"So, Katherine, how do you find yourself fitting in in my company?" Mr. Clifford asks. We have all resumed our seats on the sofas and I feel infinitely more comfortable about the way that I am tucked under Michael's arm.
"Oh... I love it, actually," I say, unable to help the blush that creeps onto my cheeks.
"Don't put her on the spot, Dad," Dana admonishes as she enters the room. She is carrying a heavy-looking tray of glasses with a bottle of wine, which she proceeds to pour into them.
"I'm not," Mr. Clifford chuckles good-naturedly. "She just seems like a very bright young woman. I was merely wondering if we might have the honor of keeping her for a while. You know that Lucas started in her position and he is one of the greatest assets this company possesses."
Michael shifts uncomfortably in his seat, withdrawing his arm from around me. I want to grab it and put it back, but I couldn't do so subtly.
"Dad," Dana mutters, glaring between him and Michael, who is now tense.
"What?" Mr. Clifford shrugs. "It's true. Just because Mikey isn't fond of him doesn't mean that he isn't a part of this family."
Michael balls his hands into fists and I want to slap Mr. Clifford in the face for saying that.
"Richard," Mrs. Clifford admonishes quietly. It takes me a moment to realize that she's talking to Mr. Clifford. Of course his name would be something like Richard.
Mr. Clifford looks between Mrs. Clifford and Michael before raising his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. It's nothing." There is a moment of tense silence before a knock sounds on the living room door. "But I hope no one minds that I invited him for dessert." Mr. Clifford says, hastily walking to the door. If I am not mistaken, he seems a little embarrassed.
"You what?" Dana growls. Aaron is leaning forward in his seat, and he places a hand on Dana's knee to reel her in. I don't blame her for her hostility though, I assume that she has seen more altercations between Michael and Luke than anyone else in this room.
Mr. Clifford opens the door and indeed Luke is standing there. His eyes find mine and I can tell that he wasn't expecting Michael and I to be here. He follows Mr. Clifford into the room and it is deadly silent. I can tell that Luke knows, the way that you just know when you walk into a room and can tell that someone has been talking about you. The tension in the air couldn't be cut with one of Mrs. Clifford's perfect real silver serving knives.
To the surprise of everyone in the room, Michael stands to his feet first. I almost jump up and hold him back, sure that he is going to advance towards Luke with the intent of taking him down. But instead, Michael reaches out his hand and shakes Luke's. I see Dana almost faint in surprise when Luke claps Michael on the shoulder, and I am sure my face holds the exact same amount of shock.
The tension in the air has been shattered, and Dana finally comes to her senses and jumps up to hug Luke herself. Luke makes the rounds, shaking hands and kissing cheeks, until he reaches me. We awkwardly embrace-especially awkward because Michael keeps an arm firmly around me-and Luke takes the seat next to me on the couch, to my right.
Dana hands everyone a glass of wine and I take one, wondering if I should drink it or not. Does she know that I'm underage? I think she does. Everyone here is of legal drinking age and no one seems to know or even care if I am not. Besides, I won't be driving anywhere tonight. I raise the glass to my lips nonchalantly and take a sip, cringing as the bitter red liquid hits my tongue. I shudder as I feel it burning all the way down to my stomach, and I hear Luke chuckle from beside me. Conversation has begun swirling around us, and Luke leans towards me a little.
