Secret Date

by Victoria Pinder

  “Many people do. And this means I might beat you at a game.” She headed toward his SUV. He opened his trunk and pushed her suitcase into the back. Then he opened her door and motioned for her to go inside.

  He started the engine and winked at her. “I catch on quickly, Natalie.”

  As he headed toward Sunset she bounced in her seat a little. “Oh and we’re drinking beer, not wine tonight. Can you handle that?”

  “That I can do.” He showed those dimples of his.

  “Perfect.” She placed her hand on his. The drive wasn’t that bad and soon they were outside the mall that had lots of people milling around for a movie. She pointed toward a side street. “Let’s see how you do in bowling. Park in the parking garage.”

  He followed her directions but asked, “That’s important to you?”

  Where he parked didn’t truly matter, so she shrugged. “I just want to see you in normal everyday American life. Not all of us valet every time.”

  He drove to the third floor and found a spot in the back. He parked and turned off the engine. “Don’t worry, Natalie. I always ace every test.”

  She let herself out, not waiting for him. “We’ll see.”

  “Wait.” He clicked the lock on his SUV and caught up with her in the garage.

  “What?” she asked. His arms wrapped around her again.

  A lightness entered her chest as his lips claimed hers and a thrill raced through her veins. He ended the kiss. “Now I’m ready.”

  “So let’s get going.” She took his hand and headed into the mall.

  They passed teenagers outside of the candy store and walked past the movie theater where the crowd lessened considerably. Finally, they made it toward the bowling alley that played loud rock music, served beer and full American-style dinner, and had bowling lanes. Galen gave their names to the wait list for a lane, took the buzzer, and then led her toward the bar.

  She sat on the stool. “My parents want to meet you.”

  He chose the seat beside her. “You told them about me?”

  The bartender took their order of two dark stouts and then left. Once they were alone, she leaned closer to him. “Of course. We’ll figure it out when we get back, but first let’s just focus on tonight.”

  “Natalie, I’m all yours.” He rested his hand just above her knee.

  Her body electrified but the bartender returned with drinks and the buzzer went off alerting them that their lane was ready. She grabbed her drink while he paid for the beers and she teased, “We’ll see if you can keep up.”

  He followed her, so she had an extra swing in her hips. She wanted all of Galen’s attention. Normally men didn’t get to her, but Galen was different. He was the sexiest man she’d ever met.

  From her seat on the plastic chair, Natalie sipped her beer and stared at the monitor above Galen as he picked up his bowling ball. Unbelievable. He lifted his hand and moved his backside in muscular harmony. Then he released the ball and it went right down the center, knocking down every pin. He turned and flashed a winning smile and tipped his head like he’d already won.

  She shook her head as he came beside her, slinging his arm around her shoulders. “How did you just get another strike?”

  He winked and motioned for her to stand up. “I told you: I’m good at sports.”

  Natalie stood, picked up her ball, wiggled because she knew he watched her, and aimed for the middle pin. She really focused when she threw the ball, but it only knocked down four pins. She swallowed, returned to get her ball and tried again. This time she knocked down one more. She blew out a breath and returned to her seat as Galen’s name flashed on the monitor as the winner. “I thought you were supposed to let me win.”

  He laughed and lifted his bottle. “When did you become that girl?”

  She picked up her beer and took a small drink. “How do you know I’m joking?”

  He patted her leg with confidence. “Because I know you.”

  True. They rose in unison to give up their lane when Natalie glanced to her side. The dark-haired movie star captured every eye in a light blue designer mini-dress, probably tailored, as she sauntered toward them. Natalie tugged Galen’s arm. “Is that Jennifer Gonzales?”

  Galen’s face darkened in anger. As the actress joined them she flipped her hair and Galen crossed his arms. “Jennifer, what are you doing here?”

  Jennifer spoke to Natalie and then Galen as she said, “I’m confused. Clearly. You’re drinking beer with the girl who might be pregnant with Peter’s baby?”

