Mitch stooped down to inspect the wheels.
“I’ve double-checked to make sure the brakes aren’t locked, and it still won’t work.”
Chella stepped aside to give Mitch room to work.
Mitch pulled out a small stick that was jammed between one of the wheels and the frame. “The culprit.”
“Thank you so much,” the woman said. “You two have a great night.” She waved them goodbye and walked into her nearby room.
“Thanks,” Chella and Mitch chorused.
“That was very kind of you,” Chella said.
As they started walking, Chella’s heel stuck in the grass. She fell onto the concrete pavement, face-down. Sharp pain shot from her wrist to her shoulder. She tried to get up, but the bit of weight she put on it sent her into excruciating pain.
“Ouch! Oh my goodness, something is wrong,” she yelped, holding onto her wrist, still flushed with mortification. Her wrist had already started turning into a collage of black, blue and burgundy.
“Oh God, are you okay?” Mitch asked, helping her to feet.
Are you flipping kidding me? I can’t believe this. How many more embarrassing moments do I have to go through in one night?
“The pain is agonizing…”
“Let me see,” Mitch said, gently holding her hand and examining her wrist. She was in terrible pain, but was also acutely aware of how his warm hands felt against her skin. She was close enough to him to take in a trace of his aftershave.
“It might be broken or badly sprained. It’s already swollen.”
“It hurts like hell. Please don’t move it.”
“Come on. We need to get you to a doctor for an x-ray,” Mitch said, picking her purse up from the ground. “Can you hold it up?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll see if the concierge has a first aid kit so I can make you a sling.”
“Thanks,” she replied.
Fifteen minutes later, Chella and Mitch arrived at the hospital emergency room.
“Thanks for bringing me here,” said Chella, “but you’ve done more than enough. You can go home. I’ll be okay.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You haven’t even seen the doctor yet, and you expect me to leave you here alone?”
“I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”
“And exactly how do you intend to fill out that clipboard of paper work? Need I remind you that you have an injured wrist? And unless my observations were completely off, you’re right-handed.”
“I’m sure I can get someone to help with that. Really, I’ll be fine.”
“I get it. I understand. There’s confidential information on the form. I’ll let you deal with those blanks, but I won’t leave until you’ve seen a doctor.”
“Are you always this stubborn?”
“Yes,” he replied, gazing into her eyes and smiling at her. “I’ll be right here if you need anything,”
He walked across the waiting room. There were five people in the lobby, but no one appeared to have ailments obvious to the eye. The nurse was about to escort Chella to an exam room when sirens blasted through the area. Moments later, ER staff rushed through with a couple on gurneys who had just been involved in a terrible car accident. The nurse apologized and told her she’d have to wait.
Walking over to Mitch in the waiting room, she looked at him, disappointed. “This is going to be quite the wait. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done, but, seriously, I’ll be good.”
“I’m not leaving you here alone. Is there someone you’d like me to call? A sister or brother?”
“No, thanks. I’m an only child.”
“Well, I’ll wait with you. Can I get you some water or something to drink?”
“No, thanks. I’m sure this is not how you envisioned spending your Friday night. I hope our friends were just fooling around with us, because it’s just been too much bad luck for one night.”
“Jason sent me a text. Everything’s okay. It looks like something on a shelf right below the air-conditioning vent fell down and triggered the alarm sensors, so all is well.”
“Thank God.”
“You’re in a hospital with an injury, and you’re thinking about other people. That says a lot about you.”
“Well, they’re our friends. I had every intention of calling when I walked into my suite, but we both know how that turned out.”
“I can call them if you like.”
“Please, don’t,” Chella replied, yawning. “Let Vicky enjoy her birthday.”
“You’re tired?”
“Exhausted. You wouldn’t believe.”
“Are you still in a lot of pain?”
“Yes, but once I keep still it feels better.” Is he always this attentive?
Moments later, the nurse escorted her to a room where she asked her more questions and x-rayed her wrist. Between the questions, the interruptions and the staff breaks, an hour had gone by and Chella still had not seen a doctor. When she asked the nurse how much longer it would be, she said probably another hour because a few more accident victims had come in with life-threatening injuries. Chella asked her to tell Mitch to go home. At this rate, she wouldn’t make it home for another few hours.
Eventually, she saw a doctor. The good news was that her wrist wasn’t broken; the bad news was that the bone was badly bruised, and it could take weeks for the pain to go away. Apart from icing it to keep the swelling down, taking painkillers and Micro-current therapy, there was nothing else that could be done. Four hours after initially entering the ER, she was able to leave. She stopped in the corridor, looking through a directory for a number to call a cab. Before she had a chance to dial, Mitch turned a corner of the hallway.
“I can’t believe you’re still here,” said Chella. “You are one persistent man.”
“That I am. How are you? No cast must be a good sign.”
“It’s not broken, but the bone is badly bruised. It might take weeks for the pain to go away.”
“Did they give medication?”
“Just some anti-inflammatories, and the doctor also suggested some micro-current therapy.”
