Steele Family Romance Collection

by Cami Checketts

  “Let’s do this, then. Stop hiding. You’re an absolute angel inside and out. I am certain Slade knows and appreciates your adorable insides; let him have the complete package. For me.”

  Mae’s stomach filled with ice. “But Kit … Even if you dolled me up as fakey as you could get me, I wouldn’t be worthy of Slade. I’d never fit in his world.”

  “You’re wrong. You’re out of his league. Nobody deserves you, Mae, but I also think you have some illusion about what world Slade lives in. I’ve dated men like him, and they’re great. They’re fun to be around, charismatic, kind. Yes, they are more driven, successful, and influential than the average person, but Slade would never make you feel like a lower-class citizen. Don’t let yourself feel that way. Savvy?”

  Mae got all choked up at her friend’s words, and people were pulling into the parking lot for Kit’s next class. She gave her friend a quick, sweaty hug—gross, but needed—and muttered, “Savvy. Let’s do it.”

  “Yes!” Kit squealed, squeezed her tighter, and lifted her off her feet. Plopping her back down, she punched both fists in the air. “Yeah, baby! My girl is going to slay Slade Steele!”

  A woman walking into the gym stopped and stared at Mae as if she were an alien. “Truly? You’re going after Slade Steele? As in the Patriots superstar Preston Steele’s brother? Slade’s the super wealthy, good-looking one, right?”

  Mae’s stomach churned. Kit’s pep talk aside, she wasn’t in Slade’s social class, nor was she in Slade’s beauty class.

  “Slade’s going after her,” Kit said, giving the lady a challenging glare.

  The woman’s jaw dropped. “Wow. Changing up his MO.”

  “Go get warmed up,” Kit commanded the lady.

  The woman shrugged and walked inside.

  Kit glared after her. “She’s going to be dripping with sweat and begging for mercy after this class. What a brat.”

  Mae swallowed. The lady’s tone of voice hadn’t been bratty. She’d been truly shocked. She blew out a breath and mumbled, “I need to get some work done.”

  Kit nodded. “Okay. I’m done with classes and training at one. I’ll make appointments and pick you up at one-thirty.”

  “Thanks.” Mae wandered toward the bike rack. Would a makeover even matter? You couldn’t change a leopard’s spots, no matter how badly you wanted to.

  Chapter Four

  The beauty salon had been an insane experience for Mae. Kit was a woman on a mission, and she’d had several people working on Mae at the same time. One lady was putting on fake eyelashes while another was manicuring her fingernails. Another lady was highlighting her hair while yet another worked on her makeup. It was absolutely insane, but she’d survived. Kit had even gotten ahold of their family friend and eye doctor and picked up some contact samples. Mae had been surprised how comfortable the contacts felt. She’d hidden behind her glasses, assuming they were easier to use. Looking around at the bright world outside the large windows of her home, she felt like she could finally see, not impaired by her glasses’ frames or weight.

  Kit burst in the front door, her arms laden with dresses and shoes. “Okay, we’ve only got twenty minutes before I need to drive you to Sushi Sticks.”

  “I can walk. It’s like half a mile away.” Mae walked or biked everywhere. Occasionally, if emergency necessitated it, she used an Uber or Lyft.

  Kit’s jaw dropped. “You are not walking in these heels! I had to borrow them from my mom because your foot’s smaller than mine. I wish we’d had more time to go into the city and shop, but the ferry takes too long.”

  Mae’s stomach tightened. Kit knew what the city and driving across the Golden Gate Bridge did to her. The few times Kit or her family had gotten Mae into the city, they’d been understanding and took the ferry or rented a boat to get across the bay. They were truly the best people.

  “Thanks for sharing your clothes and your mom’s shoes,” Mae said, hoping they could avoid dissecting the emotional damage from her past right now. She wanted to be upbeat and happy for her date with Slade.

  “Of course. Mom was thrilled about it and only asked for pictures and details later. You’re going to look so fabulous.” Kit strode toward the stairs and Mae’s upstairs bedroom. She’d had her parents’ home redone when she got her first bonus from Slade’s company, but she couldn’t bring herself to touch her parents’ or sisters’ bedrooms. Instead, she’d shut those rooms off, turning her room and the guest bedroom and bath upstairs into a suite that overlooked the bay. She loved it.

