Troublemaker (Songbird #6)

by Melissa Pearl

  Running a hand through my hair, I turned to look her straight in the eye. “Okay, here it is.”

  Her thin, dark eyebrows shot up. “Here what is?”

  “The truth.” I swallowed. “See the thing is, ever since the first time I saw you, you’ve been on my bucket list.”

  She leaned away from me, bumping into the rope behind her. “What?”

  The confused look on her face made me grin. “Making you laugh has been on my bucket list for…” I flicked my hands upward. “For forever. You’re locked up so tight sometimes, you know?”

  She stiffened, and I was worried I’d said too much.

  I went to brush my hand down her arm—a friendly, reassuring gesture—but her posture was so guarded I thought it’d be safer to stick with words alone. “I want to make you smile. I just…when you smile, the whole world lights up. My whole world…” I looked to the ground and scuffed my shoe on the rough path. “Seeing you happy makes me happy, so please, just open your mind to the idea that this could be fun. You don’t know anyone around here.” I spread my arms and pointed to the crowd. “No one’s watching you or judging you. Just let loose and help a dying guy out.”

  Her eyes bulged, her pallor dropping to a translucent white. “You’re not dying.”

  I chuckled, a little chagrined. Her shock of fear both surprised and delighted me. I scratched my forehead. “I will one day, so do me a favor and enjoy this.” I winked.

  She slapped my arm for scaring her then looked away with a shake of her head. A small smile teased her lips, but she brought it into line by pressing her lips together.

  We shuffled forward, and I decided to keep my mouth shut. My speech hadn’t worked, and it could potentially be the worst date in the history of mankind.

  She cleared her throat and murmured, “Would you rather go to a family wedding dressed in drag or perform the chicken dance on stage at a Chaos concert?”

  I tipped back my head, a loud laugh booming out of me. She flushed, slapping her hand over my mouth as those around us all turned to see what was so funny. She gave them a demure smile then bulged her eyes at me with a clear “don’t embarrass me” look. I stifled my laughter, delicately removing her long fingers from around my mouth and running my thumb along the palm of her hand.

  Her smile was fleeting and chased away by a nervous titter as she withdrew her hand and tucked it into her jacket pocket.

  I scratched my top lip. “I think I’d have to go for the chicken dance, although dressing in drag could be pretty funny. I’m just worried I’d snap an ankle in a pair of heels.”

  She snickered then dipped her head, a thick waterfall of dark hair hiding her face from me. I wanted to tuck it behind her ear but forced the thought away by rubbing my hands together.

  “Okay, my turn. Would you rather eat a bowl of snails or a fried tarantula?”

  “Ew!” She made a face, poking out her pink tongue.

  Even pulling a disgusted face she looked pretty.

  “You have to answer it.” I pointed at her.

  “You’re disgusting.” She said it like she meant it, but her eyes were twinkling.

  I chuckled. “Hey, you started this game.”

  “You start—” Her indignant reply was cut short by my playful grin. Her lips rose into a knock-out smile. “Tarantula. It’d be over quicker, and I could maybe fool myself into thinking it was something else. Snails are just all slime.”

  “Not a fan of the ol’ escargot, huh?”

  “That would be my dad.” She pulled another face, which made me laugh, and we moved another few paces up the line.

  The game carried us through until we got inside. When it came to theme parks, Disneyland was the best of the best. They even made the wait for a ride interesting, and once we got inside Kelly was completely enraptured with our surroundings. She couldn’t hide her awe, and I couldn’t help my chest puffing with just the teensiest bit of pride. Maybe this hadn’t been the world’s biggest mistake.

  I told her about some of my previous Disney experiences and how my family came here at least once a year as a fivesome. Sixsome now that Griff had gotten married. Kelly seemed impressed and mystified at the same time. I still couldn’t believe her parents had never brought her to a place like this, even when she was a kid! My parents broke the bank getting us here when we were younger. Once Mom started working again, we were able to afford annual passports, and we’d never looked back.

