coleman has something endearing to him. But I’m not letting that fool me.
Since Lex doesn’t say a thing, still protectively holding me close to him, his father takes it upon himself to get the introductions he wants.
“You must be Miss Walker,” he says, offering his hand.
I reluctantly shake it. “Mr. Coleman, I didn’t know you would be among us.”
“And we didn’t know you would be either. I imagine this makes you much more official than we’ve been led to understand.”
Lex chooses this moment to step in and says, “I don’t know how I could have made her any more official than I did. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we were on our way out.”
“It’s still so early,” Mrs. Coleman counters. “Walk us back to our table, would you? Bethany has been asking about you, Alexander. She would love to catch up for a moment.”
“Maybe another time,” he tells his mother.
“Oh, come on. It’ll only be a minute.” She hooks her arm around her son’s, leaving no room for discussion, and leads the way toward their table. I’m left with his father, crossing my arms to deter him from offering his. He walks slowly, probably because of his age, so they distance us fast.
“I’m told my son is smitten with you?” he asks.
“Smitten is an understatement.”
“Human emotions were never Alexander’s thing, so this is new to us.”
I do my best to hide the massive frown that wants to twist my brows. “Lex has multitudes of emotions,” I counter. “I’ve come to realize he actually cares deeply about things—more than most people I know.”
There’s a moment of silence as we slowly advance through the tables.
“Are you taking his defense to keep up the appearances?” Mr. Coleman asks.
“What appearances?”
“The ones hiding why you’re dating my son.”
I’m so shocked by his words that I stop in my tracks. “And why am I dating him, Mr. Coleman?” I ask, sensing anger slowly rising in me.
“I’ve had people look into your family, and it seems none of you are after a green card. So, the answer is obvious, isn’t it? Money.”
I stare at him, incredulous and appalled. “What do you mean, you had people look into my family?”
“If he ever lets go of his ridiculous pet project, Alexander is meant to inherit my company. You’ll understand my wife and I aren’t letting just anyone get close to him.”
I always thought Lex was emotionally broken because of his parents, but I’m realizing he’s as amazing as he isdespitethem.
“Isn’t it your father’s company?” I counter.
