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“Yes, I plan to.” Kasem fiddled with his tie, as if it was too tight around his neck.
“I’d love to throw a shower for the bride,” Lillian added.
Royce snickered. “For which bride?” he muttered for Kasem’s ears only.
Ill at ease, Kasem bowed again. “Thank you, Mrs. Winston.”
“I’ll show him around.” Royce pulled Kasem away, saving him from the awkward conversation.
The mansion glittered with brightly lit crystal chandeliers dangling from the ceiling in the entrance hall and various rooms of the first floor. A delicious winter aroma of apple cider floated in the air.
Determined to leave early and join Tracy at her parents’ house for their first dinner as a couple, Kasem had followed Royce in his own car. “Damn it, I shouldn’t have come. Can I leave now?” Kasem threw a hopeful glance at the door.
“Are you crazy? We’ve just stepped in. Did you tell Tracy you’re coming here?”
“Yes, I explained that it was a family gathering, and that I would drop by for a half an hour to meet your family.”
“I hope she didn’t take offense at not being invited?”
“Not at all. She said she understood.”
Strange how love changed people. The sweet woman Kasem praised so much was quite different from the spitfire Royce had dated.
“Here are Susan and Mrs. Chen. We should go greet them. And behind them, Matt and Brenda with their baby. Come, I’ll introduce you.”
Kasem and Matt shook hands and sauntered to the bar, where a bartender poured drinks while caterers distributed appetizers.
“Kasem, I brought you your lovely fiancée. She looks gorgeous as usual.” Lillian held her hand on Susan’s back, leading her toward the bar while her mother sat on the sofa, watching them.
Even more gorgeous than usual.
Susan had donned a new orange dress, decorated with brown rhinestones around the neck, sleeves and hem. At the sight of the two Ss embroidered on her pantyhose, Royce couldn’t help an appreciative smile, his eyes almost popping out.
The infamous pantyhose.
Her face, a blank mask devoid of smile, she shook hands with Kasem, and then with him. Her fingers felt like icicles.
“You’re cold. I’ll get you a drink.” Yet he restrained himself from making any gesture that could betray their relationship.
Stiff as a post, Kasem stared at her. “You’re wearing my necklace,” he grumbled.
Her eyebrows arched. “Shouldn’t I?”
“Here’s a drink, Susan.” Royce handed her a cup of hot cinnamon punch. “It’ll warm you.”
She rubbed the glass between her hands and sipped. “Thank you, Royce. I feel better.”
The three of them remained at the bar, drinking, and watching the newcomers as the house filled with guests. Dr. Jason Randall, Matt’s partner at the Winston clinic, Greg Haynes, Lillian’s son, and Dean Tristan joined them at the bar, all chatting and laughing. Finally, Kasem and Susan loosened up and mingled.
“The whole staff is here,” Lillian commented, “but I don’t see our dear Heidi.”
Royce’s father had often called his older nurse, Heidi, his clinic’s dragon. “No one can mess with Heidi,” he’d claimed. “Our clinic wouldn’t survive without her.”
“I think she just arrived.” Jason commented. “How can you miss her voice?”
Royce heard her all right, and he also heard a strident laugh that froze the blood in his vein.
He glanced at Kasem who seemed transformed into a petrified block, eyes bulging, jaw sagging. “Oh my lord, I hope I’m wrong.”
