During the day, while he lost himself in the passionate pursuit of the perfect design for the museum, he could push away his thoughts of Eliza. At night, however, when he set down his pencils and left the office, she haunted him like a specter. He ordered in for dinner, watched television, read the sports and business news online. No matter what he did, if he wasn’t working, he found himself thinking of her.
He wondered why she hadn’t called him yet with a decision on whether she’d go out with him again. Part of him held out hope; after all, how long did it take to say no? He surmised she would have called sooner if she meant to turn him down.
Tuesday night, as he perused one of his favorite business blogs, he felt his cell phone vibrating on his hip. Checking the display, he answered the phone right away. “Hello?”
“Hi, Chris. It’s Eliza.”
He knew that, because he’d saved her number in his phone when he called her the first time. So, she finally decided to call. He wanted to ask her if she’d made a decision, but he held back. Remembering his promise not to pressure her, he kept his tone casual. “It’s good to hear from you. What’s up?”
“I wanted to talk to you about Jojo, and the things you bought from the boutique.”
His eyebrow hitched. This was not what he’d expected to hear when she called him. “What’s there to talk about? You were a great help, she loved the things we bought and I dropped a nice chunk of change in the store. We’re all happy, right?”
“Well, I thought we were.” Eliza paused for a moment. “But apparently that wasn’t the case.”
Confused, he set his laptop aside and asked, “What do you mean?”
“Everything’s been returned.”
His brow crinkled. “Now, wait a minute. I saw Jojo’s face, and there’s no way she would have...”
“She didn’t, Chris. Sheila brought everything back.”
Chris drew in a breath and cringed. “Oh, no.”
“Oh, yes.” Eliza cleared her throat. “Sheila seemed quite displeased with all the items. She basically told me that she’d pick out her own daughter’s dresses, and that she didn’t require my ‘interference.’”
“Oh, no.” Chris knew he’d repeated himself, but he couldn’t think of anything else to say. Hearing that his ex-wife had gone into Ellicott’s and acted that way mortified him. “I’m so sorry this happened, Eliza.”
“It isn’t your fault. Obviously, she wasn’t satisfied with what Jojo brought home.”
More like, she wasn’t satisfied with who the items were purchased from. He imagined Jojo had gone home, chattering on about Eliza and how cool she was, and that just hearing Eliza’s name had set Sheila off. “It’s not your fault, either. Your products are great quality, and my daughter loved them. This is just Sheila’s way. She can’t resist an opportunity to stir up drama.”
Eliza sighed. “Jojo did seem really happy with what she picked out. I wonder if she even knows her mother returned everything.”
“Probably not. Again, I’m really sorry about all this.”
“It’s okay.”
He took a deep breath. “I’m really glad you called, Eliza. It’s nice to hear your voice again. To be honest, I was starting to think I wasn’t going to hear from you.”
She released a cute little chuckle. “The funny thing is, I probably wouldn’t have called today if your ex hadn’t shown up in the store.”
“Hmm. In that case, Sheila did me a favor.”
“Chris, I really don’t want to cause problems between you and Sheila. Since she’s the twins’ mother, you two have to be able to be cordial, at least.”
“Don’t worry about it. Conflict is about all Sheila and I will ever have.” He shifted on the sofa, turning to the side so he could prop his feet up. “Trust me, if it weren’t you, she’d find some other reason to be upset with me.”
“Maybe so, Chris, but I wouldn’t feel right about making things more difficult between you two. I can understand why Sheila doesn’t want another woman spending time with her daughter, and...”
“Eliza, I hate to interrupt you, but you seem overly concerned about my ex and her preferences.” He paused. “What about you? What do you want?”
* * *
Eliza blinked a few times, caught off guard by Chris’s question. “What?”
“I asked you what you want. Stop thinking about Sheila, because she’s a nonfactor. Consider how you want to proceed.” His emphasis on the word you personalized his query even more.
“I don’t mind that she returned the clothes, Chris. Ellicott’s is doing brisk business.” She shifted her position in bed, propping herself up against the wealth of throw pillows as she lay atop her jacquard comforter.
“That’s fine, Eliza. But we both know I’m not talking about that.”
She swallowed. He was speaking about the attraction simmering between them like a pot left too long on a hot stove. “I know what you’re talking about, Chris. I’m just...not sure how to answer your question.”
“Be honest, Eliza. Just be true to what you feel.”
She sighed. At one point in her life, she’d longed for a second chance with Chris. Back then, she’d been idealistic enough to think that if they just gave it another shot, things could work out between them, and they could find happiness together. She’d held on to that dream for a long time.
But that had been so many years ago. Life had shown her that things often didn’t go as planned, especially when it came to relationships.
“Don’t you think that what we had was special enough to deserve a second chance?” He asked the question as if there were an easy answer.
