Page 51 of If Love Had A Price (If Love 3)

“Who are you texting?”

Once again, Roger’s voice yanked her out of her thoughts.

“What?”

“Who’s so important that you have to text them during a family dinner?” Roger repeated, sounding more curious than upset.

“No one,” Kris lied. He may not be an attentive father, but Roger was quite particular when it came to the boys she dated. Only upper class, Ivy League types need apply.

Not that she was dating Nate. They were just…hanging out.

“Perhaps it’s her new boyfriend,” Gloria said primly. “They’ve been spending alotof time together.”

Kris’s gaze snapped toward the Stepmonster. The redheaded troll stared back with unnerving composure, considering she’d been ready to ride said “boyfriend” like a bronco before her fiancé showed up. What the hell was she doing, bringing Nate up?

Something dark and insidious stabbed at Kris’s stomach.

“Really?” Roger’s frown reappeared. “A boyfriend this soon? It’s not one of those British boy band singers, is it?”

“God, no.” Kris grimaced. “It’s—he’s not—”Shit.She didn’t want to endure her father’s inevitable interrogation, but she couldn’t say Natewasn’ther boyfriend. Not when she’d been all over him in front of Gloria and had all but professed her love for him to bait the other woman into making a move. The Stepmonster was a jealous, vindictive bitch like that. “He’s an actor.”

“Hmm.” Roger didn’t seem impressed. “What’s his name?”

“Nate.”

He shot her a look.

Kris sighed. “Nate Reynolds.”

“I’ve never heard of him. What movies has he starred in?”

What she wouldn’t give for a glass of wine right now. “He has a role in an upcoming Oscar Bravo film.”

A tiny role, but Nate would be the star during those two minutes. That counted, right?

“What about his past films? Any Academy Awards?”

Kris’s skin itched the way it did whenever she touched polyester. Except she was wearing silk, and her discomfort had everything to do with her father’s questions and nothing to do with cheap fabrics. “He’s done mostly TV work.”

“Oh, darlin’.” Gloria’s laugh grated against Kris’s nerves. “Don’t lead your father on. Nate isn’t afull-timeactor.”

“Then what the hell is he?” Roger demanded.

“He’s a waiter, aspiring to be an actor.” Gloria’s mouth was a triumphant slash of red against her face. “It’s quite romantic, really, the heiress falling for the help.”

Kris clenched her hands into fists beneath the table. Her Chanel camellia cocktail ring dug into her palm with a sharp bite. Yes, Nate was a waiter, but she hated the way Gloria said it.The help.Like it was a disease, and Gloria herself hadn’t been in his position a few years ago. It wasn’t like Nate’s socioeconomic status had stopped the Stepmonster from offering him a blowjob—and more—out of either lust for him and/or spite toward Kris.

“If shacking up withthe helpis good enough for my father, it is for me,” Kris said coolly, even as her blood simmered with anger. “At least Nate has higher ambitions than spending someone else’s money and going to the spa every week.”

Gloria tsked. “You would know, wouldn’t you, sugar? Like your father said, your spendin’ has been out of control.” She paused delicately. “I’m sorry. I forgot about your job this summer. Are you sure everythin’ is goin’ okay with Bobbi? I saw her at Fred Segal the other day. She mentioned you seemed…distracted at work. Somethin’ about press clippings and not pullin’ your weight? I hope Nate isn’t distractin’ you.”

Bobbi, you bitch.

Kris’s mouth curled into a snarl. “Speaking of Nate, why don’t you tell us what you—”

“Enough!” Her father slammed his hands on the table. The silverware rattled with alarm, and Gloria and Kris both fell silent.

“This is not how I envisioned dinner,” Roger ground out. “You two were supposed to get to know each other better this summer. Kris, you’re my daughter, and Gloria, you’re going to be my wife. I expect you to have aharmoniousrelationship. Understand? You don’t need to be best friends, but I will not tolerate you squabbling like this every night.”