“Good. Hopefully you’ll be back to normal in no time. Why don’t I take you home? I know you’re exhausted.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
Minutes later, they were at her hotel, walking to her suite. She couldn’t help but notice how drastically the temperature had fallen. It was a far cry from the abnormal eighty-degree weather they experienced that day.
“Tonight was a colossal disaster. I don’t know how to thank you,” Chella said, looking over to Mitch.
“It wasn’t a big deal.”
“You barely know me, and you waited with me for four hours in the ER. I’d say that’s a pretty big deal. There must be some way I can repay you.”
“Well, I was looking forward to tomorrow, but I’m pretty certain there’s no way you can play tennis with that wrist. You can make it up to me by having lunch with me. You have to eat sometime, right?”
“I’ll go only if you allow me to pay. It’s the least I can do.”
“If you insist. Here’s my card, my cell number is on the back,” he said, handing it to her.
“Thanks. Let me give you mine,” she replied, as she rummaged through her purse for a pen. “You can write my cell number on the back. It’s a private number, so please don’t give it to anybody.” As she looked through the clutch, Chella lost her grip. The clutch crashed to the ground. The purse’s contents scattered.
Stooping down to the ground, they both started picking up items: the pen she was looking for, keys, card key, cell phone, comb, switchblade, Taser, tampon, lipstick, toothbrush, mints. Her compact mirror was broken into two halves, both pieces displaying spider cracks.
Shit! This is embarrassing. As if this night couldn’t get any worse, now he’s helping me pick my tampons off the floor, and I can’t even move my damn hands fast enough to pick up the Taser before he notices.
They looked up at each other. Her heart raced, and as she found herself distracted by his cleft chin, his lips, the strands of his dark hair that fell across his lashes, she suddenly wondered what it would be like to kiss Mitch Mariani.
“Looks like you can fit a whole army and armory in there,” he said as he broke the moment, laughing.
“You know us ladies. Always prepared,” she replied, blushing as they both rose to their feet.
He jotted down her number on the card she handed him.
“Thank you for escorting me home. And for helping me with all my stuff. And for taking me to the hospital. And for waiting four hours…”
Mitch chuckled. “It was my pleasure. Are you going to be all right?”
“You’ve done more than enough.”
“See you at noon tomorrow?”
“Sure. Be safe. Thanks again for everything.” Chella slipped the card key into the slot, and the door opened.
“It was great spending the evening with you.” With those words, he kissed her on the cheek and quickly disappeared from view.
Chella closed the door, pulled her gold clutch to her chest and smiled. She did not know what it was about Mitch, but she found him more and more appealing as the night went on. That did not mean that she intended to do anything about it. Having a man in her life would complicate things. She was not about to invite that into her life again.
She had managed to get some peace in her life for the last year and a half. She wasn’t sure she wanted to put that in jeopardy. In the past, every time she had let down her guard and relaxed, even a little, things would go horribly wrong. She wasn’t willing to take that chance.
Still, she found him intriguing. She was curious about him and eager to know more. After the way he stuck it out with her that night, she knew he was special. Tomorrow they would have fun, as friends, and that would be the end of that.
Or that was the story she continued to tell herself.
When Chella got up the following day, she realized it took her twice as long to do everything. By the time she succeeded in getting dressed, fixing her hair and putting on a touch of makeup, two hours had gone by. Before she left, she soaked her hand on ice to keep the swelling down.
At precisely noon there was a knock on the door. Wrapping her hand in a nearby towel, she peered through the peephole. She saw Mitch, and her heart skipped a beat.
“Hi,” she said as she opened the door.
“Hey, how are you today? Do you feel better?”
“A little. It takes me a long time to do everything. I had it on ice to help the swelling.”
“Great. You have a really beautiful view.”
Indeed. You look even better in broad daylight. “It is. It’s one of the reasons I like it here so much. I could watch boats sail by for hours. I grew up on an island. There’s something about the palm trees, the foliage, the water. It reminds me of home.”
“I know I don’t know you very well yet, but it suits you.”
Chella smiled. “Are you ready to hit the road?”
“Sure.”
The drive to the restaurant in Mitch’s brand new Green Metallic Jaguar XKR-S Coupe took a while due to traffic, but a steady stream of conversation flowed between the two. They shared stories about their childhood and Mitch’s move from Santa Monica to San Diego.
After a sumptuous lunch, they left the restaurant headed for San Diego Bay. Someone from Chella’s past—her ex, Aaron—caught her eye. Memories flooded her. She remembered vividly everything he had done to her, including the threats on her life. Mitch was probably the first man she had been seriously attracted to since she and Aaron broke up ten years ago, and that scared her.
She slid into Mitch’s car, anxious to leave. Biting her nails, she constantly checked the rear view mirror and kept looking over her shoulder. Her hands trembled. When she became aware of it, she fiddled through her purse, hoping Mitch would not notice.
This was exactly what she was afraid of. She hoped and prayed Aaron didn’t follow them and tried to remain calm.
“Hey, are you okay? Is something bothering you?” Mitch asked. “You seem a bit jittery.”
“I’m fine, thanks.”
“You sure? You look a little preoccupied.”
“Yes, I’m sure. I thought I forgot the confirmation numbers for our tour home, but I have it,” she replied then smiled, hoping she had reassured him.
