Leo reached for his wallet. "I can lend you some money if—"
Lisa shook her head adamantly. "No, Leo! That's very kind of you, but I won't take your money." Aside from his design-firm income, Leo lived off a trust fund left to him by his deceased parents. He was generous to a fault, and Lisa drew the line at accepting his money.
"I still have a little cash left to tide me over until I can find a job. What I need is a place to live. I will not spend one more night under my mother's roof. That woman is a nightmare. Can you believe she accused me of trying to ruin her life?"
An impossibility, since Lisa was too busy ruining her own.
Leo refilled their glasses and set the bottle of wine back down on the coffee table, and being careful to use a coaster. "From nightmarish mother-in-law to nightmarish mother in one fell swoop, huh?"
"Something like that. I was hoping to find Francie home, so I could beg a room for a few days." Lisa sipped her wine thoughtfully, wondering if she had enough cash for a cheap hotel room. Her credit cards were maxed to the hilt, due to the exorbitant airfare she'd purchased at the last minute to fly home from Florida. Of course, at that point she'd have paid any amount of money to leave Alex and his family. In fact, she would have walked home.
"But she's just married, sweetie. I doubt Mark would be thrilled by that idea. And you couldn't really blame him. Third wheels suck when you're in love and doing the dirty on a regular basis."
Lisa nodded, knowing what Leo said was true. As in love as Francie was with Mark, and vice versa, she doubted the couple would welcome her into their love nest with open arms. "Well, I'll live on the street before going back to my parents' house. It's only January. It can't be that cold at night."
Leo looked horrified by her suggestion. "Don't be stupid! You can bunk here until Francie gets back. Her old room is still pretty much intact."
Breathing a huge sigh of relief, Lisa smiled gratefully. "Are you sure, Leo? I wouldn't want to put you out or anything."
It was a bald-faced lie. She might not take his money, but Lisa didn't mind putting Leo out, circumstances being what they were. She didn't relish using Leo, or anyone else for that matter, but Lisa was an opportunist, and if an opportunity presented itself, she'd be foolish not to act on it.
"It'll only be for a couple of days, right? So you won't be putting me out."
"Right," Lisa agreed, but her mind was already working overtime, trying to figure out how to turn temporary into permanent.
"I want you to stop packing that suitcase right now, young man, and think about what you're doing."
Alex's gaze lifted to his mother. Miriam Mackenzie was still an attractive woman, though the former Miss Mint Julep was definitely starting to show her age. She'd been looking tired and wrinkled lately, despite her many face-lifts and the strawberry-blond hair color from an expensive salon to hide the gray.
He used to tease his mother that she could give Michael Jackson a run for his money in the plastic-surgery department, which had never gone over well. His mother didn't have a sense of humor when it came to her fading looks.
Alex and his mother had always shared a close relationship, though at times she was smothering and bossy, like now. Still, as much as he loved her, he loved his wife more.
"I've thought a great deal about what I'm doing, Mother, and I'm leaving. I've got to try and win Lisa back. I love her, and I don't want to live my life without her."
Clearly distressed, Miriam walked farther into her son's room and took a seat on the edge of the antique tester bed, folding her hands primly in her lap, as any good Southern woman was wont to do. Her voice softened. "Lisa isn't right for you, Alex. She doesn't fit into our…your way of life. I thought that had become quite apparent these past few months. You can't turn a sow's ear into a silk purse, as the saying goes. Lord knows we tried."
Alex's voice reflected his anger. "What's apparent is that I'm a fool. I know Lisa isn't perfect or acceptable by your standards, Mother, but she's perfect for me. She's like a breath of fresh air. You and father never took the time to really get to know her. If you had, you would have loved her as much as I do."
"But she has no social graces, Alex. Surely you realize that. She balked at every opportunity—to purchase a more appropriate wardrobe, to have dance lessons so we could take her to the country club, to—"
"You tried to change her. I don't know why I was so blind in seeing what your motives were from the beginning. I never should have brought her here, I can see that now. We were happy in Philadelphia. We should have just stayed there."
