the wind blew Alex’s hair around her face, she tucked the errant strands behind her ears. She’d opted for a straight look today, figuring she didn’t want to scare the Morrisons with her wild curls just yet. Christmas Day she’d introduce the full Afro. “Yeah, fine. Just trying to settle in as Justin Morrison’s girlfriend.”
Justin laughed. “You realize you’re closer to me than any other girlfriend I’ve ever had in my life?”
Alex chewed her lip. That was not exactly what she wanted to hear. But whatever. It was too late to back out now. She could do this. Besides, push come to shove, she could always call Cassie for an SOS. An emergency that required her to come home. “You realize that’s not promising to me, right?”
Justin laughed. “Well, it’s the truth. We Morrison men can be hell on women.”
“Why do I have a feeling that’s more about you than being a Morrison?”
He grinned. “Because you know me.”
That stupid grin got her every time. The butterflies whacked their wings low in her belly, and she would do anything to see that expression again. Yeah, she knew it. She needed help.
They pulled up into the marina, and she couldn’t help but be struck by the sheer beauty of it. Granted, they lived in San Diego, so a picturesque sunset over a marina was nothing new, but Catalina certainly was breathtaking.
Justin helped her with their bags and she had no choice but to follow him outside. She expected to see someone. Family, even Grandma Lucy. From what she’d heard about the old lady, she’d have fought tooth and nail to meet Justin at the ferry stop. But there was no one there, save a single chauffeur, holding up a sign that said Morrison. Seriously? Not one person in his family could be bothered to drive over and pick them up? Okay, then. She needed to do a quick mental recalculation on his family and what it meant. Norman Rockwell would not have painted this family.
As if Justin could read her thoughts, which was, hello, scary, he said, “Don’t bother being surprised that no one came here to meet us. I’m not.”
That single line told her everything she needed to know. No one besides his grandmother was looking forward to Justin coming home. And no one in the family was deserving of his love and affection. She would just have to take over the caring duties, then.
The car wound around the island, driving along the coast before finally pulling up to the Morrison estate, which sat behind the Morrison Hotel and had a 1930s F. Scott Fitzgerald glamour to it. Justin opened the door for her. “The palace awaits, milady.”
When they made their way to the front door, it opened and Alex plastered what she hoped was a winning smile on her face.
Out walked a man who could’ve easily been Justin’s brother. Their frames were similar, but while their eyes were the same shade of brown, Justin’s always looked warm like melting chocolate, and this guy’s were flinty, dark and cold.
“Well, I would say the prodigal has returned, but no one wanted you home.”
Alex scowled at the guy. She was trying to be on her best behavior as she waited for Justin to say something. Even better to knock the guy on his ass. But her best friend did nothing. Merely clenched his jaw and ignored the comment.
Well, she couldn’t stand for that. “Justin, sweetheart, who’s this asshole?”
The other man cocked his head. “Well, this one is feisty. I do like feisty. Pretty, too. Sweetheart, are you sure you’re supposed to be with this guy? I’ve got more money. Better looking, too. I’m Martin.”
Alex twitched to slap him. If only Justin would let her hit him. Justin grabbed the last of the bags from the valet and tipped him. Before Alex could open her mouth, he leaned down and whispered, “Remember, we’re here for Grandma Lucy. Ignore him. You’re only succeeding in giving him what he wants.”
The problem was, ignoring idiots was not her strong suit, except for Brian. Damn. Her big mouth was why Justin liked her. It was also why a lot of other people didn’t. You came for him. She sighed. She had come for him. So she’d have to play his way. “I’m Alex, Justin’s girlfriend.”
She would just go ahead and ignore that happy buzzing feeling those words gave her.
Martin grinned at her. It was more leer, really, than grin. “I’m Martin. And I’m CEO of Morrison Hotels.” He said it like he was announcing at some grand ball. She didn’t have the heart to tell him he should wait for someone else to announce him first.
“Well, you must be very proud of yourself.” It was the nicest thing she could think of to say. Because what she really wanted to say was high on the not-appropriate list.
Behind Martin someone put a hand on his arm and tapped him out of the way. When he stumbled to the side, a diminutive woman with a shock of white hair, aviator sunglasses and a wide grin said, “I’ve been waiting for you two to show up.” Considering she’d been in the hospital, Grandma Lucy was spry enough to stride over to her grandson and wrap her thin arms around him, squeezing tight.
Now, this... This was what Alex wanted from his family. The love and devotion were clear and glowing on Lucy’s face. The old woman stepped back and took a proper look at her grandson. “You look like you haven’t been sleeping. I certainly hope it’s not because you’re worried about me,” she said to him.
Justin shifted on his feet and avoided her gaze. “It’s good to see you, Grandma. This is Alex.”
Grandma Lucy turned and scrutinized her. “I do like it when my grandson exceeds expectations.” She reached out and gave Alex a tight hug.
Damn. Wasn’t this woman supposed to be sick?
Grandma Lucy stepped back and nodded her approval. “Oh yes, you’ll do just fine.” Then she turned to her grandson. “Alex? Haven’t you been telling me for years about your best friend, Alex?”
Justin scratched the back of his neck. “Yeah, well, Alex is my best friend. She’s just also my girlfriend.”
Grandma Lucy nodded. “I approve. Now, let’s get on inside. There’s cooking to be done and rooms to be assigned. Martin, stop standing around and come get their bags. Take them up to their rooms.”
Martin sputtered. “But we have valets for that.”
Grandma Lucy leveled a look on her other grandson that made him jump. Martin hopped to it, took the bags from Justin. She gave Martin a satisfied nod as he lugged them inside. She leaned in and said to Alex, “Sometimes you just need to know how to handle men.”
Alex fought a grin. She liked Grandma Lucy. Maybe this Christmas wasn’t going to be so terrible after all.
“Now, Justin, I put you and Alex in the blue room. South facing so you’ll get plenty of light. And you’ll be able to see the shore from there.”
Alex frowned. The blue room? As in one room? “Um, Miss Lucy. I know how traditional you must be—I wouldn’t dream of spending the night in the same room as Justin.” She sent Justin a beseeching glance, silently pleading with him to do something. Justin, come on. Come through for me.
Justin shook his head. “Grandma Lucy. Since when have you been down for cohabitation? With Martin’s girlfriend, you
