by Melody Grace
“Can’t, sorry!” Letitia called, as she hurried upstairs. She looked around the bedroom, flustered. She was already running late, and she still needed her mascara, and the revenue reports she’d been working on… She rushed back downstairs. “Have you seen my sunglasses?” she asked, breathlessly.
Chase strolled over, and plucked them off the top of her head. “These ones?” he asked, smirking.
“Thank you!” Letitia leaned up and dropped a kiss on his cheek. Then she went to the mirror, and tried desperately to smooth down her frizzy, flyaway hair. She knew she should have taken the time to blow it out, instead of just letting it dry in the morning sun…
“What’s the occasion?” Chase asked, watching her. “Hot date?”
She snorted. “Nope. Lunch with my parents. They’re in town for the wedding,” she explained, touching up her lipstick. She checked her reflection, trying to see through her mother’s perfectionist eyes. Was her chic white dress asking for a spilled sauce disaster? “How do I look?”
“Overdressed.” Chase said, moving closer. He gave her a suggestive smile, the kind that made her stomach flip over, every time. “But I can definitely help you with that…”
He pulled her into his arms, kissing her until she was breathless and half-tempted to call her parents and cancel. But even through the hazy cloud of desire, Letitia knew, she couldn’t blow it off. She’d been working hard on her business proposals, and wanted to talk them over with her father before sending them to the rest of the board.
“I’m sorry,” she said, reluctantly back. “Raincheck?”
“It’s sunny out…” Chase kept kissing her neck. “Perfect beach weather. C’mon…”
“I told you, not today.” Letitia pulled away. “Seriously, I can’t be late for this. My parents are big on punctuality.”
“Sounds like fun.”
Letitia sighed. He didn’t understand. Her family was from a different planet to Chase’s, but that didn’t mean she loved them any less. “‘Fun’ isn’t exactly a go-to word in the Prescott family,” she explained wryly. “We’re more about ‘duty’, and ‘ambition’, and don’t forget, ‘profits’. Which hopefully, this fashion website project will deliver – if I can get my father to take me seriously, at least.” She slid her laptop into her bag, and the extra reports she’d printed, too, just for good measure.
When she looked up, Chase was watching her with a strange expression. “What?” she asked, her hands flying up to her face. “Do I have lipstick smeared all over my face?”
“No, it’s just… I don’t understand, why are you still jumping through hoops for them?” Chase asked slowly. “You’ve been locked up in here all week, working on that business proposal.”
“Because it matters to me, that’s why.” Letitia frowned, feeling defensive. “You know I’ve been working hard on this takeover analysis. It’s my chance to prove myself.”
“And all I’m saying is, you shouldn’t have to prove anything.” Chase argued. “You’re great at your job. Your father should be able to see that, and support you, without you tying yourself up in knots to impress him.”
Letitia snorted with hollow amusement. “You clearly haven’t met my dad.”
Chase was still watching her, so she sighed. “Look, you don’t understand. Your family is very different to mine. This is just the way it is. They expect a lot from me, but so do I. I want to nail this report. It’s pretty much the only thing that will stop me feeling like I’m failure for not being the one to walk down the aisle next week.”
“OK.” Chase said, still looking like he didn’t quite understand. But why would he? His family liked to joke about competition and rivalry, but Letitia knew she had the Prescott name to live up to, and that was no joke to her at all. “Where are you meeting them?” he asked, as she headed for the front door.
“That new French place on the square.”
“Call me after?” he suggested. “We could grab some snacks and hit the beach down the Cape. Jackson says the dunes out there are pretty private,” he added, with a smile.
“Sorry, but I have plans,” she replied, thinking of her endless to-do list. “There’s wedding prep, and work—“
“C’mon, you deserve a break.” Chase tried to take her hand, tugging her into his arms, but Letitia didn’t have time for another distraction.
“I said, I’m busy!” She ducked out of his embrace – and caught the wounded look on his face. “Look, I really have to go,” she added apologetically, grabbing her bag and giving her reflection one last check in the mirror. “Have fun at the beach.”