Miriam stood, a steely look of determination on her face. "That wasn't the real world, Alexander—your world. You come from wealth and privilege. Nothing, including a change of geography, is going to change what you are or where you come from."
"Well, maybe I need to change. I'm not saying that I'm not grateful for everything you and Father have given me—the excellent Ivy League education and the opportunity to work in the family banking business. But it's time I became my own man, made my own mistakes."
"You've certainly done that, son, now haven't you?"
Pausing in his packing, Alex looked back over his shoulder to find his father standing there. Gray-haired, broad-shouldered and as intimidating as ever, Rupert Mackenzie was a formidable force in the world of banking and commerce—and in his own family. And though Alex loved his father, loved both his parents, he wasn't about to let them ruin his life.
He'd already done a good job of that himself.
"I'm twenty-nine years old. It's high time I made my own mistakes. And I don't consider having married Lisa to be one. You and Mother were very hard on her, criticizing every little thing she said or did. I tried to keep silent, to avoid confrontation, in the hope that you'd accept her in time. I never expected you to chase her away."
"A woman with backbone wouldn't have been scared off like a frightened rabbit, Alex. You know that as well as I do."
Zipping his black-leather carry-on bag shut, Alex stood up and faced both his parents. "Lisa's got more courage than most people I know. She's not afraid of the world, hasn't been cosseted and fawned over like a favored family pet, as I have. And she's managed to survive, to do all right for herself. I admire that about her. I love her. And I intend to have her for my wife, one way or another."
"Tread carefully, son. There's a lot at stake that you could be throwing away."
Eyes narrowed, Alex stared down his father. "If you're threatening me with my inheritance, don't bother. I know enough about the mortgage-banking business to start my own firm, and I doubt I'll have any trouble finding a job in Philadelphia. Now that my assignment there has ended for Mackenzie Enterprises, I'm free to pursue my own interests."
"Are you resigning from the firm?" Alex's father looked shocked, which was a shock in itself. Few things ever threw the old man. "I built that firm as a legacy for you."
"It appears that I am." And no one was more surprised about that than Alex.
Miriam stepped forward, placing her hand on Alex's arm, and looking beseechingly at her husband. "You're our only son, Alex, and we love you. We have only your best interests at heart. Surely you know that. Please don't make a rash decision that could ruin your future."
"What I know is that I'm in love with Lisa and have been from the first moment I laid eyes on her across a crowded dance floor. I'm determined to win her back, no matter what I have to do. And trust me, knowing what her family is like, that won't be easy."
His mother grew alarmed. "Why? Are the Morellis connected to the Mafia? Are you in danger?"
Alex would have laughed, if he thought his mother was joking. Sadly, she wasn't. "Not every Italian-American is a member of the mob, Mother. The Morellis are hardworking, upstanding people. I don't think they're related to the Sopranos."
"But you don't know them that well."
"I know their daughter, and that tells me all I want to know."
Alex picked up his bag and headed for the door.
>
"You'll regret this, son, if you walk out that door," his father warned.
"And I'll regret it the rest of my life if I don't."
2
Lisa had been waiting anxiously all weekend for her sister's return, so when she heard Francie's voice on Leo's voice mail Sunday night, letting him know that she and Mark were back, Lisa hightailed it down the hallway to Francie's apartment.
Mark answered the door, looking tired, well kissed and as disgustingly handsome as ever. Apparently the trip to Buck's County had gone well, or else he and Francie had just engaged in a round of fabulous sex.
She rather thought it was the latter.
"Lisa, this is a surprise! What are you doing here? I thought you were in Florida."
"Sorry to intrude, Mark, but I need to talk to Francie. It's about why I'm not in Florida—a long sad story, and one I'd rather not tell twice, if you don't mind." One she'd rather not tell at all, if she were truthful with herself, but Francie was going to ask probing questions and would expect direct answers.
Though Francie was only two years older than Lisa, she took her job as big sister seriously. But then, Francie took most things seriously. She was the reliable, conscientious, mostly well-behaved daughter, while Lisa was the screwup. Her present situation was testament to that.
