Undone by Francette Phal Read Free Book Online

are you going to make an honest woman out of my sister here?” Ellie teased , laughing when the man flushed. He was saved from answering when Noah came running downstairs; Sophie and Andrew following at a more sedate pace.
    “DAD!” Noah, bundle of energy that he was , ran to give his father a long awaited hug. “When did you get here?”
    Nicholas smiled and ruffled his hair. “Early this morning. How’s it going, kiddo?”
    “I beat Grandpa at DeathRacer 3! It was my highest score!” he boasted with a smile, his bottom front teeth missing. “No one can play like you, Dad! We have to get teams and play together!”
    It was hard for Nicholas to concentrate on his youngest son’s exuberance when his oldest daughter was holding on to the arm of a man who was nearly his age.
    Sophie’s nerves went into overdrive when she saw Nicholas critically eyeing Andrew, who for his part, stepped forward and reached his hand out.
    "Andrew Hunter .” For a stretch of eternity, Sophie feared Nicholas wouldn't take the offered hand, but she breathed easier when her adoptive father's hand finally grasped Andrew's own.
    "Nicholas Grayson." Sophie bit her bottom lip, hating that something so good in her life was causing so much dissonance. She wanted to flee, but Andrew's steady hand on her lower back kept her rooted.
    "Did you both sleep well?" Ellie stepped forward, her warmth quickly dispelling the frigid tension her lover emitted. "Are you hungry, Andrew? There’s breakfast in the dining room."
    Andrew respectfully declined. He did , however, open his mouth to say something completely unexpected. "If my presence here has made you in any way uncomfortable, I'd like to apologize to you and your family, Ms. Holbrook. It wasn't at all my intention."
    Nicholas’s eyes narrowed . "And what was your intention, exactly?"
    "Not to incur your wrath, that's for sure ,” Andrew deadpanned.
    "Well, it's a little bit late for that, I can assure you."
    "Dad."
    "Nicky ,” Ellie warned.
    "I think it would be best if I stayed in a hotel room."
    "Andrew, no!"
    The corners of Nicholas’s lips upturned in a malicious smirk . "I'll have security escort you off the premises."
    "No! Dad!"
    "Nicholas, that's enough! No one is leaving. Andrew, please excuse our behavior, we're usually not this impolite. Nicholas and I are still in shock. It isn't everyday our eldest daughter brings home a man ten years her senior and expects us to be OK with it."
    Andrew nodded . "That's to be understood, Ms. Holbrook, and I sincerely apologize for the discomfort.”
    Knowing that her lover was on the edge of snapping, Ellie held onto his arm, preventing him from doing anything rash. "Ellie, please, and it’s alright. Now, why don't you and Sophie head to the dining room and grab a bite to eat ; there's plenty of food, so please don't be shy." She smiled for added affect, putting them both at ease. The moment they disappeared around the corner, Ellie’s shoulders sagged and she sighed.
    "Nicky you promised!" she grumbled, facing her obstinate lover. "You have to at least try to be civil to the man."
    "I don’t like him."
    "Yes, but that’s why we’re going to be civil and get to know him,” Ellie retorted.
    Nicholas sighed frustratingly . "There’s something about him I don’t trust, Ellie."
    "I'm not asking you to be his best friend, Nicky. I just need you to be kinder."
    "To a pedophile?"
    "May I remind you that Sophie is twenty?"
    "Mom’s right, Pops," Dylan piped in, clapping his father on the back. "Soph’s a big girl, and it’s completely legal. Besides, I think you should take comfort in the fact that your son isn’t into cougars. Like to date within my own age group. Although, if I had a cougar come on to me—" He waggled his eyebrows suggestively, grinning up at his glowering parents.
    "Come along, dear," Dina called to Dylan, knowing she needed to save his hide before he earned himself a punishment. "Walk me to the dining room, your poor Nan's