  They ascended the stairs, and Kit dropped her load of dresses and shoes on the bed. She shoved a light-blue slinky dress at her first. “Try this one. I think it’ll be perfect.”

  Mae’s stomach squirmed. Would Slade be all dressed up? What if she was overdressed and he realized how desperately she wanted him and how awkward she was? “What if he’s not dressed up?”

  “Have you never Googled the man?”

  “Only three to four times a day.”

  “Did you see him last night?”

  “Not very clearly. Someone stole my glasses.”

  Kit laughed. “True that. Sorry, sis. Well, he looked fabulous, and he was wearing an open-collared button-down shirt with slacks, but no tie. You told me he’d just flown in, so obviously he dresses nice most of the time. Plus, he’s excited about this date. He’ll be dressed up.”

  Mae bit at her lip. She highly doubted Slade was excited about this date or thought much of it. His texts were probably teasing, as usual.

  “Stop biting off your lipstick.” Kit pushed the dress against her chest. “You’re going to look fabulous. Try it on!”

  Mae walked into her attached bathroom, flicking the light on. She stopped and stared at herself in the mirror. She’d almost forgotten that the contacts weren’t the only transformation. She had makeup on and her dark hair had beautiful golden highlights added to it. Her hair was in long curls, and with the tastefully done eyelashes and her full lips a beautiful pink, she had to admit she looked like a woman off the movie screen. Maybe Slade would think she was beautiful and want to date her.

  She slipped out of her T-shirt and shorts and into the dress quickly. Its capped sleeves showed off her toned shoulders and arms, its knee-length hemline was classy but displayed her lean calf muscles, and it molded to her body perfectly. The pale blue sort of shimmered and made her skin and dark eyes look amazing. She squealed just like Kit would. “I love it!”

  Kit yanked the door open. Mae spun, and her friend’s face was all the confirmation she needed. “Yes! I’m a genius and you are gorgeous. Yes!” Kit pulled her out into the bedroom and grabbed some sparkly silver heels off the bed. “Try these.”

  Mae slid them on, teetering, and stood almost as tall as Kit’s five-eight. “I’m going to trip and fall on these.”

  “We’ve got a few minutes to practice.”

  Mae held on to Kit’s arm, and they walked around the room several times. Then Kit got her a silver purse ready with lip gloss, her phone, and a credit card. They descended the stairs and Mae was wobbly, but she miraculously didn’t fall. She went solo across the living room and out the front door, only teetering a few times.

  “You got this. Dang, your calves look goo-ood. I rock as a fitness trainer, don’t I?”

  “Yes, your morning torture is finally worth it. Maybe burpees aren’t a complete waste.” Mae didn’t point out that walking and biking everywhere might have contributed to the striations in her calves.

  Kit held the car door for her, glowering. “It’s fun, not torture, and we work hard for optimal health, not just to look good.”

  Mae laughed. “Keep telling yourself that.”

  Kit grinned, slammed her door, then hurried around to get in. “And we’re off to our dream date!”

  They drove quickly to the restaurant. Mae’s palms were sweating, and she almost wiped them on her dress, but she caught herself. “Sorry,” she mumbled, seeing Kit’s chagrined look.

  “Y
ou’re okay, sweetie. You’re absolutely amazing, and he’s going to love you.”

  “Thanks,” Mae forced out, not really believing the pep talk.

  “But if you ruin my dress with sweat, I’m going to take it out of your hide at the gym in the morning.”

  Mae did an exaggerated full-body shiver. “I’ll be good, I promise.”

  Kit laughed as she pulled up to the front door of the sushi place and slammed it into park. She looked over and dabbed dramatically at her eyes. “I feel like a proud mama.”

  “Thanks, Kit … for everything.”

  “Of course.” Kit squeezed her hand. Mae pulled on the door handle, but Kit didn’t let go. “Wait! Prayer.”

  “Thank you again.” Mae released her pent-up breath.