As she drove away, Letitia felt bad for snapping like that, but Chase just didn’t seem to understand this part of her life. Her parents, her social circle, the corporate world – they were demanding, sure, but they mattered to her, and it wasn’t as simple as just blowing them off for another day in the sun. Chase may have been content with whatever the next wave brought his way, but Letitia had other ambitions, and she wasn’t some uptight buzzkill for trying to make them happen.
Just another reason why he wasn’t the one for her…
Letitia swallowed hard. She didn’t want to think about that right now, she had enough other things on her mind. Like what kind of mood her father might be in, or how long her mom would make it before asking if Letitia had found a date to the wedding.
Sure enough, when she parked and walked over to the restaurant – a chic little bistro just off the Sweetbriar town square – she found her parents already settled at a table under the awning, sipping wine and watching people go by. “Sweetheart!” her mom said, getting up to kiss her hello. She gave Letitia a swift look over, finally settling into an approving smile. “Have you lost weight? You look wonderful.”
“Thanks, mom,” Letitia hugged her back, hiding a smile. She wouldn’t exactly call pizza and midnight brownies dieting, but maybe the workouts she’d been getting with Chase had some fringe benefits.
Besides all the orgasms, that was.
“Daddy,” she turned to greet her father with a kiss on his cheek. “What’s this I see?” she added, teasing. “No tie. On a weekday?”
Arthur gave her an affectionate smile. “Your mother ripped it from my neck the minute we crossed the Sagamore Bridge,” he replied, pulling out a chair for Letitia to take her seat. “You’re lucky she didn’t rip my shirt, too.”
“Mom!” Letitia laughed.
“Hush now,” Sylvie said, smiling. “You know I did no such thing.”
Arthur beckoned the waiter, and ordered for them all. “And the 2009 merlot,” he added.
“I’m afraid we only have the 2012,” the waiter said, apologetic.
“That’ll be fine,” Sylvie said quickly. “It’s a charming place, isn’t it?” she commented, when they were alone again. The town square was bustling with tourists and locals, strolling in the midday sun. “I had my concerns when Cal insisted on having the wedding here, but it’s really rather lovely.”
“There are plenty of lovely places closer to the city,” Arthur remarked dryly.
“You’ll survive being away from the office,” Sylvie chided him. “It’ll be good to see people in a more relaxed setting. Weren’t you saying that Clive Caldwell would loosen up about that licensing issue if you got him out of the boardroom?”
“You’re right.” Arthur paused, looking thoughtful. “We should have lunch with him and his wife while they’re down here, see if we can’t nudge a change of heart.”
“I already called Kathy, she’s checking their schedule.”
“Perfect.”
Letitia watched them chat about business acquaintances, plotting their priorities for the wedding. Her parents had always been the perfect team, working together whether it was a charity fundraiser or plans to remodel the guest room. Some people might think they were cold, or unromantic, but Letitia knew that the bond they shared was more than just business. Her mom still straightened his tie with a kiss every morning, and her dad still remembere
d to bring Sylvie’s favorite flowers home at the end of the week. And here they were, after thirty-five years together: finishing each other’s sentences before they’d even begun.
She wanted to grow old with someone like that. Maybe with fewer stuffy society functions, sure, but that same sense of loyalty. A commitment to the life they’d built.
“And what about you, sweetheart?” Sylvie finally turned back to Letitia. “How is your summer going? Have you met anyone special here?”
Letitia checked her watch. “Ten minutes before asking about my love life?” she asked, teasing. “You’re slipping.”
“It was a perfectly innocent question!” her mom protested. “I was thinking about seating, for the rehearsal dinner.”
“Sure you were,” Letitia smirked. “And no, I’m not sure if I’m bringing anyone. I probably wouldn’t have time to spare,” she added quickly. “I’ll be running interference for poor Eliza to keep you all from scaring her off. Really, mom? Quizzing her about baby plans already?”
“She’ll be family soon enough,” Sylvie replied with a smile. “Family talks about these things.”
