Armando Returns (Barboza Brothers) by Reeni Austin Read Free Book Online

sorted out before I go to bed.”
    With a glum nod, Victor said, “Okay. Don’t stay up too late,” as he headed for the door.
    Ramon responded with a half-hearted wave.
     
     

* * * * *
    It was Thursday, the day after Katie met Victor, and her constant thoughts of Armando were still going strong. She had not seen her fiance, Mitch, since dinner on Tuesday evening and she dreaded lunch with him and her parents today. Memories she locked away years ago now seemed fresh, in the front of her mind.
    How could she possibly look Mitch in the eye when she was fantasizing about another man?
    Katie sat at the bar at five minutes till noon, nursing a glass of ice water as she waited for them to arrive. All she really wanted to do was take the week off and stay in bed, pretending she was sick. And honestly, ever since her thoughts of Armando started, “sick” was exactly how she felt.
    Sick that she spent more time thinking about Armando than she did Mitch. Sick that she had to face her father today and pretend—as she had for years—that Daddy was actually a nice guy. That he hadn ’t ripped her away from her first love without explaining why.
    She sat at the bar, trying not to appear tense, when she heard her Dad and Mitch laughing, then felt her mom ’s hand on her shoulder.
    “ Katie.” Her mom, Lisa, shook her gently. “Katie-bug. You all right?”
    Katie took a deep breath then slowly swiveled around on the bar stool. “Uh-huh. Hi Mom.”
    Suspicious, Lisa gave her daughter a once-over. “Are you sure? You look like you’re off in dream land. Better be careful sitting at the bar like this or they’ll think you’re slacking off at work.”
    “ It’s okay. I’m on lunch break and my boss knows how hard I work. It’s fine.”
    Lisa shook her head as she took her daughter ’s arm, leading off to the table where Mitch and Dwayne were already sitting down. “No matter what, you always need to do your best. Especially if you become a senator’s wife someday. The last thing you’ll want are your old co-workers coming forward, saying you’re lazy, making up rumors because of all the extra work they had to do on your account.”
    Katie sighed. “Mom, I put in more hours than anyone else here.” Then she stopped talking, fearful that in her anxiety she would let out the wrong words slip and start an argument with her. Appearances . They were all her parents seemed to care about. Katie and her little sister, Chelsea, had always silently rolled their eyes at the constant admonitions. People judge you by the company you keep. Do you think the First Lady of the United States of America would wear a skirt that short? Whatever you do, don’t let anyone take your picture tonight.
    Katie ’s jaw tightened as she drew closer to the table where Daddy was still laughing with Mitch.
    Mitch ...perfect, educated, Daddy-approved...All these years, Katie knew that had to be why Daddy hated Armando. Dwayne McCormack wanted his two girls to marry men he could respect as if they were his own sons, and Armando didn’t fit his idyllic mold.
    Mitch was so into his conversation with Dwayne, he barely noticed Katie standing there. “Oh, hey honey.”
    Mitch and Dwayne both stood from their chairs long enough to be courteous as their companions took seats. Dwayne went a step further and pulled out Lisa ’s chair for her. But Mitch simply leaned forward and gave Katie a peck on the cheek as she sat.
    Katie said, “Hi hon,” to Mitch, and with a weak grin said, “Hi Daddy,” to Dwayne.
    Dwayne, oblivious to his daughter ’s hesitance, put his elbows on the table and said to her, “Mitch here tells me you two been lookin’ at houses already.”
    Katie shrugged, feeling defensive. “Yeah. What’s the big deal?”
    Dwayne sighed. “I wish you’d let me know. Our wedding gift to you’s gonna be your down payment, just like we gave your sister when she got married.”
    Mitch patted Katie ’s hand. “Yeah. You should’ve said