Mr. Imperfect

chapter 9



Technically there were only eighteen people surrounding Rori and Luke, but she felt like she was standing in the middle of an arena. In usual Cannon fashion, everyone was talking at once. The difference was that Luke seemed to be able to understand the individual words.

“I’ll tell you the story,” he called out, motioning for everyone to hush. They did, smiling and sharing excited looks, until Shelly broke form. She was looking for something and her smile faded when she didn’t find it. After one more quick glance around the yard, she replaced her smile and looked back at Luke.

Curious as to what had Shelly concerned, Rori took a look around as Luke started the story.

“It’s really simple, actually,” he said, reaching for her hand and smiling. “I was in Bangkok, trying to visit the Wat Pho and my cab driver took me to the wrong place—something they apparently do to all the tourists. He was telling me I owed him fifty bucks to get some place I hadn’t remotely asked to be. Rori saw what was going on, took pity, and stepped in.”

“Aw, your princess in shining armor,” Shelly teased.

“Something like that,” he said, pulling her in and looking to down to her in an unspoken cue for a quick, demonstrative kiss. Rori obliged, hearing a chorus of ‘aw’s before eyes they broke apart to see how Luke’s best friend and impossibly cute younger sister were taking the news.

Only then did Rori realize that Mike wasn’t in the group. There were only seventee—no, sixteen people in a semi-circle around them. Kris, the perky blonde—or “the affair waiting to happen,” as Rori had begun to think of her— was gone too and within seconds Rori knew that everyone in the group was distinctly aware of the fact. All except for Luke, who seemed oblivious.

“From there we just played tourist together. I just didn’t want to leave Rori, even to come home. And then all of a sudden I was proposing. When I saw her boarding her flight to Turkey, I just knew I couldn’t let Rori walk out of my life. I wanted her with me. Forever.”

Mrs. Cannon dabbed her eyes. “That’s beautiful, Luke.”

“Yeah,” Shelly muttered. “Didn’t know he had it in him.”

“You’re going to have to propose again,” Mike’s dad said. “And with a ring.”

“A ring Rori gets to pick out,” Shelly added.

“No, really,” Rori said, uncomfortable with the push for romance. “Once was enough. I promise. My answer’s not going to change.”

Shelly laughed. “Clearly you’ve never been engaged before. You’re going to want to string him up in the trees.”

All the women laughed at that, while the men stayed silent.

“I think this deserves a toast!” Mike’s voice called out as he stepped out of the patio door carrying several stemmed glasses filled with a clear, bubbling liquid. Kris stepped out behind Mike, carrying more glasses, and Rori watched an actual sag of relief ripple through the group as the two of them reappeared.

“All we could find is Sprite, but I think it fits the mood,” Mike said. “Kids, your cups are inside. Go grab them.”

Sprite? The Cannons toasted an engagement with soda? Rori definitely wasn’t in Europe anymore.

“I’ll get you one,” Luke said, leaving her standing where she was and joining the throng for glasses. Moments later, children came back out with cups of Sprite and called out a “congratulations” to her before they chugged their drinks and headed back to the tramp. Trailing behind them, Luke returned to her side.

“M’lady,” he said passing off the drink, just as Mike raised his glass.

“To Luke and Rori,” he said loudly. “May they both find the love they’ve longed for.”

Love? Oh, Rori had found love, all right. Years ago. She’d also watched it flit away without looking back, leaving her broken. No way she was going back there, but she raised her glass with everyone else, chimed glasses with Luke and took a sip of Sprite as Kris moved in to stand next her.

“Good luck,” Kris said, her assessing gaze anything but casual. “Trust me, you’re going to want advice, so feel free to ask us anything, anytime.”

“Sure,” Rori replied, though she didn’t really mean it. She and Luke could handle things on their own. But still, Rori was very interested in the dynamics of Luke and this girl with the quintessential all-American good looks that westerners were so partial to. She watched as Kris stepped over to congratulate Luke, interested to see if Luke would try to hug her again. Kris didn’t even offer him a chance to make a move before offering her fist for a bump.

“Congrats, bro,” she said, her tone completely casual. Rori narrowed her eyes, trying to tell if it was too casual.

“Thanks. She’s awesome, right?” Luke said with his usual Luke smile as he squeezed Rori against him.

“Well, maybe if you’d get out of here so we can talk to her then I would know.” Kris bobbed her head toward the children. “Hit the tramp, Luke. We women are hijacking your fiancée.” When Luke didn’t immediately split, Kris turned to Mike. “Help him out, will you, brother?”

Mike smiled, as Rori watched something invisible pass between Mike and Kris. Some secret that had the quick nod Mike gave his sister turn solemn for the barest moments before he slapped Luke on the shoulder and looked at Rori.

“You’re way out of his league,” Mike told her with a wink. “But a total keeper. We’ll keep you for as long as you want to stay around.” He then turned to Luke. “Now let’s give the women some privacy to plan the rest of your life, shall we?”

“But—”

Any objection was futile. It was like the Cannons had planned for the announcement. All the men were now hovering over the barbecue while the woman circled the chairs and sat, clearly waiting for Rori and Kris to join them. Rori didn’t know whether to be charmed or a little scared.

“We don’t bite,” Kris said with a friendly smile. “We just want to make sure you know what you’re getting into. Come on over.”

With no other real option, Rori took her place with the females on the porch.