  Kit said a short prayer for Mae to be calm, to be herself, and to have a wonderful and safe evening. They squeezed hands again, Mae mumbled one more thank-you, and then she was on the sidewalk, looking at the sushi restaurant’s front doors and trembling from head to foot.

  “The prayer didn’t work,” she muttered to herself, but then she felt instant guilt. She needed to have faith. She said another silent prayer, threw her shoulders back, and strutted toward the restaurant. Tripping on who knew what, she fell forward and smacked her shoulder on the door. “Ouch!” she yelped.

  Clinging to the door handle, she glanced back to see Kit leaning across the car console with the passenger-side window down. “You okay, sweetie?”

  “Doing fantabulous. Good thing we got the contacts, though. Can you imagine how bad this would be with me blind?”

  “Worse than last night.” Kit blew her a kiss.

  The restaurant door swung open. Mae stepped back, teetering but luckily not falling. Two men came out, looked her up and down, and smiled appreciatively. One held the door.

  “Thank you,” Mae murmured.

  “Are you alone?” he rushed out.

  “Meeting someone.”

  He nodded, his eyes dimming. “Have a great night.”

  “You too.”

  She walked in, and the hostess smiled at her. “For one?”

  Mae felt like her tongue was stuck to the roof of her mouth. “I’m … meeting someone. Can I sit at a corner table until my friend gets here?”

  “Of course.” The hostess led the way to a table where Mae would have a view of the entire restaurant, and Mae luckily didn’t fall in the heels.

  She sat down, and a male waiter brought her a water and set a menu down. “Anything to drink besides water?”

  “No thank you. I’m waiting for someone.”

  “All right.” He grinned at her. He had a great smile, and the confident and appealing way he carried himself made her feel comfortable around him. “I’ll be back to check on you in a minute.”

  “Thank you.” Mae realized she was clinging to the clutch purse thing. She set it on the table and tried to appear relaxed and charming. She crossed her legs, put a smile on her face, and put her shoulders back. Seconds ticked by as long as hours, and she waited and waited, staring at the entrance to the restaurant and praying furiously. Please let him come. Please let him like me.

  The waiter came back. “Are you still doing all right? Can I start you an appetizer? Maybe a daiquiri, Diet Coke, or flavored lemonade?”

  Mae blinked furiously. Something about the Diet Coke made her flash back to yesterday. She had been wearing her Diet Coke shirt and trying to get to Slade, and it didn’t work. Were they not meant to meet? Was he ditching her? How many minutes must have passed for the waiter to be checking back in with her? “I’m fine, really. Thank you.” She blinked and blinked, but a tear spilled out. She gasped. Kit would kill her for ruining this makeup.

  The waiter’s bright blue eyes widened. He whipped a napkin from the silverware, squatted down in front of her, and gently blotted the tear on her face. “Is he someone important to you?” he asked quietly.

  Mae nodded, unable to speak. She really appreciated his kindness.

  “If he stands you up, he’s the biggest idiot on the planet.”

  “Thank you,” she managed.

  He nodded and stood. “And just for the record, it’s not just because of how beautiful you are. You have a light that shines from you. It’s more than obvious that you’re as pretty on the inside.”

  Mae put a hand to her heart. “Thank you again.”

  He smiled. “And if he doesn’t show up, I’ll find a replacement to work for me and I’ll take you out. If you’re interested.”

  Mae laughed, tears forgotten for the moment. Anyone would be interested in this handsome and kind man, but she wanted Slade. “I have a beautiful friend I’ll set you up with.”

  He smiled and turned away, but not before she heard him mutter, “Sweetheart, no friend could compare to you.”

  Mae sat there, stunned. She hadn’t had attention from men in so long that she’d forgotten how wonderful it felt. The waiter left, and she kept perusing the restaurant. Would Slade really stand her up? Then a horrific thought hit her. The Golden Gate Bridge! Supposedly, the accident and fatality rate on the bridge was lower than most, but she didn’t believe it. That bridge had already stolen most of the people she loved. What if Slade had gotten in an accident?

  Her body went cold and her head was too big for her shoulders. Not Slade. She had no claim on the man and no relationship with him, but she already loved him. What could she do?

  She heard her phone ding with an incoming text. Ripping the purse open, she pulled the phone out with trembling fingers.

