Page 44 of Be My Valentine

She blinked, almost in disbelief.

“Don’t make that face,” he scolded her good-naturedly, “and think hard about what I’m going to ask you.” he caught his breath “If I’m too old, for you, I’d like to know as soon as possible. There would be no point in trying to understand…” Mark froze Kate was not a teenager and he had always seen her as a woman, not a girl, but he needed to know if the age difference was an issue for her; and there was nothing he could do aboutit, unfortunately.

Kate rose on her tiptoes to kiss him and Mark relaxed the shoulders he had unknowingly stiffened. He saw her smile and felt her hand stroking his hair.

“I’d say that’s a no.” he said looking at her relieved “My age is not an issue.”

Kate left her palm on his cheek.

“That’s a thought that never crossed my mind.” she paused “Now let’s get out of here before anyone starts asking weird questions: you go first.”

“We can walk out of here together; Lawyer Holmes has already figured it out.”

“Oh God… is he going to tell your father?”

“He’s known me since I was in diapers, he won’t talk. My parents will know when you’re already working somewhere else.”

“Mark!” she stopped him before they left the file room “There’s no rush. No need to make any big announcements.”

“We’ll decide that together, okay?”

He would shout it to the four winds as soon as he could.

Chapter 18 / Kate

Calm can’t be in love,

for what is gained

is always only

a new starting point to desire more.

(Marcel Proust)

The black knit dress wrapped her up perfectly. She had no excessive curves and the result was elegance with a hint of sensuality. Mark certainly appreciated it. As she rode the elevator up to the Arrow family’s penthouse, she felt a knot in her stomach. She was lying, for a good reason of course, but she still felt bad.

Mark squeezed her hand to give her courage and let go before he stepped inside.

The penthouse was stunning and immense. High ceilings decorated with floral stucco and wood paneling on the walls. Kate tried hard not to look too stunned. They were the last to arrive. Mark stowed both of their coats and led her into the living room, where the table was already set.

She saw Emma on the couch, pouting.

“My daughter doesn’t like enforced rest,” his mother greeted her with a smile, “don’t mind her. It’s almost ready. Would you like a drink?”

Kate declined and was surprised not to see hosts of servants. An intimate atmosphere in an upscale setting.

“Your father is in the library.”

“His favorite room!” said Mark “Come on!”

He led her down the hallway with the walls full of photographs, Kate would have liked to stop and study them one by one, Mark however pushed a door left half closed and it seemed like entering heaven.

“Hi, Dad, remember Kate?”

Paul Arrow rose to greet her, but she barely looked at him.

Leave me here!