  Galen stepped in front of Natalie, his jaw tight. “And you’re here to talk to her and convince her to what? Give the baby to you?”

  Her heart skipped a beat. If she was pregnant, which she wasn’t, then of course she’d take care of herself and she’d never give up her unborn. Natalie shook off the thought, her stomach clenched.

  “What I want to talk to Natalie about isn’t your concern,” Jennifer said. “Are you two on a date?”

  Galen widened his stance as if ready to protect her. “Yes. So what if we are?”

  Jennifer tilted her head and smiled at Natalie. “So you took my advice. I’m happy for you.”

  Galen turned around to Natalie. “Advice?”

  Natalie, heart hammering, placed her hand on Galen’s arm to get him to lower his. “On the drive home from the clinic, Jennifer told me to stop hiding behind my wig, actually.”

  Galen relaxed beneath her touch.

  Jennifer then eyed her up and down. “I didn’t tell you to drink beer. It’s not good for the baby.”

  This whole pregnancy situation was stupid. She shook her head and stepped forward, beside Galen. “I’m not pregnant—it’s highly unlikely the procedure will take. I’ve already talked to my doctor.”

  Jennifer raised her eyebrow in challenge. “There is a small chance, though, so you should take precautions.”

  No. This wasn’t going to happen. Jennifer shouldn’t think of pushing her around, so Natalie lifted her chin. “We wouldn’t be here if you’d just own up to your feelings for Peter Morgan and move on. You don’t need to scheme.”

  Jennifer laughed like her words were hysterical and flipped her long, dark hair over her shoulder. “So don’t get a Morgan through deceit, like you did.”

  Galen tensed beside her.

  Natalie dropped her hands to her sides as she stared at Jennifer. “Why would you say that?”

  Jennifer looked from Galen to Natalie and waved a slender arm. “Hey, I’m not judging. Galen has that cute little beauty mark on his butt, shaped like the letter t—have you seen it yet?”

  Natalie’s entire body stilled.

  Galen had slept with Jennifer. How else would she know that? Just like he had known that Jennifer would be at the clinic. Now she felt cold too and hugged her waist. They’d been together very recently.

  Galen pointed toward the exit of the bowling alley. “Jennifer, it’s time to go.”

  Jennifer left, her head held high. Natalie couldn’t move and took a few deep breaths, trying to understand. Galen and Jennifer and Peter. This was all a bad soap opera and she was now part of the drama.

  She pressed her lips together as her nerves fired up throughout her body.

  Galen brushed his hand against her arm and she tugged it back and stared up into his eyes. She’d been a fool. She swallowed and crossed her arms. “Wait. Jennifer Gonzales was… that’s how you knew she was in the clinic the next morning after your brother’s wedding and then you went out with me that same night. That is gross, Galen. Did she turn down your marriage proposal and I was next in line?”

  Galen’s shoulders broadened, and he stood in front of her. “Natalie, I would never marry anyone like Jennifer.” He reached out and held her on both sides. “You’re the one I want.”

  Her body heated. She brushed him off. “Just don’t talk to me right now. I need a minute.”

  Without another word she made a beeline for the bathroom and locked herself in a stall.
She closed her eyes and took calming breaths.

  Her mind couldn’t even process that Galen had touched Jennifer. Slept with her. The vision of Galen and Jennifer in an embrace formed in her mind and wouldn’t budge.

  Two women came in and giggled at the sink, washing their hands, talking about not being jealous.

  The word struck her hard.

  Was she hurt because Galen had done something wrong, or jealous that Jennifer had been with Galen? The ladies left.

  Galen had a past and so did she. So what about Jennifer? Natalie unlocked the stall door and washed her hands too, though she was alone. She glanced in the mirror. Galen came here with her and if she was calm, they’d leave together too. There was no need to get upset. Her heart calmed down, and she left the bathroom.

  Galen waited for her with his hands tucked into the pockets of his black pants. He watched her intently. “Do you want to go home?”

  She reached for his hand and entwined their fingers, feeling the spark that rose in her body. She shook her head and smiled at him, “No, let’s get some dinner.”