“You’re lucky she’s so crazy about Cal,” Letitia said wryly. “Otherwise she’d be running far, far away.”
“Oh, don’t exaggerate.” Sylvie took a sip of wine. “But between us, when do you think they’ll start trying? I’m not getting any younger,” she added. “I want grandbabies soon, and since you’re not giving me any...”
Her words stung Letitia, and her feelings must have shown, because her mom quickly took her hand. “I didn’t mean it like that, sweetheart. I know you’re trying your best.”
Somehow, that was even worse.
Letitia turned to her father, eager to change the subject. “How are things at the office?” she asked. “Did the revenue reports for the last quarter come in where we thought they would?”
He nodded. “Thereabouts. Although, I still think there are to be more savings to be made in the Midwest publications. Maybe if we make it clear to the department heads there are incentives for trimming the fat…”
“Or, we could pass those incentives on to all workers, if they increase productivity,” Letitia reminded him. “The data shows—”
“Let’s not ruin a perfectly nice lunch with financial projections,” her mother interrupted. “Have you been having fun out here? Bitsy said she saw you at the club.”
Letitia nodded. “I’ve played a little golf. But dad, about those incentives—”
“You know who loves golf?” Sylvia interrupted again. “Cal’s old college friend, Nick. We ran into him just this morning, didn’t we?” she nudged Arthur. “He just sold his family company, and is looking very well. You should all get together, wouldn’t that be nice?”
Letitia sighed impatiently. “I’m sure I’ll see him when all the wedding celebrations get started.”
“Yes, but he might have met somebody else by then.” Sylvie caught Letitia’s exasperated look. “I know you think I’m joking, but weddings are a hot-bed for match-making. Your chance could disappear before you know it.”
“Then it just wasn’t meant to be,” Letitia replied.
Sylvie gave a disbelieving laugh. “Now, I know you don’t believe that. Honestly, sweetheart, sometimes I just don’t understand you,” she added. “If you spent half as much time looking for a husband as you did buried in all those business reports, you’d be happily married by the end of the year.”
Letitia knew she shouldn’t take offense. Hadn’t she thought the exact same thing? In fact, she’d turned her whole life upside down for the summer to find her chance at happiness.
But was that really true anymore?
Letitia picked at her food. Despite all her grand plans, she’d hit ‘pause’ on the whole strategy to spend her time with Chase instead. It was thrilling, and passionate, and fun, for sure. But she was no nearer to finding her perfect match than she was at the start of the summer.
And a whole lot closer to losing her heart…
The thought was enough to make her gulp the rest of wine. But when she looked up, she almost spluttered all over her salad. Because the man himself was crossing the street towards them – only, it wasn’t any Chase she’d ever seen. He was clean-shaven, with his hair combed back, wearing a freshly-pressed button down and jeans that didn’t even have a rip.
He looked respectable. Responsible. And sexy as hell.
And he was heading straight for her – and her parents.
Letitia panicked. What the hell was he doing?
Chase yanked at the collar on his shirt, already feeling like the damn thing was choking him. He’d been lucky to even find it, crumpled at the bottom of his duffel – and even luckier that Earl had let him use his iron to steam out all the wrinkles. He could only imagine what he looked like, dressed up for church or a job interview like this. A part of him was tempted to strip it off, turn around, and go hit the beach like he’d planned. But the other part?
Well, that part just felt guilty. An unfamiliar gnawing in the pit of his stomach. And he didn’t like it one bit.
He spotted Letitia and her parents, eating lunch outside a bistro on the square. He could clock Letitia’s tension clear across the street, even through that smile she was wearing. She’d been wound tight when he’d stopped by that morning, and he’d only made it worse. Instead of listening when she’d tried telling him what was on her mind, he’d just bulldozed over her, and made out like her priorities didn’t count.
Chase sighed. He was so used to joking around with his siblings, he forgot that some families didn’t work that way. And if impressing her parents was important to Letitia?
Then it was important to him, too.
