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"I'm bringing Alexandria with me to the party, Mother."
"But I told you that Felicia and her family were coming."
I caught the frown that passed between her and Luke. Apparently, Mrs. Marshall wanted to push Luke together with Felicia and Luke didn't appreciate it. He was using me as an excuse to avoid her.
"Alexa's coming," Luke said, his voice firm.
"But Felicia will be so upset…"
"Alexa and I are seeing each other exclusively," Luke said, raising his eyebrows at me, pulling me even more tightly against him. "I wouldn't want to go without her. Felicia and I are friends, nothing else."
Mrs. Marshall harrumphed. She visibly pouted, her back stiff like she was preparing to do battle.
"But I—"
"Mother," Luke said, his voice acid. "I'm seeing Alexa. I'm not interested in Felicia. We're just friends."
"So, you invited Alicia, did you?" she asked, peering at me closely, assessing me from head to foot.
"Alexa," Luke corrected.
Mrs. Marshall glanced at me. "I imagine you'll look quite scandalous in a bikini, with that figure. For heaven's sake, don't wear one or we'll probably have to provide you with bodyguards to protect you from the young hounds who will be there and defibrillators for the older men."
I felt immediately naked and exposed at that, and wished I could pull down my skirt's hem a bit and maybe pull together the neck of my dress to hide my cleavage. I hated when people commented on my too-full curves.
"Mother," Luke said, frowning. "How can you be so crass?"
"Well, it's the truth," Mrs. Marshall said, eyeing me disapprovingly. "She's quite the full-figured girl."
"She's not full-figured," Luke said and raised his eyebrows at me. "She's beautiful." Luke regarded me with clear approval in his eyes, which made me feel a little bit better. He must hate his adoptive mother so much that he was starting to defend me against her, when only a few moments earlier I could swear he hated me.
"Well, whatever you say, darling," Mrs. Marshall said and sighed. "But I know Felicia will be very disappointed that you'll be bringing Alana and won't spend time with her."
"It's Alexa, Mother. Besides, Felicia understands," Luke said dryly. "It's you and Mrs. Blake who don't."
She gave me one last glance from head to toe. "Well, I must be off and circulate."
At that, Mrs. Marshall turned away, giving us an acid smile before she left.
Luke turned to me, his eyes meeting mine, a softer expression in them than he had earlier.
"I'm sorry about that. My adoptive mother's a bit of a witch."
"A bit?" I laughed nervously, surprised that he was so open about it. "She's certainly forthright in expressing her views on things."
"You always know where you stand with Mrs. M," John said with a grin.
"I need another drink," Luke said and exhaled. He glanced at me. “Can I get you another one as well?”
I nodded. “I better have something non-alcoholic. I have to study tomorrow for my comp."
"Comprehensive exam?"
I nodded. "Yes. I start doing thesis work as soon as I finish."
"What's your thesis area?"
"Globalization."