  His shoulders dropped. “I thought you were angry at me.”

  They walked to the restaurant part of the venue and a girl showed them to a table. As she sat she scooted beside him, waited for the waitress to leave and said, “I was lying to you about my age and who I was at that time. But I do think we need to talk. I don’t want us having sex with anyone else except each other.”

  He lightly touched her arm leaving a trail of goosebumps in his wake. “That’s not a problem, Natalie. I meant what I said about wanting to marry you.”

  Marriage was a big step. Her mind didn’t go to the big picture but she wanted a chance for another date. “We’re not there yet, but not sleeping with anyone else is a good first step.”

  “Deal.” He agreed fast and then he opened his laminated menu. His lips tightened at the choices but he asked, “What do you want to eat?”

  She closed the menu and reached over and did the same with his. “We’re both getting cheeseburgers and French fries tonight to go with our beers.”

  His gaze narrowed. “Why is it important that we do it this way?”

  Natalie smiled. Had she broken him with a burger and fries compared to fancy cuisine? She swiveled in her seat and teased, “Are you complaining about the menu?”

  Galen seemed to think twice and straightened. “No. Tomorrow in New Orleans, I’ll pick our lunch and dinner.”

  Aww. Now that sounded reasonable and could be fun for a few days. She’d never been unless the hotel in Orlando was spot on, but she doubted it. “New Orleans. So we’re going to corporate headquarters.”

  The waitress came, took their order and quickly left. “And my house in the Garden District, if that’s okay with you. My brothers and I moved there when I was still a teenager so Paris and New Orleans both have a sense of home.”

  Good. Her pulse zipped that she’d get to see some place he loved. She took his hand. “And no ex-girlfriends will be there to greet us?”

  He squeezed her fingers. “Absolutely not.”

  The waitress returned with two cheeseburger platters and set them down. “Then let’s eat, Galen. Tonight has been fun, but I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

  Natalie took a bite of her juicy burger with American cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion, watching Galen swipe a fry through ketchup, and realized that despite Jennifer’s intrusion on their date, Galen’s attitude had been perfect.

  He was a gentleman, but he’d also taken care of her. Going away with him for a few days would be great and if she felt the same when they returned, maybe she’d be ready to listen to a real marriage proposal. For right now though, just being with him was enough.

  Natalie’s entire body was warm and full as she turned in her soft sheets. She reached for Galen, but her hand pressed against a pillow.

  She fluttered her eyes and felt someone sit on the edge of her bed. She couldn’t keep her eyes open and shut them again, but Galen caressed her thigh. “Natalie, wake up.”

  She glanced up from her pillow and looked right at him. “What time is it?”

  “Nine.” He pointed toward the windows streaming bright sunshine. “We’re off to New Orleans. The plane is fueled.”

  Wow. She’d clearly overslept, and she never slept like this, but then she was always alone. She sat up and stretched. “Right.”

  He gazed at her bare breasts and she tugged up the sheet, not sure why the sunlight made him seeing her different. Galen said, “The trip isn’t that long—go get dressed.”

  And parade naked in front of him? This time she’d be braver. She glanced around him and saw nobody on the patio. So she handed the sheet to Galen and walked into his closet to grab some clothes. She could breathe easier and it shouldn’t matter that Galen saw her now, not after last night. She knew she made no sense.

  A cute green cotton dress wrapped in plastic in her size hung on the same rack as yesterday’s suit. She popped her head out of the closet. “It’s freaking me out that someone on your staff knows my size and is shopping for me.”

  Galen joined her, his eyes on her chest as he shrugged. “I’ll ask the maid who is doing it so you can talk to them directly.”

  “Okay, thanks.” Another House of Morgan design. Sure, she was dating Galen, but wearing the label was another thing entirely. He left and she reached out to touch the fabric—which was soft and beautiful for travel. Whoever was picking these out for her knew her style and that was nice but scary.

  Was it wrong to keep it? She brought the frock into the bathroom and turned on the shower. Halfway through, she decided to wear it. It was nicer than the black slacks she’d planned for today.