“Letitia, hey,” he arrived at their table. Letitia looked irresistible as usual, and he was half-tempted to greet her with a sizzling kiss. But Chase kept his hands to himself. He was on a mission here, undercover, so he tried to look virtuous and sensible – like one of the boring guys she’d been dating all summer.
“Chase!” Letitia’s jaw dropped. “I… Umm, what are you…? Umm…”
He tried not to grin at her reaction. “These must be your parents,” he added, turning to the older couple at the table. “Chase Kinsella,” he said politely. “It’s great to meet you.”
“Likewise.” Letitia’s mom introduced them all, and Chase shook her father’s hand, taking in the perfectly-tailored clothing and distinguished smiles. Now he saw why Letitia had been so careful getting ready: They were all like something out of a magazine spread, not a hair out of place. “It’s lovely to meet Letitia’s friends,” Sylvie added, giving him an assessing look. “Have you known each other long?”
“We just met a month ago,” he replied. “I’m visiting family in town for the summer.”
“Really?” Sylvie seemed to like what she saw, because she beckoned over the waiter and insisted he bring an extra chair. “You must join us.”
“Mom!” Letitia protested. “I’m sure Chase is busy—“
“Not at all.” Chase said, enjoying how flustered she was looking. “I’d love to.”
“Really—“ Letitia looked even more panicked. “We’ve already finished eating.”
“Then he can have a drink with us,” her mom said, giving her a meaningful look. “Would you like a glass of wine, Chase?”
“It’s Chateau Le Farve,” her father added.
“Just as long as it’s not the ‘82,” Chase replied, and Arthur chuckled in agreement.
“I see you know your stuff.”
“Just a little,” Chase replied, faking modesty. The truth was, he only recognized the brand name from a conversation he’d overheard Declan having at the restaurant the other night, but he wasn’t about to tell them that. Besides, he could tell it was working: Arthur was pouring him a glass, looking relaxed, while Sylvie was still looking at him like he was a gazelle who’d wandered onto the prairie. And as for Letitia…
She looked like she wanted to craw
l under the table and disappear.
‘Relax’, he mouthed at her silently. He was here to help, not cause more problems, but clearly, Letitia didn’t believe him, because she took a tiny sip of water, every muscle in her body looking like it was clenched with tension.
“So, tell us about yourself,” Sylvie said, beaming. “How did you two meet?”
“Through mutual friends,” Chase lied. ‘I made out with her in a parking lot’ didn’t seem to be the right response. “I’m staying next door to her.”
“You managed to find a rental?” Sylvie said. “Well done. They’re like gold dust. We’re staying at the hotel for the wedding. Calvin, our nephew, is getting married. Do you know him?”
“Not well, but I’m working with his business partner, Declan, right now,” Chase replied. “I have a web design agency, and we’re building Sage a new website.”
“Quite a small project,” Arthur commented. “Just the one restaurant. I keep telling him, they should be franchising that place.”
Chase smiled. “Small, but popular,” he agreed. “To tell the truth, it’s more of a favor for a friend. My larger clients keep me pretty busy.”
“Oh really? Like who?”
“Dad…” Letitia tried to interrupt. “This isn’t a job interview.”
Chase gave a chuckle. “It’s fine. I’ve done work for a lot of boutique outfits,” he explained, “But our client list includes some bigger companies. RoyStar, Fashion Hub, The National Environmental Fund,” he said, picking the biggest clients. Arthur Prescott didn’t seem like the kind of guy to care about the great website he’d designed for the surf shop back in Santa Monica, but some stuffy blue-chip companies? He was guessing they’d pass the test. And sure enough, Letitia’s head snapped around.
“RoyStar?” she asked, blinking in surprise, naming the big international gaming company. “You didn’t mention that.”
“You didn’t ask.” Chase smiled back, amused. He wasn’t the kind of guy to go around dropping impressive names, but they sure didn’t hurt sometimes.
Arthur nodded approvingly. “Digital is our fastest-growing sector,” he said, taking a sip of wine. “If you have any insights you’d be willing to share, you should talk shop with someone in our online team.”