Family Pieces (43 page)

“Unbelievable!” Hanna said, feeling as though she was standing next to a movie star on Oscar night.

“Hi, Addy. You do look hot,” Brad interjected. “If you weren’t my sister...” He was stopped by the sharp jab in his side. “Ouch, Hanna.” They all burst out laughing.

Addison touched her necklace. “This may be expensive but…” She reached into her dress and pulled her puzzle necklace out from where it was tucked inside, “…this is priceless.”

Karsen pulled Addison into a strong embrace. Addison closed her eyes. It felt open, honest. She couldn’t remember when she allowed herself to feel a pure connection such as this. Maybe her emotional walls could be torn down after all.

She opened her eyes and blinked, noticing the man standing just past the ballroom’s entrance. His back was facing her, but the familiar silhouette caught her attention. Karsen felt her shudder.

“You okay?” Karsen asked.

Addison pulled back and tucked the charm back in her dress.

“Not sure.”

She continued to stare across the room. Karsen turned to see what she was looking at. The man looked toward them. He was dressed in a black tuxedo with a dark gray bow tie and matching vest. A row of black buttons polished off the shirt. Karsen thought for an older man he was devastatingly handsome.

“You know him?” Karsen asked.

“You could say that.” Addison recalled the conversation with her mother regarding sending him an invitation. She knew there was a possibility he’d attend. She figured it would be the same old routine as when she ran into any other ex. She had not anticipated her reaction. Her adrenaline soared, constricting her chest and clouding her thoughts. She couldn’t decide whether she wanted to stay or flee.

He caught her gaze from across the room. Her face remained blank. He strode toward her. With each step her heart skipped.
Could she let him in? Would he still want her to?

“Addison,” he greeted her, leaning in to kiss her cheek.

“Hello, Russell.” She tried to sound indifferent in an effort to evaluate his feelings before she breached any unforeseen boundaries. An uncomfortable tension filled the air as the others looked on.

“You look radiant.”

“Thank you.”

They both stood silently for a moment.

“Russell, this is my sister, Karsen.” Karsen shook his hand. “And this is my brother, Brad, and his girlfriend, Hanna.”

“Hi. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Brad extended his hand to shake. Russell grabbed it firmly, looking at Addison perplexed.

“Hi.” Hanna held her hand up in acknowledgment.

“Perhaps you’d like to get yourself a drink and then maybe we could talk outside?” Addison suggested. He looked at her with a guarded expression that she couldn’t read.

“All right. Would you like anything? Glass of merlot perhaps?”

“That would be lovely, Russell. Thank you.”

He nodded, then swiveled around and headed to the bar.

“Nice,” said Hanna, once Russell was far enough removed from earshot.

“He’s hot. Way to go, Addison,” Karsen added.

“I’d do him,” Brad said. They all looked at him simultaneously. “Just joking of course.” He grinned.

“Sorry, Brad, but I think he’s already spoken for.” Karsen winked at Addison.

Addison’s cheeks turned a cherry red.

“I’m not so sure about that,” Addison said, trailing off under her breath. “…and I can only blame myself.”

Karsen responded at an equally quiet decibel. “Then only you can fix it.”

She peered at Karsen.

“He could have any woman he wants. At any rate, he’s probably already moved on.”

“I think you’re wrong,” Karsen said.

“Me, too,” Hanna declared.

“Really.” Addison paused, intrigued at their confidence. “What makes you think that?” For a moment, she couldn’t believe she was asking advice from two women almost half her age.

“First of all, he’s here alone,” Hanna said assuredly. “Second, he bee-lined his way directly to you and didn’t hesitate when you suggested you two talk.”

“And lastly,” Karsen added, taking the words straight out of Hanna’s mouth, “you can see it in his eyes. He’s in love with you, Addison.”

“Honestly, you really think he’s still interested?” Addison asked, genuinely thrown. She couldn’t believe she might get a second chance. Not after how she’d behaved.

“Yes!” They retorted in unison. “Now go!”

“I heard about
Urbane
. I’m sorry,” Russell said meeting her outside and handing her a large round glass filled with wine. He watched as she swirled the wine like a professional sommelier. She raised it to her lips. The nose of the wine smelled of a sweet harmonious fusion of black cherry and plums. She pursed her lips against the brim and allowed the burgundy liquid to saturate her palate.

“The important thing is that no one was hurt. It could have been a tragedy.”

“I’m glad to hear you’re keeping it in perspective. I know how much
Urbane
means to you.” He sipped his drink, a smooth shot of scotch. He held back telling her how he had come to
Urbane
the day of the fire. How he had wanted to sweep her up into his arms. How he watched from the side lines, not letting her see him.

“I don’t know how you drink that straight.” She shuddered at the thought of the potent liquid burning her throat.

“Drinking it any other way would ruin it.”

They stood beside each other, an awkward silence hanging overhead like a thick storm cloud. Addison watched several couples interspersed across the balcony. She admitted to herself the atmosphere was quite romantic. The sky was striated with wispy clouds. Underneath the muffled voices, the gentle trickle of the waterfall provided a calming hum.

