A San Diego Romance

by Kianna Alexander

  A few other couples were already there dancing, so they eased into an empty spot. The song, with its upbeat tempo and catchy lyrics, made Eliza feel relaxed and comfortable as she shimmied around the courtyard. She found herself singing along and heard Chris singing as well. Caught up in the nostalgia of the tune and the freedom of the moment, she couldn’t stop smiling. As she danced around, her sandaled feet gliding over the aged bricks beneath them, her mood was lighter than it had been in weeks. When she looked at Chris, dancing across from her, he looked similarly chill.

  This was the first time Eliza had been at the cantina in the evening, and the lights strung overhead lit up in contrast to the darkened sky seemed almost magical. The blooming flowers and greenery surrounding the courtyard made it seem like an oasis, smack-dab in the middle of one of San Diego’s busiest districts. With the band playing and the two singers harmonizing the lyrics of the familiar song, the place seemed to be a world all its own. Eliza honestly couldn’t think of anyone she would rather enjoy this place with than her first love.

  She shook off that old nostalgia for the moment and tried to focus instead on the moment at hand.

  The band switched to a midtempo song, and Eliza found herself moving a little closer to Chris. If his grin were any indication, he didn’t seem to mind their proximity. She moved her arms in time with the music, letting her hips sway, and the stress of the workweek seemed to melt away.

  Snapping his fingers as he moved his feet in time, he said, “See? I knew you’d enjoy this place.”

  She nodded. “You were right.” She loved her work at the boutique, because it allowed her to indulge her passion for fashion. Still, there were times when the business side of things overwhelmed her and encroached on the creative joy she usually experienced. Ellicott’s was a small boutique, and as owner, she filled all the major leadership roles there. Invoices, purchase orders, dealing with her employees’ scheduling conflicts; all those decidedly dull tasks fell under her authority. It was nice to get away from that now and then, to do something simply for personal enjoyment.

  The music changed again then, but this time, the band segued smoothly into a beautiful, lilting ballad. All around the courtyard, couples embraced and began slow-dancing. The phenomenon continued until Eliza and Chris were the only two people left on the “dance floor” who had any noticeable distance between their bodies.

  He held out his hand again, just as he had when he’d first invited her to dance. “May I?”

  She raised her gaze to look into his sparkling dark eyes, and her heart turned a backflip inside her chest. She nodded, saying nothing. Grabbing his hand, she took two large steps that brought her into his personal space. A moment later, she felt his strong hands come to rest on her waist. As if by second nature, her arms went up around his neck, her forearms resting on the muscled expanse of his broad shoulders.

  The song, relying heavily on an acoustic guitar and the impassioned vocals of a lone female singer, was as lovely as the night. Eliza didn’t know much Spanish, but between the words she did understand and the longing in the vocalist’s delivery, she knew just what type of song this was. A torch song. How fitting, as she stood in the arms of the only man she’d ever really loved. She let her gaze drop away from his handsome face.

  They swayed back and forth together as the night breezes caressed her bare skin in the way she wished he would. Once upon a time, he had touched her that way; always chaste, yet always as sweet and sensual as a touch could ever be. She kept her eyes straight ahead, which meant looking at his collarbone. That was far better than looking into his eyes again, because she knew that if she did, she would come undone.

  As the vocalist hit a particularly high note, Chris placed his bent index finger beneath her chin. Wordlessly, he tilted her face upward, effectively forcing her to look at him. He said nothing, letting the intensity of his gaze speak for him.

  Eliza gasped but couldn’t look away. She remembered a time when he’d had full possession of her heart, and when she looked into his coal-dark eyes, it was as if that time had never ended.

  In that moment, it became clear why all her relationships had failed. Her feelings for Chris lingered on, despite their long separation. She wondered if she could ever really be free of the power he held over her, the power of first love.

  Everything she’d tried to tamp down, all the feelings she’d hoped to tuck away, came to the surface like fast-rising floodwaters.