"Sure, come on in. Francie's in the shower. She'll just be a few more minutes. Let's have a beer. I'll tell you about our trip to Buck's County. We spent the weekend looking at houses and we think we've found the one we want, if we can get our price. The sellers seem anxious, so we're keeping our fingers crossed."
"That's great!" Following her brother-in-law into the kitchen, Lisa seated herself at the table, accepting the frosty beer mug he handed her. "I can't wait to hear all about it. Did you take lots of pictures?" Mark's eyebrow shot up in disbelief, and Lisa shook her head. "Stupid question to ask a photographer, huh?"
"I took several rolls of film, but I haven't had a chance to develop them yet. Francie took some nice shots with the digital camera, but I won't steal her thunder. She'll want to show you those herself."
Wrapped in a blue terry-cloth bathrobe, Francie stepped into the kitchen at that moment, her smile melting into concern when she spotted her younger sister. "I thought I heard voices. What on earth are you doing here, Lisa? Is it Mom? Is she okay?"
"Why does everyone always think there's something wrong with Mom? That woman is going to outlive us all." Lisa sighed. "Mom's fine. I'm the one with the problem."
Francie looked meaningfully at her husband, who was wise enough to take the hint. "I've got work to do," he said, "so I'll say good-night." Mark kissed his wife's cheek, flashing her a smile full of promise. "Don't be too long, okay?"
After her brother-in-law departed, Lisa stuck her finger down her throat and made gagging sounds. "You two are going to make me throw up, if you're not careful. Are you always like this?" She shook her head, a bemused smile lighting her face.
"Like what?"
"Sickeningly sweet, lovey-dovey, moony-eyed and horny as rabbits? I feel like I'm developing diabetes just being in the same room with you two sweethearts."
Used to her sister's outrageous remarks, Francie merely grinned. "We're newlyweds. What do you expect? I'm sure you and Alex behave in exactly the same way. I'd bet money on it, in fact."
Not anymore, Lisa thought. "You'd lose. Alex and I have split. We're kaput, done, finito."
"What?" Francie dropped into the chair across from her sister, a stunned look on her face. "What happened? I thought you two were madly in love with each other."
"Love wasn't the problem, and neither was sex, which was fabulous, I might add. It was his parents. Alex changed once we got to Florida and began living with them." Lisa detailed her treatment at Miriam and Rupert Mackenzie's hands. "When he refused to stand up for me, I got fed up and left."
"But to leave without telling anyone, Lisa. They must be frantic with worry."
Lisa laughed, though there was no humor in it. "I haven't heard a peep from anyone, including Alex." And that hurt; it hurt a lot. After all, she had a cell phone. Of course, the battery was dead, and it had only been a couple of days, but still…
"I guess he must realize, as I do, that our marriage was a huge mistake. I'm sure he's relieved as hell that I left. It saved him the trouble of kicking me out."
Francie reached out to clasp her sister's hand. "I'm sure that's not true, Lisa. And you shouldn't think such things. Alex loves you. I'm positive of that."
"How do you know? You only met him that one time, right before we moved to Florida."
"Because I saw the way he looked at you. You can't pretend love. It was there in his eyes, for all the world to see."
"Oh, pleeze! You are going to make me throw up. I doubt there's any such thing as love. Okay, maybe you and Mark have the genuine thing. I'm not sure what Alex and I experienced, probably lust. After all, the sex was fabulous—but you can't expect sex to make up for all that was lacking in our relationship."
Francie arched a skeptical eyebrow. "Such as?"
"We have nothing in common. Alex comes from money, oodles of it. He's never experienced hard knocks, rejection or parental disapproval. He works for his father's company; they think he walks on water."
"So what's wrong with that? Lots of children work for their parents."
"The Mackenzies' blood isn't blue, France, it's positively green, as in greenbacks. They're into all sorts of social activities, like the country club and yachting. Hell, I can't even swim. I nearly drowned in the kiddy pool at the club. Miriam was not pleased."