She had purchased tickets for a two-hour boat tour of the bay. As Mitch parked the car she looked around, checking for any sign of Aaron. When she didn’t see him, she slowly got out of the car but was eager to get on the boat. Once there, she sat where she had a clear view of the gangway, scrutinizing the passengers who boarded the yacht.
The vessel pulled away from the docks and started its journey. Chella calmed a little, trying to focus on the beautiful San Diego Bay views.
“The last time I took this tour was fifteen years ago. My parents and I had just moved from the islands to San Diego. I had forgotten how beautiful it was.”
“Thanks for sharing this with me,” said Mitch then added curiously, “So where is your family?”
“I am the product of two only children, and I am also an only child.” Chella hesitated. “Both my parents were killed in a car accident some years ago.”
“I’m so sorry. I don’t know what to say.”
“It’s okay. It’s been ten years. I was in the car but only suffered minor injuries. They were both killed on impact.”
“That’s rough.”
“It was. Since then I’ve been on my own. Life must go on. Thank God for my boss, Craig. He was my dad’s best friend. He’s always been a great support,” she replied, somehow hoping the topic would change.
“You must be extremely bright and ambitious, then. You should be commended.”
“Thanks. So what about you? Tell me about your family.”
“Well, I never talk about my father. My mom is very protective. She doesn’t like any of my girlfriends. She always says, ‘Mitch, my son, you’re too good for them. One day the right one will come along, and you will know because I will like her.’”
“My dad used to be like that,” Chella replied, smiling. “Mom, on the other hand, thought I should go out and experience life, although she did have her limits. Sometimes I really miss them. My instincts tell me they’d like you.” Shit…why did I reveal that information?
“Since you think I’d have their approval, I hope that means I have yours, as well.” He smiled provocatively as he gazed into her eyes.
She blushed at his words. Despite being strongly attracted to him, she was uncertain how she should respond.
“Not so fast. The jury is still out on you,” Chella retorted, knowing her reasons for being reluctant to trust too quickly. “I’m not totally convinced yet.”
“Let me persuade you tonight by having dinner with me.”
“That would be nice. There is nothing I hate more than cooking.”
“I’ll cook for you.”
“I guess we should enjoy this tour, then, and be on our way.”
She had a great love and appreciation for nature. Natural beauty always captivated her. She most enjoyed the wildlife. They spotted sea lions, harbor seals and pelicans along the way. Mitch appeared to be enjoying the views of the San Diego skyline from the water. He took pictures with his phone as the boat sailed through the bay. She also watched as he inhaled the crisp, clean air.
Chella’s mind drifted off to earlier that afternoon. This was exactly what she had feared. Perhaps seeing her ex was just a coincidence. Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard Mitch calling her name.
“So where was your mind, anyway?” he asked. “A while ago you didn’t even hear my call. You looked like you were in another dimension.”
“Nowhere. Just memories.” Chella replied solemnly. It wasn’t completely a lie. She had thought of her parents, but she also thought about the situation with her ex. She was just getting to know Mitch, and it
was too early to share sad details of her convoluted past—not that she ever would.
“I was remembering my dad commenting on the Coronado Bay Bridge. He used to be an architect.”
“So they were happy memories?”
“Yes. I guess somewhat bittersweet.”
“I can understand that.” He reached for her hand and gave it a supportive squeeze.
The drive back didn’t take long. They drove through the streets of Little Italy in downtown San Diego until they reached their final destination: Mitch’s penthouse.
It was stunning. Three hundred and sixty degree views of the San Diego Bay and even some distant mountains greeted them. The thought crossed her mind that the space had been professionally designed. It was decorated in various shades of grey, black and white, with a pop of lime to add color. The living room was beautiful. It wasn’t too masculine, or feminine. It struck the perfect balance. Beyond the glass walls was a stunning balcony enclosed with glass railings that allowed unobstructed views.
Mitch gave her a quick tour of the master and two guest bedrooms, along with the den and study—all exquisitely decorated—as were the open living and kitchen area.
Soon the music of Yanni filled the air, followed by the scents of garlic and seafood.
“What’s on the menu tonight?” Chella asked, eager to help with the extras that needed to be done in the kitchen.
“Red Snapper in a cheese and garlic sauce, mashed potatoes or white rice, and for dessert, I have a fresh apple pie in the oven.”
“It sounds so good, I can’t wait to dig in. Is there anything you need me to do? I don’t cook much, but I set a great table.”
“Sure. Set up anywhere you’d like to eat. There’s a bottle of Fumé Blanc in the wine chiller. We can have that with dinner.”
“Great. I would have loved to set up on the patio, but I think it’s too cold outside. I’ll set up in the dining room. Just tell me where the dishes and cutlery are.”
“I’ve selected everything. They’re right there behind you on the counter. Go ahead. I’m right behind you with the goodies.”
Dinner was fantastic, Chella had not enjoyed a meal like that in a long time. Dessert was even better. After clearing the dishes and tidying the kitchen, the two sat on a plush shag rug in front of the big screen TV, partially watching the Bond movie that was on, but mostly talking.
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