  Fighting the attraction seemed silly at this point, with it hanging in the air between them like a thick fog. She wanted this, so help her. Following through on her desires, she puckered her lips and closed her eyes.

  Chris bent and kissed her then. His arms slipped around her waist, pulling her closer. His lips were soft against her own, and the contact was brief and sweet, yet filled with unspoken emotion. For the time their lips were touching, there seemed to be no one else on Earth but the two of them. He used only his lips, keeping the kiss innocent. Yet the fire rising in Eliza’s belly indicated her desire for something far more carnal.

  He gave her a few light brushes of his lips along her jawline, then eased away.

  Breathless, she opened her eyes and looked around.

  It was then she realized that the song had ended. The band was on break, if their absence from the stage was any indication. Glancing nervously around, she saw that everyone else had already cleared the dance floor. Beyond that, more than a few people were eyeing them curiously from their seats.

  Her cheeks heated, she grasped Chris’s hand and they dashed back to their table.

  Chapter 6

  Chris crossed the grassy expanse at Embarcadero Marina Park South the next evening with Eliza’s hand in his own. Walking next to him, she wore a serene smile that enhanced her beauty. Seeing her so relaxed put him at ease as well, and he felt good knowing he’d played a role in her current mood.

  As they approached the area bordering the bay where the stage and seating had been set up for tonight’s outdoor concert, he drew in a deep breath of fresh air. The evening breeze coming off the water perfectly complemented the mild temperatures. The two of them were dressed similarly, in jeans and long-sleeved tops, and Chris felt comfortable and appropriately dressed for the weather.

  The concert wasn’t due to start for another half hour, and though people had already started arriving, a good number of empty seats remained. Seeing two good spots not far from the stage, he led her toward them.

  “It’s really nice out tonight,” Eliza commented as they slid into the two chairs in the third row.

  He looked out at the water, noting the way the sunlight played across the rippling surface. “I agree. Great night for the show.”

  “I’m glad you asked me to come.”

  He smiled. “I’m glad you said yes.” After the two of them had left the cantina the night before, he’d asked her to come with him to tonight’s concert. He’d been surprised but happy when she said yes. For the first time, she’d agreed to go without any hesitation, and he considered that a definite step in the right direction.

  “I’ve heard a lot about Dangerous Curves.” She tucked her purse beneath her seat, then looked his way. “Have you heard them perform before?”

  He shook his head. “No, but I’m looking forward to it as well.” His tastes in music were eclectic, and he loved hearing it performed live. “Between my work and the twins, my schedule can get pretty crazy. But I try to make time to hear live music as often as I can.”

  “I saw a few bands at the state fair last summer, but I haven’t really been to any shows since.” She brushed a windblown lock of hair out of her face.

  While she chattered away about the performers she’d seen at the fair, he listened. Soon, though, he found his focus had shifted. While he knew he should be paying attention to her words, he found himself staring at her lips instead. Whatever gloss she wore gave them an a
ppealing rosy tint. Watching her lips move as she spoke did something to him; mainly, it reminded him of the sweet kiss they’d shared last night, as well as her reaction. She’d been so pliant in his arms, one could say she’d melted against him. He assumed the kiss they’d shared was the reason she’d been so open to spending more time with him. Now that they’d acted on their lingering attraction to each other, he hoped they could put any awkwardness behind them.

  They talked for a few minutes more, but fell silent as the band began its set. Dangerous Curves, a local fusion band that played a mixture of soul, blues and funk, wasted no time getting straight to the music. The all-female group included a vocalist/lead guitarist, a bassist, a drummer and a keyboardist. Kicking off the concert with an updated cover of the classic Gap Band track “Early in the Morning,” the ladies had no trouble getting the crowd moving.

  Chris watched Eliza as she got on her feet, swaying in time with the music. He loved seeing her this relaxed in his presence; it was something he hadn’t seen in years. Soon he got up as well and joined in her dancing.

