Mr. Imperfect

chapter 50



Ice queen. It might not be the most flattering description for a person, but it was certainly the most accurate Mike could think of for Rori’s mother. Definitely not affectionate, and a far cry from supportive. Mike thought back to that first day he met Rori—to the family party when she had moved herself off to the side and watched his family like they were a sea of jack-in-the-boxes that might pop at any moment.

That unsettled look on her face from that night made a whole lot more sense now. Such an unruly scene would be a tad unsettling if one was used to a mom who treated her like a trophy and a father who was dating someone the same age as his child. Maybe younger?

As the two crossed the lobby Mike couldn’t be sure. All he could tell was that the woman with Rori’s father had the proportions of someone who was looking for a career in adult entertainment. Mike couldn’t even imagine what his reaction would be if his own father brought a date like that to one of his film openings. Rage, for certain. But when Mike glanced at Rori for her reaction, all he saw was resignation.

“Omigawd, it’s so big,” the blonde on her dad’s arm said as she gazed up at the ceiling. Rather than looking up to see what his girlfriend was seeing, Rori’s dad gazed straight down the blonde’s bodice.

“Agreed,” he said, and Mike could have sworn he heard Rori groan. When her father looked up, he caught sight of Rori and her mom and steered his date their way. Mike didn’t want to stare, but he kind of couldn’t help but watch the procession of the woman’s breasts as she walked across the lobby. No bounce to them, no natural movement. Just two stiff torpedoes stretching the skin around them to the max and ready to take out anyone in their path.

Right then Mike decided that natural was better, whatever the size may be. That said, he had to admit he was looking. Weirded out, or not, he was staring.

“Aurora!” her father called out as he drew closer. “You look gorgeous, my dear!”

The compliment raised Mike’s hackles for some reason. He didn’t like the guy, and had a feeling that wasn’t going to change. That was all he knew.

“Thank you, father,” Rori said, kissing both of his cheeks.

“This is Teddy,” he said, gesturing to his date. “Teddy is very into the arts.”

“I can see that,” Rori said diplomatically as her mom stepped forward.

“Hello, Richard.”

“Francesca,” he said with a nod. “Could Jean not make it?”

“He will arrive later,” her mom sniffed. “He needed to stop over in Shanghai.”

“Of course.”

In a matter of seconds the social temperature in the room went from frigid to arctic wind. Even Teddy picked up on it.

“I checked out some of your work online,” Teddy said, sending a big smile at Rori. “That parody stuff you did of modern idols of American culture? That was hilarious!”

“Thank you,” Rori said, politely, looking between her parents.

“And that other one for autism awareness? Of the literal representations of common sayings? Hil-ar!”

Rori’s lips curved up in a toothless smile. “Well, I’m glad I could make autism awareness amusing to you.”

“I know, right?” Teddy chuckled. “I mean, what else can you do?”

The simultaneous looks of death from Rori and her mom hit her dad at the same moment.

“Well, I hope you like this show as well,” was all Rori said. “I think you’ll find a lot of the pieces relatable.”

Mike hid a smile at the comment. An insult hidden inside a pleasantry? He hadn’t seen this side of Rori before: the well-bred bitch side. He’d certainly had a peek at the well-bred part of her, but for the most part she’d kept her kitty claws in around him.

“I hope you don’t mind,” Mike piped in, earning a cautionary look from Rori. “But I asked to tag along on your tour so Aurora doesn’t have to waste time giving me a separate tour. So please don’t mind me as I shadow you. I’ll just be listening in.”

“Of course,” her father said, giving Mike a once over. That alone would have been weird, but the look was compounded by the fact that Teddy looked him over at the same moment.

Yeah, Mike definitely wasn’t going to get along with Rori’s dad. Rori’s mom made no comment at all as Rori pointed them toward the exhibit hall and got the awkward ball rolling.

As far as tours went, Mike noted it was succinct and fact-based. No personal details, no stories about the pieces, and no praise from her parents who both seemed to regard the exhibit critically. Their lack of support was only slightly more disconcerting than Teddy’s instant attachment to the sculpture Rori had done of heart-shaped male and female hips.

“Oh, Richie, I want it!” she pled. “I love it!”

“We’ll see,” he said like a patient parent.

Mike watched Rori’s mom closely. She didn’t say a word throughout the entire tour, choosing instead to communicate her opinions through momentary looks aimed at her daughter whenever she had a moment of displeasure. Which was quite often.

What a mind game, was all Mike could think. How did a person stay sane in a family like that? He wanted to send Rori a few looks of encouragement, but quickly realized that she was purposefully avoiding him. And while that irked, he got it.

It wasn’t until everyone was sampling the wine that had been chosen for the following evening that Mike had a moment with Rori. She was frazzled, but Mike had dealt with frazzled women before. For once that night, he knew exactly what he needed to say.

Sliding in next to Rori as he grabbed a glass of wine, Mike leaned in and whispered, “What can I do to help?”

“Besides make the bubblehead disappear? It’s enough just to have my mom and dad here.”

He considered that. “Is that it? The girlfriend gone and things won’t be so rough?”

“It would be a godsend,” she said without hesitation. “But no need to try to step in, Mike. Girls like that don’t walk away from men like my dad unless they’re looking at an upgrade. You’re cute, but you can’t buy her a mini-mansion and a car for every day of the week.”

Mike smiled. “You and your pessimism again.”

“Realism,” she countered.

Mike narrowed his eyes playfully. “Twenty bucks says I can win her over and make you eat those words.”

She laughed, he was guessing for the first time that day. “Are you kidding? I’d give twenty bucks just to have that leech off my dad for five minutes so I can talk to him.”

A corner of his mouth quirked up into a smile. “Well, I am a man for hire.”

She studied him. “You’ll distract her for five minutes?”

“Yes, but that will be before I steal her away completely.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “No charge on that one.”

Her smile changed to a frown, which had Mike hiding a smile. He couldn’t be sure, but he would have bet money that it was jealousy that narrowed her eyes. Rori didn’t want him hitting on Teddy, even if it was fake. It was almost time to make his move. Thank god.

“I hate to burst your bubble, Mike,” she said. “But you are not an upgrade from my dad. You don’t stand a chance.”

“Oh, ye of little faith.”

“Oh, me of lots of experience,” she countered.

“Well, get ready to eat your words then,” he said with a smug smile before pushing away in Teddy’s direction.

It was to see how exactly how much he could ruffle Rori’s feathers.