  Our turn arrived and as we were put into the final line, I noticed how quiet Kelly had become. I studied her out of the corner of my eye. The delicate dimple in her chin kept appearing as she clenched her jaw. When the 1930s-style car lurched to a stop in front of us and we were told to board, her nostrils flared.

  As we slid into place, I reached for her hand and gave it a light squeeze. “Trust me.”

  Her eyes glimmered with a smile and then we were off. I kept a close eye on her and grinned as her expression morphed from terror to wonder to screaming and finally (triumphantly) unadulterated laughter. We got off the ride and she leaned against me, giggling like an excited kid. As we stepped back out into the late afternoon light, she became aware of the people around us and pulled herself together.

  I nudged her arm and tipped my head. “This way. Let’s go do the Pirates of the Caribbean.”

  We spent the next four hours on some of my favorite rides. The lines were made short by playing “Would you rather…” and, without realizing it, Kelly told me a lot about herself. I’d already guessed some of it, but I’d garnered insights into her favorite foods, music, and movies all by asking the right questions. She asked about my college experience and how I got the job at Torrence. I told her everything; after all, Mom always said honesty was for the best. Kelly stayed pretty tight-lipped about her college experience, and every time I felt her tense up beside me, I steered the conversation toward another game. By the time we were lining up for the nighttime performance and fireworks display, we were playing the Alphabet Game and laughing as we tried to think of a famous actress whose name started with X.

  The crowds were getting thick as we shuffled onto the platforms surrounding the lake. I threw caution to the wind and pulled Kelly close to me before she could get bumped or knocked over by somebody. I really didn’t want to scare her off or push her away, but like hell I was going to see her get hurt. Every time I drew her close, I’d immediately drop my hand away. By the time the fireworks were lighting up the sky, her back was pressed against my side and I could smell the blueberry shampoo in her hair. I wanted to dip my nose into her luscious locks and inhale. It was damn hard resisting the temptation, but I managed to stay strong and not screw up what had ended up being a pretty successful evening.

  After the light show, we were heading for the exit when I managed to coax the truth out of my date and she admitted she wanted to stay ’til closing and do a few more rides. It took everything in me not to jump in the air and whoop.

  The date lasted for seven hours. Yes, seven! I’d never had so much fun in my life. I drove her back to the Torrence parking lot so she could collect her car. As much as I wanted to kiss her, I didn’t. I’d promised myself that if I ever wanted a shot at date number two, I couldn’t make the experience about my attraction for her. She was stunning and used to guys fawning all over her body, but I wanted to prove that I wasn’t like the rest. I kept my distance and walked her to her car, even sliding my hands into my pockets so I wouldn’t be tempted to renege on my resolve.

  “Well, thank you for giving me the date I always wanted. I hope it wasn’t as terrible as you imagined it would be.”

  She grinned as she dug the keys out of her bag. “You did good. I had fun, but you still need a lesson in how to take a girl out.”

  “Oh really?” I tipped back on my heels, adoring the playful way she was smiling at me. “Why don’t you show me then.” My voice nearly broke as I attempted to make light of my thundering heart. Was I seriously trying for a second date?

  “E
xcuse me?” Kelly’s eyes narrowed, and I forced a nonchalant shrug.

  “If you think you can do better, why don’t you take me out and show me how it should be done?”

  She pursed her lips, playing her usual fight-the-smile game. She lost…again, then bit her lips together before finally nodding. “Okay, fine. I’ll show you what a date is supposed to look like. We’ll leave after work on Friday.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” I gave her a double-finger salute.

  She snickered and turned to unlock her car. I stood by until she was safely inside and waited until she was driving away before leaping into the air and pumping my fist.

  “Yes!” I stumbled over to my car with a heady laugh.

  Kelly DeMarco just asked me out on a date! Holy freaking crap! In that moment, reality couldn’t have been sweeter.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Kelly

  “Torrence Exec, you’re speaking with Kelly. How can I help you?” My voice had been chipper throughout the week. I couldn’t figure out why.