  Things remained that way throughout the show, as they danced, laughed and enjoyed each other’s company. The entire set was upbeat, with all the songs ranging from midtempo to fast, so there were no awkward pauses leading up to a slow dance. By the time the show ended, well after sunset, Chris felt a little sweaty from all the activity, but still fortunate to be in Eliza’s company.

  As they walked hand in hand to his car, she said, “Wow. Live music two nights in a row. This has been really great.”

  He smiled. “I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself.”

  “It’s really been too long since I’ve done this sort of thing.” She sighed, looking off toward the water. “Burton would never have taken me to shows like this. He only listened to classical music. I mean, I like classical, too, but there’s only so many times I’m gonna go to the symphony.”

  He felt his brow crease. “Who’s Burton?”

  She looked back his way. “Oh, sorry. Burton Brown is my ex-boyfriend. We dated when I was in New York. He’s a lawyer, super serious and stuffy.”

  “A stuffy guy who would only take you to the symphony? Sounds like a fun guy at parties.”

  She chuckled. “Parties. Yet another place he wouldn’t be caught dead.”

  Chris shook his head. “How long were you involved with that guy?”

  She shrugged. “About eight months. Finally, I got tired of dealing with him, especially since I knew there was no future in it. Anyway, I came home and opened my store right after we broke up, so I guess he was something of a catalyst for me to get to where I am now.”

  He nodded. Not only is this guy dull, he’s also an idiot for not fighting to keep a woman like Eliza.

  “But enough about Burton the boring. What about you? Have you been in any relationships recently?” She asked the question as they approached his car.

  He shook his head, swinging open the passenger-side door for her. “Nah. With the kids, and work, and Prescott George stuff, my plate is pretty full.” He closed her inside, then went around and climbed into the driver’s seat.

  When he’d buckled up and looked her way, he found her watching him. “What is it?”

  “It sounds like you were saying you’re too busy for a relationship.” Her eyes locked with his. “That doesn’t really make sense to me.”

  “Being busy is only part of the equation.” He started the engine, put the car in gear and backed out of the parking space. Joining the line of cars waiting to get out of the parking lot, he continued, “I’m also very cautious about the people I allow into my life. My relationship with Sheila taught me to be careful when choosing who I interact with. So you also have to know that there was never a woman I crossed paths with who seemed right for me.”

  “So you’re saying there wasn’t anyone you felt was worth pursuing?”

  “No.” He shook his head, amused at the way she kept dissecting and analyzing his words. With the car idling in the line, he turned to look directly at her. “Until now.”

  Redness seeped into her cheeks, and she looked away. “Goodness, Chris.”

  He shrugged. “It’s the truth, Eliza.”

  The line began to move, and soon they were back on the road, headed to Ellicott’s, where he’d picked her up earlier. When he parked, he hopped out to open her door.

  She shook her head as he helped her out. “You’re really something, Chris. Not a lot of true gentlemen left these days.”

  “Just treating you the way you deserve to be treated.”

  They walked a few steps to her car. Once she was inside, he commented, “You know, I’m willing to pick you up at home.” He had no idea where she’d been living since she returned to San Diego, and he sensed she didn’t want him to know. He couldn’t imagine why, but didn’t want to press the issue.

  “I know. And you will...eventually. Good night, Chris.”

  “Good night, Eliza.”

  She winked as she started her car. As he stepped up on the sidewalk, she pulled away.

  * * *

  Rolling her merchandise cart out of the stockroom at Ellicott’s, Eliza took care to navigate around the counter. The store was quiet for a Saturday morning, and she’d decided to use the lull to her advantage by changing out her clearance displays.

  As she rolled around the counter and down the center aisle, she passed Coretta Sinclair, her store manager. A sweet, no-nonsense woman in her midforties, Coretta had a husband and two grown sons. Seated on a low stool to the right of the center aisle, Coretta busied herself by dressing the full-body mannequin lying across her lap. “What do you think, Eliza?”

