You’re right, it’s none of my
business,” she whispers to me.
There’s a knock on the door that startles Kate and I
apart. Grace pokes her head around.
“Everything okay, darling?” she asks Christian.
“Everything’s fine, Mrs. Grey,” Kate says immediately.
“Fine, Mom,” Christian says.
“Good.” Grace enters. “Then you won’t mind if I give
my son a birthday hug.” She beams at both of us. He hugs
her tightly and thaws immediately.
“Happy birthday, darling,” she says softly, closing her
eyes in his embrace. “I’m so glad you’re still with us.”
“Mom, I’m fine.” Christian smiles down at her. She
pulls back, looks at him closely, and grins.
“I’m so happy for you,” she says and caresses his face.
He grins at her—his thousand megawatt smile.
She knows! When did he tell her?
“Well, kids, if you’ve all finished your tête-&agra一ve;-tête,
there’s a throng of people here to check that you really are
in one piece, Christian, and to wish you a happy birthday.”
“I’ll be right there.”
Grace glances anxiously at Kate and me and seems
reassured by our smiles. She winks at me as she holds the
door open for us. Christian holds out his hand to me and I
take it.
“Christian, I really do apologize,” Kate says humbly.
Humble Kate is something to behold. Christian nods at
her, and we follow her out.
In the hallway, I gaze anxiously up at Christian. “Does
your mother know about us?”
“Yes.”
“Oh.” And to think our evening could ha一ve been
derailed by the tenacious Miss Ka一vanagh. I shudder at the
thought—the ramifications of Christian’s lifestyle revealed
to all. Holy cow.
“Well, that was an interesting start to the evening.” I
“Well, that was an interesting start to the evening.” I
smile sweetly at him. He glances down at me—and it’s
back, his amused look. Thank hea一vens.
“As ever, Miss Steele, you ha一ve a gift for
understatement.” He raises my hand to his lips and kisses
my knuckles as we walk into the living room to a sudden,
spontaneous, and deafening round of applause.
Crap. How many people are he
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