Mr. Imperfect

chapter 52



The moment Mike successfully steered Teddy away from her dad, Rori stepped in for some one-on-one time.

“Glad you could make it,” she said, hoping her smile didn’t look to plastic.

He smiled back. “Yeah, it’s been a while, hasn’t it? What, two years now?”

“Five,” Rori said, unable to stop herself.

“Really? You’ve been out of the country that long?”

“Time flies,” Rori said noncommittally. “So… Teddy. How long has that been going on now?”

“Oh, you know I don’t count.”

“Of course not,” Rori said, hearing bitterness in her voice. She needed to jump to what she really cared about before Teddy made her way back over. “So are you here just for the night, or do you plan on coming to the event tomorrow?”

“Oh, we’ll be here tomorrow,” he beamed. “Teddy is looking forward to all of the press that will be here.”

No class. Absolutely none. What had her mom seen in this guy all those years ago?

“I see.”

“But it’s a really great exhibit, Aurora. Really sexy. I like it.”

She flashed another plastic smile. “I figured you might.”

“And that heart sculpture—”

“—is not for sale,” Rori said before he could ask the question.

“Ah, c’mon,” he pouted. “Even to your dad?”

“Especially to my dad,” she said, trying to sound playful as she spoke even though she felt more than a little ill. Why had he come? He was so much easier to deal with when she didn’t have to factor in what a selfish ass he was, even after all these years.

“Ah, well Teddy will be disappointed, but—” Rori’s dad jerked to attention, his eyes fixed in the direction Mike and Teddy had gone. “What the hell is going on over there?”

Confused, Rori looked over her shoulder to see Mike gripping Teddy’s wrist with both hands while she reached out to cup what she could find between his legs. Well, damn if that boy hadn’t proven her wrong again. Apparently he could charm a gold digger.

And damn if Rori didn’t just hate him a little bit for never seeing fit to use whatever charm he had on her. Ignoring that for the moment, however, Rori turned back to her father.

“Well, Dad, it looks like your current trophy is going a little rogue on my videographer over there. I guess you’ve found yourself another winner.”

“Truly, Richard,” her mom added, coming up behind Rori. “You really should domesticate them before you bring them into public.”

Rori couldn’t help but smirk even as she watched Mike say something to Teddy while pushing her hands away—something Rori suddenly wanted to hear very much.

“Excuse me, but I need to go extricate my friend,” Rori said, starting their direction.

Her dad was right on her heels. “And I need to speak with my girlfriend.”

“’Girl’ being the operative term,” her mom added before following them both over to where the action was.