  “Well, you’re obviously feeling better.” Mom’s terse voice soaked the inner dance party that had been happening in my belly since Monday night.

  I was blaming Disneyland—the fireworks, the rides…nothing else. Most certainly not the fact Marcus was there.

  Clearing my throat, I shifted in my seat and forced a breezy smile that would hopefully soak into my voice. “Yes, I am. Thank you. Sorry about missing dinner last night.”

  My “I’m sick” call had been totally fake. I just hadn’t wanted to go over there and somehow spill that I’d spent a really fun evening at Disneyland with a guy who I had no intention of making my boyfriend. My mother would give me a brusque look that told me I was wasting my time having fun when I should be out husband-hunting. Her views were so archaic it made me want to scream, but I didn’t want to upset her.

  Never awaken the beast.

  The thought made me smirk, and I had to press my lips together to stop myself from giggling. She was rabbiting on about Abelie making me a special meal that I missed out on. My inbox dinged. I had a new email from Marcus. It was labeled important, which meant it was the morning song. I pulled my earphones out of the drawer in preparation.

  “However.” Mom ended her rant before killing my happy buzz with a non-negotiable invitation. “You can make it up to us tomorrow night. We’re having a dinner party, and I expect you to be there. Bring that man along, the one you’ve been dating. I looked him up on the Torrence website. He’s quite the looker. I’m surprised he’s working in such a low-class job considering he’s the son of a banker, but anyway.”

  At first I was confused. She thought Marcus was a looker?

  Then it dawned on me. She was talking about Bryce.

  I cringed. “Uh, actually. I don’t—That’s not…”

  “Kelly, stop stumbling over your words. It makes you sound inept.”

  I swallowed and licked my lips. “Bryce and I are no longer dating. He didn’t want to take things further.”

  “What’s wrong with him?” Mom snapped.

  I shrugged. Where do I start?

  “Is there someone else you can bring?”

  Marcus popped into my mind, but I shook my head. There was no way I could bring his happy, scruffy face to a DeMarco party. They’d derail him before he reached the dinner table. No, Marcus could not be exposed to that side of my life.

  The minions inside me all sank with a united sigh of dismay. So, what the hell was I doing encouraging Marcus with another date?

  “Well, that is a shame. Fletcher’s parents are going to be there, and you know what they’ll be thinking. Poor little DeMarco girl, still single. It’s embarrassing, Kelly. You far outclass Evangeline, and she’s the one marrying the most eligible man in California. You can’t even find yourself a simple boyfriend.”

  I rolled my eyes.

  She sighed. “Just make sure you wear something jaw-dropping. I want them to know what their fool of a son is missing out on. Actually, let me send you something. I’ll arrange to have Franco bring you a dress. Have him do your hair and makeup while he’s there.”

  “Sounds great.” My voice and words didn’t match, but she didn’t seem to notice and hung up with a cheery goodbye, no doubt swanning off to the Echelon offices to meet with one of the designers and procure me the perfect dress.

  I shouldn’t really complain. The outfit would be stunning. My mother knew how to dress me, and Franco would make me look the best version of myself. I usually got a kick out of dressing up, but as I hung the phone back in the cradle, I felt weighed down by the impending dinner party. It would be an evening of false smiles and small talk where people spent more time judging each other than actually enjoying their company.

  I couldn’t imagine any of them playing “Would you rather…”

  A grin wanted to pull my mouth wide, but I caught it. I shouldn’t be smiling. I should be walking into Marcus’s office and canceling our date. It was a waste of time hanging out with him when I knew we couldn’t go out again.

  The email in my inbox caught my eye and I grabbed my earphones. Slipping them in, I double-clicked the message. A strong dance beat had my head bobbing in two seconds flat and then the words came in. The smile I’d been trying to control broke free, and I nearly laughed aloud as I listened to “Epic” by We Are Leo. Marcus had sent the message to his usual email group, but he’d been thinking of me when he chose it.