“Addison.” He placed his drink on the railing then slid hers from her hand and set it beside his. He took her hand and lifted it slightly more out of an act of compassion than of romance. He met her eyes with his. “Is this what Emily was referring to? I mean, your past…I thought you were an only child.” His voice strained as he searched for clarity.

She stood motionless, holding his hand. A sudden familiar urge to conceal the truth, to walk away, swept over her, but she knew running away now would defeat the purpose of initiating this interaction. If there was a chance to rectify their relationship, no matter how small, she had to divulge the truth. She’d been hiding for far too long. Without turning to face him, she nodded. He patiently awaited her explanation.

Addison recounted every detail from the moment she found out she was adopted to the present. He listened intently, allowing her to speak without interruption.

“I’m sorry, Russell, very truly sorry. I know my actions for all these years may have been based on an immature false reality, but to me my feelings were real.”

“I had no idea, Addy. I wish you could have trusted me with this.”

“I’m sorry,” she repeated.

He paused. “Me, too.” He squeezed her hand before letting go. “Should we go back inside? They’re probably about to serve dinner.”

She wanted him to take her into his arms. She wanted him to tell her everything was okay, but her courage failed her. Instead of asking him if there was still a chance, she simply nodded in agreement. Russell turned to leave.

“Russell?” She stopped him. “Before we go in, can I ask you a favor? If it’s not possible, I’ll understand. But, there is something I thought you might be able to help me with.” She explained her proposal.

“Absolutely,” he said, managing a cordial smile. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“Soooo?” Karsen asked as Addison took the seat next to her at the table. Addison forced the corners of her mouth into a slight grin and shook her head, not wanting to cry in front of everyone. Both surprised and disappointed, Karsen scanned the room for Russell. He had taken his seat and she could see that he’d entered into a conversation with the elderly couple sitting at his table. She couldn’t help but continue to watch him.
Give me a sign. Any sign
. Just then he looked their way and, noticing her attention, tipped his glass toward Karsen.
He is still interested!
she thought with a satisfied smile.

After dinner, Karsen fashioned her own agenda. Excusing herself from the table, she walked across the room.

“Would you like to dance?” Karsen placed her hand on Russell’s shoulder. Her boldness surprised even her.

“Certainly.” He placed the napkin from his lap onto his plate and walked beside her to the dance floor. “It’s Karsen, right?” He remembered from their brief introduction.

“Yes.”

“Karsen is a unique name. Very pretty, I like it.”

“Thank you.” She faced him, suddenly struck with the thought that her dancing skills consisted of holding her boyfriend’s neck while swaying back and forth, hardly the waltz. He grasped her hand lightly keeping a comfortably platonic distance as if she were his daughter. She placed the opposite hand upon his shoulder and felt a trace of relief as he began to lead.

“So, I’m guessing there is something on your mind other than dancing,” he said as he slowly whirled her around the floor.

“That obvious, huh?”

“Well, you’re half my age and from what I’ve been told, you’re expecting, so I’m guessing you’re not after a one night stand.”

She smiled. “No. I’ve had enough of men for awhile.”

“I see.”

“Addison, on the other hand…”

“Ah ha. That’s what this is about. I figured as much. Are we in fifth grade again?”

Karsen looked at him intently. “She didn’t send me. Just to be clear.”

“I know. She never would. Too stubborn.”

The fine lines around his eyes wrinkled as he smiled. His look was rugged but distinguished, like a model in an outdoor clothing catalogue. Karsen could see why Addison was attracted to him.

“She’s in love with you.”

“Did she tell you that?”

“Well, not exactly. But she is.” Karsen contemplated what to say next. “You’re in love with her, too.”

A faint smile crossed his lips and Karsen noticed how it appeared slightly crooked, a slight imperfection which oddly made him more attractive. The same trait Addison loved. “And what makes you think that? You’ve known me for all of an hour.”

“You’ve made one hell of an impression.” She giggled. “But seriously. I just want her to be happy.”

“As do I. And for the record, she pushed me away.”

The song drew to an end. The beginning of “Let’s Twist Again” transitioned the dance floor to a faster tempo. They stopped dancing and stood for an awkward moment staring at each other.

“She only pushed you away because she was afraid. Russell, you can’t let her go. Please, you have to talk to her.”

“Thank you for the dance, Karsen.”

His voice when he spoke had a hard edge. Karsen cringed as she felt an unyielding stab of defeat. She scrutinized his face one last time. The smile he forced was unconvincing and his weathered skin tightened around his brow. The spark in his eyes contradicted his voice. Instead, he seemed sad. He kissed her hand without another word and walked off the floor.

Across the room, Addison turned and caught a glimpse of Russell just as he exited. She wanted to run after him, but her feet wouldn’t move. She couldn’t find the courage. Her heart ached as she let her second chance walk away.