  Bringing the cart to a halt, Eliza looked over the outfit on the mannequin. “It’s great. The colors are complementary, without being too match-y. I think it will definitely help us move some of the transition fall collection.”

  Coretta nodded. “Good. I’m thinking I’ll add some jewelry to it. Any suggestions?”

  Mentally cataloging the jewelry she had on hand, Eliza thought for a moment before responding. “I’d say the light blue rock crystal set from Rainfall Designs.”

  “Sounds perfect.” Setting the mannequin aside, Coretta ran off to grab the jewelry. When she returned, she added the necklace and bracelet before placing the mannequin on its round acrylic pedestal. “Our girl looks pretty good, don’t you think?”

  Eliza giggled. The staff frequently referred to the mannequins as “the girls.” “Yes. She’s ready.”

  They worked together on changing out some of the older displays, and Eliza pulled some of the spring clearance items that hadn’t yet sold down and placed them in the cart. Her policy was to donate items that remained in the store for more than four months, which helped the less fortunate in the community and helped to keep her selection as fresh as possible.

  The satellite station playing over the store’s speakers began broadcasting the Gap Band’s “You Dropped a Bomb on Me,” and Eliza found herself tapping her foot to the rhythm. “I wish the band had performed this yesterday.” She didn’t realize she’d spoken her thoughts until Coretta responded.

  Easing closer to her, Coretta gasped. “You saw the Gap Band in concert and didn’t invite me?”

  Eliza shook her head. “I wouldn’t do you like that. I went to a show last night of a local cover band, and hearing the Gap Band reminded me of the show.” She could feel the smile tilting her lips as she recalled her evening of fun...and her handsome escort. “Chris and I had a great time.”

  Brow raised, Coretta eyed her. “Chris? Not the same Chris whose ex-wife came in here last week causing a ruckus, right?”

  She pursed her lips. “Yes, the same Chris. How many men do you think I see in a week?”

  “Usually none, but that’s beside the point.” Coretta folded a graphic T-shirt and placed it on the stack with its mates. “I
’m guessing you and Chris have...history.”

  She nodded. “We do.” She left out that Chris was her first love, and that she’d never really had any strong feelings for anyone else. No need to divulge all my business. “He was a perfect gentleman, and I really enjoyed his company.”

  Coretta’s expression changed, but she pursed her lips shut.

  Eliza sensed the unspoken words piling up in Coretta’s mouth. “What do you want to say? Because I can tell it’s killing you to hold it back.”

  “I was just going to say you should be careful if you’re thinking of getting involved with Chris.”

  She already knew that, but didn’t say so. She wanted to hear Coretta’s reasoning, so she asked, “What makes you say that?”

  “He’s divorced. Not only that, he has children.” Adding another folded T-shirt to the stack, she continued. “You know Arthur is my second husband. My first husband Elbert is the father of my sons. After we split up, Elbert made it his mission to keep me single.”

  Eliza could feel the tension building in her shoulders. Reaching up to lightly massage the areas, she sighed. “We’re not involved, Coretta. He’s just a part of my past that’s resurfaced.”

  “You’re not involved, yet. But I saw the way you smiled when you talked about him. It’s only a matter of time before this thing turns into a full-on courtship.”

  Not knowing how to feel about that, Eliza ran a hand over her hair. She looked to the door, hoping a customer would walk in at that moment and rescue her from the uncomfortable realities of this conversation.

  No such respite came, and Coretta kept talking. “I’m not trying to tell you what to do. After all, I’m much too young to be your mama. But his ex has already shown you that she’s petty by showing up here to make a fuss about the things he bought their daughter. So just be cautious. That’s all I’m saying.”

  “I will.” When it came to Chris, she had no choice but to proceed with care. He had such a hold over her, she knew she’d have to work to protect herself from another heartbreak at his hands. “On the bright side, his daughter does like me. I think she referred to me as ‘cool.’”