  Accident on the bridge. My driver says at least twenty minutes. So sorry I’m late.

  Mae felt the anxiety leave her. She said a prayer for whoever was in the accident, thankful it wasn’t Slade. He hadn’t ditched her, and he wasn’t dead, and the waiter had said she was beautiful. Slade would come, and this night could still be the best of her life. It would just start a little later.

  I told you not to be late. She included a laughing emoji so he’d know she was teasing.

  Believe me, I would swim to you if I could.

  Mae grinned. How cute was he? But then you’d smell like seaweed and lose all chance of a goodnight kiss. She hit send, but she was horrified when she realized what she’d said. Slade probably thought of her as a work associate or a buddy. Between the waiter tonight, Mike hitting on her yesterday, and being dolled up, she’d built up too much confidence. She was making a complete fool of herself with Slade. She waited with bated breath as he typed.

  Good thing I’m wearing my Armani Code, then, isn’t it?

  Mae bit at her lip and held in a squeal, but only because the restaurant was crowded. It was highly possible he was simply teasing with her. They teased each other all the time, so that was the likeliest scenario, but she could still hope. Very good thing.

  Please order some appetizers and a drink for you. I hate the thought of you sitting there with no man and no food.

  Oh my, how she loved him. Was it really possible Slade could be interested in someone like her? Not the her sitting here all dolled up, but the her that wore baggy T-shirts and huge glasses and had issues nobody should have to deal with because of her family’s deaths.

  I can do that. She typed. Get here safe.

  I can do that. See you soon.

  Mae stowed her phone in her purse, grinning like a fool.

  “With a smile like that, I’d say he’s at least on his way.” The waiter had approached from the side.

  “Realized he didn’t want to miss out on all this fun.” She gave a confident wink she wasn’t feeling.

  “He’s a very lucky man.” The waiter grinned. “Would you like anything while you wait?”

  “He told me to order some appetizers. Would you bring some veggie tempura and some yellow-tail nigiri? Oh, and I’d love that Diet Coke you offered earlier.”

  “Of course, my lady. Coming right up.” He bowed slightly and walked away.

  Mae relaxed in her chair, finally not apprehensive or sca
red. Slade seemed to be genuinely interested in her. Even if it wasn’t romantic, he would never be degrading or mean to her. Would he like the way she looked tonight? Would being here together, with her making an effort to be attractive for him, change their relationship? Happy bubbles filled her stomach. It was exciting and fun, and the possibilities opening up were more exhilarating than anything she’d experienced in her short, boring life.

  She smiled at other people in the restaurant, people-watching for a while. The friendly waiter brought her Diet Coke and the appetizers. He was extremely handsome, but she wasn’t interested in anyone but Slade.

  She picked at the food but couldn’t eat much with the happy nerves surging through her. Twenty minutes passed, and she was watching the entryway diligently again. Any minute now, he was going to walk around the fancy barrier that gave separation to the entryway. She reapplied the fancy gloss coating that was supposed to go over her lipstick, rubbed some coconut and lime-scented lotion into her hands and discreetly on her neck, and studied the spot where he should appear.

  Slade strode around the barrier, and her heart stopped. He looked better than she could’ve imagined. He was in a white button-down shirt that was open at the collar, a navy suit coat, and gray slacks. His face was sculpted and manly, and his dark eyes with those darker lashes about killed her. He moistened his well-formed lips and his eyes perused the restaurant.

  His gaze stopped on her and lit with interest.

  Mae smiled invitingly, her heart walloping against her chest and her every dream about to come true. Should she stand, wave, go give him a hug? Was a kiss permissible yet? What about touching his chest? No, she needed to stop those thoughts, pray to have a magical evening with Slade, and then pray harder that he went for a kiss. Tonight was going to change her entire life. She felt it.

  Slade nodded slightly to her, and then his eyes continued to peruse the crowded restaurant.

  What the … what? Mae blinked, confused and suddenly scared. Was Slade looking for someone else? Was she not attractive to him all dolled up? What if he didn’t even recognize her? She started second-guessing everything about herself and her makeover. If she went and rubbed off all her makeup and put one of her funny T-shirts on, would Slade smile at her?