  My little minions leaped up and started dancing again. I slapped my hand over my stomach then quickly yanked the plugs from my ears. No, I couldn’t get excited. I had to control myself. This date with Marcus was nothing more than a little friendly banter. I was going to show him what a real date should look like so the next time he asked a girl out, he could woo her properly. It wasn’t for me. It was for him. And that would be the end of it.

  I couldn’t get involved with a guy who, one, wasn’t my type, and two, my mother would never approve of. How could I ever let him into my world? It was crazy.

  Rolling the earphone plug around my hand, I threw them into my drawer and slapped it shut. Marcus sauntered past with a wink and an easy smile. I turned away from it, pressing my lips together and focusing on the task I had to complete for Bryce. Marcia was home, looking after her sick daughter, and I agreed to cover her phone and any urgent work for the day. It made things busy, which was great because it was going so fast. It also made me nervous, because it was going so fast!

  My date with Marcus loomed ever closer, and I needed to figure out how to play it.

  A shuffling behind my back made me jump, and I spun to see Marcus place a steaming cup of coffee next to my phone.

  “Th-thanks,” I stammered, surprised by his sweet gesture.

  “No problem.” He grinned. “You sure you’re okay covering the front desk on your own?”

  “Yeah, it’s going to be fine.”

  “Good. Let me know if you need anything.” He turned to leave and I was grateful. I’d really appreciated the fact that, in spite of his grand musical number leading up to our Disney date, he’d been very subdued since, keeping things professional in front of all our colleagues. Maybe he knew I would have cancelled the date in a flash if he’d tried to behave any other way.

  “One more thing.” He came back and placed his coffee mug down. Leaning over the counter, he whispered, “What should I wear tonight? I’m okay like this, right?”

  I rose up in my seat and looked at him. He stepped back, spreading his arms wide and doing a circle. Damn, he was cute…his ass wasn’t bad, either.

  I flinched at the thought and had to force my face into a bland expression. This was insane. I had to put this guy off before he totally won me over.

  “Of course not.” I wrinkled my nose. “I’m expecting a little class. We’re going to a top restaurant, not some hot dog stand.”

  “Got it.” He nodded, taking his coffee back to his office and looking thoughtful.

  I grimaced. The whole se
cond-date thing was a mistake.

  He was so sweet, and I didn’t want to hurt him the way I had in high school. He’d been so shameless and humiliating back then, but now he was just a nice guy trying to show me how much he liked me. What he didn’t understand was that we couldn’t work. The idea of being with him presented so many uphill battles I didn’t even want to go there.

  I had to make him see that we couldn’t be more than colleagues…and tonight was my chance to do that.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Marcus

  Kelly was the kind of girl you went out of your way to impress, so that’s exactly what I did. I shot home during my lunch break and pulled out my black suit, the one reserved for only the most important engagements.

  This was one of them.

  At five, I snuck out of my office and went to use the shower in the exec bathrooms. I took the time to do my hair, taming it into a style I’d spotted in a men’s magazine a few weeks back. The suit had been custom-made, a college graduation present from my parents, and I looked pretty damn good. Sure, it was uncomfortable and I’d have much rather been in a pair of faded jeans and a baggy tee, but Kelly was worth the effort.

  My shiny black shoes, which pinched my toes, squeaked on the glossy bathroom floor as I left. By the time I strode down the corridor, the office was pretty much empty. Kelly was no longer at reception, so I dumped my stuff in my office then headed back to wait for her.

  She appeared less than a minute later, looking so damn sexy my mouth actually fell open.

  “Holy shit,” I breathed.

  Her hips swayed as she approached me. They were kind of mesmerizing and hard to take my eyes off. She was dressed in a simple, black number that hugged her perfect curves and ended just above the knee. The neckline was low and scooped with sparkly thingies lining the edge. Her diamond drop earrings matched a small clip in her hair, which was knotted loosely at the side of her head. Long tendrils kind of framed her face. She looked like a freaking movie star.