“I guess it’s possible. But we’re both so different now.” The Chris she’d known had been the bright young man who loved skateboarding and chess and had dreams of becoming a world-famous architect. The Chris she’d run into at Prescott George a few days ago seemed very far removed from the version she’d known. He’d always been a little on the serious side, but she couldn’t recall him ever being as intense and focused as he seemed now. Am I really interested in Chris, or just in the Chris I remember from all those years ago? When she asked herself that question, she wasn’t sure of the answer.
“I really enjoyed your company. You can’t blame a guy for trying.”
She supposed she couldn’t. But her fear of getting involved with Chris now, and exposing herself to the same heartbreak he’d dealt her back in the day, plagued her. He really did seem oblivious to the pain he’d caused her when he walked away from her. She thought of telling him about it, but saw no reason to expose her wounds to him.
In response to her silence, he said, “I promised I wouldn’t pressure you, and I’m a man of my word. Do you think we can at least be friends?”
“Maybe.” It was the best she could do. She didn’t know if she could be “just friends” with him. It seemed impractical, considering how strong her memories were of their prior relationship. She could still recall his kiss and his touch as if they’d happened yesterday. That was another little tidbit she thought best to keep to herself.
“I really miss the talks we used to have. Do you remember? We used to talk for hours, about everything and nothing.”
“Of course I remember.” How could she forget? She’d poured out her heart to him, allowing him access to her secrets, her hopes and her dreams. “I told you things I’m sure I’ve never told anyone else.”
“See? That’s proof that we’ve got a solid basis for a friendship.” His hopeful tone made Eliza’s heart thud in her chest.
She rolled over onto her stomach on the bed. “All right. I guess we can give the friendship thing a try.”
“Great.” He sounded pleased. “I know this great little spot in Old Town where we can grab dinner. Are you game?”
She stared at her carpet, wondering what he was playing at. “This woul
dn’t be a date, right?”
“Nope, no date. Just a friendly outing between friends. You know, tortillas, margaritas and good conversation.”
She turned the idea over in her mind. “I do love a good margarita.”
“All you gotta do is say yes.”
She chuckled at the chiding in his words. “Ok. Where are we going?”
“You know that little cantina on Juan Street? Next to the beauty salon?”
She rolled her eyes upward in thought. Thinking she remembered the place, she asked, “The one with the courtyard strung with all those Christmas lights? It has those tables with the red-and-orange umbrellas, right?”
“That’s the place. Can you meet me there Thursday night, around seven thirty?”
“Sure.”
“Great.” He was smiling, she could hear it in his voice. “I’ll see you then. Good night, Eliza.”
“Good night.”
After she disconnected the call, she turned over onto her back and stared up at the ceiling of her bedroom. In a matter of days, she’d gone from avoiding Chris at all costs to going out with him. And now she was about to go out with him for the second time in a week.
She had no idea why or how all this was happening or how it would turn out. All she knew was that Christopher Marland possessed a unique power over her. He’d been her first love, and she’d always heard people talk about how powerful first love could be. Now she knew firsthand.
She blew out a breath. I’ve got two more days to get myself together and build up my defenses before I see him again.
She could only hope that would be enough time. Because if she fell under his spell again, and he broke her heart, she didn’t know if she’d ever recover.
Chapter 5
Thursday night, Chris arrived at the cantina around seven. The restaurant, an Old Town favorite for authentic Mexican cuisine, bustled with activity during dinner hours most nights. He’d left his drafting table as early as he could, changed into a pair of black slacks and a short-sleeved gray button-down, and headed out. He’d hoped arriving a little early would raise his chances of snagging a great table in the courtyard.
Luck was on his side, because he managed to get a table near the outer edge of the courtyard, where it bordered the neighboring plaza. The plaza, complete with a wide brick pathway and a raised stage, hosted live entertainment each night. From the table he’d chosen, not only would they have a great view of the stage, but they could also enjoy the blooming flowers and trickling fountain nearby.
When the waiter came by, he asked only for ice water. He didn’t want to order without Eliza, and she wasn’t due to arrive for another few minutes. With the frosty glass in hand, he took in the sights and sounds around him. The courtyard garden boasted many large, colorful flowers, as well as neatly trimmed shrubbery and carefully placed sculptures. Looking around the space, he saw couples, families and groups of friends clustered around the other tables. Lively conversation, laughter and the clinking of glasses came from every direction.
The breeze wafting through the courtyard changed direction then, bringing with it a sweet and familiar scent. He turned toward the back door of the restaurant in time to see Eliza walk inside and stop to glance around.
She wore a crisp, sleeveless yellow blouse and a pair of denim shorts. The outfit, while appropriately casual, still highlighted the soft curves of her bustline and hips. Her bare legs seemed to go on forever, stopping only where they were capped by her metallic gold sandals.
His gaze swept back up to her face. She wore very subtle makeup, and he was most intrigued by the shimmery golden gloss on her lips. Gold hoops rested in her ears, and her dark hair was brushed back to reveal her delicate features.