  She dressed and put makeup on, but as she applied one of her last layers, Galen knocked on the bathroom door. “Come in.”

  He poked his head in. “Natalie, someone downstairs is asking for you.”

  “Me?” She finished her mascara and tucked it into her makeup bag, then returned to the closet and repacked her suitcase for their trip. “Who in the world knows I’m here?”

  Galen stretched out his arm. “Come. I found out who is sending you clothes and she says she knows you.”

  No one on staff at his house would be in her cell phone contact list as far as she knew. She took his hand and walked with him. “Really?” They made it to the end of the long hall and she glanced over the railing and down into the living room. “Oh my goodness, Caro Soliz.”

  She flew down the stairs and hugged her old college friend. With her dark hair and perfect makeup, Caro looked stunning. “Did you honestly not know, Natalie?”

  Caro had been in her sorority, and she remembered voting for the younger member to join the House. Once the hug ended, Natalie said, “I haven’t seen you since college.”

  Caro took her hand and led her to one of Galen’s many couches. “You shouldn’t have left the sorority so fast, Natalie. Once we found out what Maria did with Rocco, we voted Maria out for good.”

  Her face heated. She’d chosen to avoid all things sorority in her senior year rather than answer questions. Natalie pressed her lips together. “I didn’t want to deal with any of that drama. I just wanted to finish college and move on with my life.”

  “Sisterhood is important too.” Caro smoothed her hair out of the way and smiled. “We missed you and when I heard you were dating Galen, I knew I needed to see you again.”

  How had she heard about her and Galen? There was no way she was his maid. Caro looked too amazing, so she started her many questions slowly. “Caro, it’s been so long since I saw you. Thank you.”

  Caro glanced at Galen. “And you’re coming to my wedding. I need all my sisters there.”

  Natalie had obviously missed something important. Who was Caro to Galen and why did they seem comfortable? Natalie narrowed her gaze. “Who are you marrying?”

  “Luke,” Caro said like it was obvious. And it should be, but this didn’t connect to Galen, did it?


  Of course. The premed student who was in Caro’s room helping her study every day in college. “Luke Marshall, who followed you around like a puppy dog? He finally asked you out?”

  Caro gave her a strange look. “His name is Luke Morgan actually—though in college he used his mother’s maiden name as his last name.”

  Morgan? Natalie stilled, and her mouth didn’t quite close. Galen had a brother with that name and he was a doctor. “Wait, I knew a Morgan then? What a coincidence—I’m so happy for you.”

  Caro smiled brightly again.

  Galen edged toward the front door. “And I’m so telling my brother you thought he was a puppy dog.”

  “Galen!” Natalie turned her attention back to Caro and her heart felt lighter, now that she understood the connection. “I had no idea that was Galen’s brother.”

  Caro said, “The wedding is soon and I’m putting you next to Galen on the guest list, don’t worry.”

  Natalie’s head spun. Galen’s phone rang, and he stepped back and answered. “Wait, how are you the one leaving me clothes?”

  Caro grinned. “Yeah, I work for the House of Morgan. Those are my designs and my mother staffs all the Morgan’s service workers, so that’s how they arrived in Galen’s closet.”

  Natalie had no idea that Caro had become so successful. “I’m really impressed. I haven’t done anything creative or interesting since college, just earned my masters that didn’t matter and tried to find a few jobs.”

  Galen hung up his phone.

  “Working is a good quality and you must be a hard worker because Galen is super driven.” Caro stood, handed her a business card, and quickly said, “Galen and his real estate business are lucky. I won’t keep you from your trip any longer, but I wanted to welcome you and ensure you have my number. Don’t lose contact again.”

  Natalie would add Caro’s number to her phone the moment she found her phone again. She stood and hugged her tight. “I won’t, Caro. Thank you.”

  Galen and Natalie walked Caro to the front door. Her friend was far down the path when Galen placed his hand on Natalie’s lower back. “Do you feel better about accepting the clothes now?”