"But you knew about the differences between you and Alex before you married him. You knew he was a mortgage banker and a great deal more conservative than you could ever hope to be. In fact, I worried at your decision to elope. Alex was definitely different from the other men you'd dated."
Lisa was thoughtful for a moment as she sipped her beer. "I guess I wanted to impress Mom and Dad, be the kind of daughter they wanted. You were getting married to Mark, and I wanted to share in some of the adoration and attention. Pathetic, huh?"
Francie sighed, concern for her sister etched on her face. "Oh, Lisa…"
"Or maybe I thought I had fallen in love and wasn't paying attention to the differences in our personalities and upbringing. I don't really know. I just know I screwed up. Big-time."
"What do you intend to do?"
"Well, originally I was going to ask you for a place to stay until I could get things worked out financially, but then Leo pointed out that might not be a very good idea, so I've been staying at his apartment all weekend, trying to come up with a plan."
Eyes widening, Francie said, "You and Leo? Now there's an odd couple if there ever was one."
Offended, Lisa stiffened. "What do you mean?"
"Leo is a compulsive neat freak. Your messy ways will drive him nuts."
"Oh that." She waved away her sister's objection with a flick of her wrist. "He's already made a few comments about water rings on the table and toothpaste caps being left off. Jeez! Leo's worse than Mom."
"How long are you going to live there?"
"Leo's offer is only good for the weekend, but I'm hoping he'll give me a permanent place to stay after he sees how well we get on. I'm trying to impress him."
"With what? You don't clean. You don't know a thing about wine. And I don't need to point out that you're the wrong sex."
Lisa made a face. "Like Leo, I like to party and have a good time. And we share a love of toffee peanuts, not to mention that I'm a big Cher fan."
"Yes, you and Leo are well suited in that way." Francie shook her head. "I'm not sure, however, that peanuts and parties will be enough to lure him to your way of thinking, Lisa. It takes him a while to warm up to people."
"Maybe you can help. Put in a good word for me."
"I'll see what I can do, but don't expect me to work miracles. Leo knows you better than you think."
Lisa brightened instantly. "Th
at should go in my favor then, right?"
Clearing her throat, Francie hesitated, then nodded. "Uh, yeah, right."
Alex dropped his black leather carry-on bag in the front hallway of Bill Connor's Philadelphia apartment, where he'd arranged to stay temporarily.
Bill was his former college roommate, and they'd always gotten along well, sharing similar views on politics, movies and music. The one thing they differed on was women—Alex admired them; Bill consumed them.
"I really appreciate your putting me up, Bill. It's been a long time since Harvard."
"What are old roommates for?" the lawyer said, nodding toward the kitchen. "Come on in, your room's all ready. I admit I was surprised when you called out of the blue last night. It's been what, three years since our last college reunion?"
"Four, actually. Time flies when you're having fun," Alex said, sarcasm edging his words.
Lisa had only been gone three days, and he missed her like crazy. He'd fought the urge to phone, to beg her to come back…fearing what her answer would be. He'd come to Philadelphia so he could reason with her, show her how much he loved and wanted her back.
Grabbing two Bud Lights from the refrigerator, Bill handed Alex one and they headed into the living room, which reeked of Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware. Alex took a seat on the big brown-leather recliner.
"And have you been having fun, buddy?"
"I did for a while. I got married a few months back." And it had been fun—fun, fantastic and fabulous.
What the hell had happened?
"No shit! That's great. Congratulations! Who's the lucky lady?"
"Her name's Lisa…Lisa Morelli. But…she's left me."
"No shit! That sucks. For another guy? I'm sorry as hell, Alex." Bill patted his friend's arm consolingly. "If you need a good lawyer, let me know. I've got lots of experience in these matters."
Alex shook his head and sidestepped the topic of divorce. "I'm not exactly sure of the reason for Lisa leaving like she did. She just packed up and split in the middle of the night, no note, no explanation. The bed was empty when I awoke the next morning." And after they'd made such glorious love, and she'd told him how much she adored him—it had added insult to injury.
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