She spotted him then and waved. He waved back, marveling at the sexiness of her walk as she moved in his direction. He drew a deep breath, reminding himself that this wasn’t supposed to be a date. It was supposed to be an evening of friendly conversation over margaritas. The closer she got to the table, the more he worried that he wouldn’t be able to stick to the original plan.
“Hi, Chris.” She smiled as she approached the table. “Have you been here long?”
“No.” He stood and pulled out her chair. “I’m just glad I got here in time to get us a good table.”
She sat down, hanging the strap of her handbag over the back of the chair. “This is a pretty great seat. I saw on the board in front that a mariachi fusion band is playing tonight.”
“Yes, and I hear the band is really good.” He took a long draw from his water glass. It quenched his thirst for liquid, but not his thirst for the woman sitting across from him. “The waiter left us a couple of menus. I haven’t ordered, but I know what I want.”
She looked at him then, squinting a little as she picked up a brightly colored laminated menu.
Her expression made him think she’d noticed the double meaning in his statement.
Silently, she turned her attention to the menu.
The waiter reappeared, and after he’d taken their order and gone back inside the cantina, Chris cleared his throat. “So, how were things at the boutique today?”
“Pretty quiet, actually. We spent a lot of time doing inventory and marking down the few spring items we still have in the store. Once they’re on the clearance rack, they usually move fast.”
“You know Jojo is still going to want to hear about it whenever you get new merchandise in.”
She nodded. “I still plan to keep her in the loop.”
“Great, I appreciate that.”
“No problem.” She draped one long leg over the other. “What about you? How was your day?”
“I spent the entire day at my drafting table, adjusting the plans for my latest project.” He’d barely left his office all day, having spent six hours working on his sketch. “It’s a new museum that will be built mostly with green and recycled materials.”
Her expression changed, indicating she was impressed. “That sounds really interesting. Tell me more about what that means.”
He spent a few moments telling her about the museum, the same way he’d told her brother the previous week. “I’m really glad I got the project, because I love a challenge.”
Her eyebrow hitched. “Oh, really.”
He nodded. “Yes. And I never back down from one.”
The food and drinks came then, and conversation ceased for a few moments, replaced by the sound of sizzling coming from the cast-iron skillet holding Eliza’s fajitas. As she reached for the container of tortillas, Chris dug into his own tacos.
A few bites of fajita later, she raised her margarita glass and took a sip. She smiled as she set the glass down. “That’s good.”
He chuckled. “You know, when we used to go out back in the day, you weren’t even old enough to drink.”
After another sip, she said, “I know. I was kind of young back then, but at the time I didn’t feel that way. I thought of myself as an adult, you know?”
“I get it. And trust me, I thought of you as an adult, too.” He winked.
The slightest shade of red filled her cheeks, just enough for him to see it. “All right, Chris. Don’t start with me.” Even though she chastised him, her tone remained light and playful.
“What?” He feigned innocence.
“Oh, please. I know what you’re getting at.” She forked up a bit of rice and raised it to her lips. “Besides, we never did anything other than make out.”
“I know.” He’d desired her then, and still did now. But their relationship had been chaste, and he knew that was for the best. The five-year age difference between them made him a bit more experienced in physical intimacy. While he’d wanted her, he wasn’t the kind of guy to take advantage of her. “Colonel Ellicott would have probably filleted me if I’d tried anything, anyway.”
She giggled. “My d
ad was something of a hard-ass, wasn’t he? He was just being protective of me, though.”
Chris finished his food and pushed the empty plate aside. He turned his attention to the stage and watched the activity as the night’s entertainment began setting up for their performance.
Wiping her mouth with a napkin, she set down her fork. “I’m stuffed. This was really great. Just what I needed after a busy few days at the boutique.”
He smiled her way. “See? A friendly dinner with me was a good idea.” He saw the way she sat back in her chair, the smile on her face and the twinkle in her eye. It made him feel good to see that she’d relaxed in his presence, because he always felt comfortable with her.
The members of the mariachi band took their places on the stage, and began playing the classic Mexican folk tune “La Bamba.” Chris bobbed his head to the familiar beat, and when he looked Eliza’s way, he saw her tapping her foot in time.
He saw an excellent opportunity before him, and he knew he had to take it. So he took a deep breath and prepared to go out on the proverbial limb.
“Would you like to dance, Eliza?”
* * *
Eliza swallowed. Did he really just ask that question, or had it all been in her head? “Sorry, Chris, what did you just say?”
He chuckled. “I asked if you’d like to dance. The band is pretty good, and I see you tapping your foot, so...” His words trailed off.
She looked down at her tapping foot, then back up at him. Parts of her knew that if she danced with him, she’d likely be conjuring up the feelings she’d worked so hard to dismiss all these years. But Chris was right. The band was good, and she was caught up in the celebratory spirit of the music. Letting a smile tilt her lips, she nodded. “Sure. Let’s dance.”
He smiled as well, as if delighted that she’d accepted his invitation. He stood and reached out to her. She placed her hand in his and let him lead her into the courtyard fronting the stage.
A San Diego Romance Page 4