Читать онлайн книгу «A San Diego Romance» автора Kianna Alexander
A San Diego Romance
Kianna Alexander
Heaven in his armsChristopher Marland, president of Millionaire Moguls of San Diego, is too busy for a personal life. The moment Eliza Ellicott arrives back in his world, he knows no woman has ever compared to his first love. A broken heart gave Eliza the drive to succeed and she’s opened a new boutique. She’ll gladly help Chris’s teenage daughter, but her heart is closed to him. Can she learn to trust again?
Heaven in his arms
Christopher Marland, president of Millionaire Moguls of San Diego, is too busy for a personal life. The moment Eliza Ellicott arrives back in his world, he knows no woman has ever compared to his first love. A broken heart gave Eliza the drive to succeed and she’s opened a new boutique. She’ll gladly help Chris’s teenage daughter, but her heart is closed to him. Can she learn to trust again?
KIANNA ALEXANDER, like any good Southern belle, wears many hats: loving wife, doting mama, advice-dispensing sister and gabbing girlfriend. She’s a voracious reader, an amateur seamstress and occasional painter in oils. Chocolate, American history, sweet tea and Idris Elba are a few of her favorite things. A native of the Tar Heel state, Kianna still lives there with her husband, two kids and a collection of well-loved vintage ’80s Barbie dolls. You can keep up with Kianna’s releases and appearances by signing up for her mailing list at: www.authorkiannaalexander.com/sign-up (http://www.authorkiannaalexander.com/sign-up).
Also By Kianna Alexander (#u84027630-8416-5f05-bba3-0ca9fc2863e8)
This Tender Melody
Every Beat of My Heart
A Sultry Love Song
Tempo of Love
A Love Like This
A San Diego Romance
Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
A San Diego Romance
Kianna Alexander
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
ISBN: 978-1-474-08478-9
A SAN DIEGO ROMANCE
© 2018 Harlequin Books S.A.
Published in Great Britain 2018
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF
All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.
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www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
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.
Hi there!
I hope you’ll enjoy A San Diego Romance, my contribution to the Millionaire Moguls series. I was uncertain how this would all turn out since I’ve never done a group project quite like this before, but I think it turned out well. And I couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with Yahrah St. John and Reese Ryan. Check out Chris and Eliza’s love story, and let me know your thoughts on Facebook (Facebook.com/kiannawrites (https://www.facebook.com/KiannaWrites/)), Twitter (@kiannawrites (https://twitter.com/kiannawrites?lang=en)) or Instagram (@kiannaalexanderwrites (https://www.instagram.com/KiannaAlexanderWrites/)).
All the best,
Kianna
For all those who love a sailor, soldier, airman, marine or other servicemember. Thank you for lending your loved ones to our nation.
Contents
Cover (#ude99bbef-7bf3-51ad-94e2-07ab9bf56fad)
Back Cover Text (#uf7b414ec-e722-5ea5-a51e-f1b7289c54ba)
About the Author (#uf75e5bb6-ede5-54ca-a1fc-cb5dd0c68992)
Booklist (#u4654b36a-6e99-5260-b88b-760b4e965ac9)
Title Page (#ua6479f2a-3348-54d5-b204-d5132a96bd74)
Copyright (#u00bc0572-9a5c-5cc2-aab0-df625918fb97)
Introduction (#uf0871465-0b98-582f-82f2-6243e7222094)
Dear Reader (#u127750e5-c9a8-5f24-928e-0a09e7310ac1)
Dedication (#ud9d1b8f3-1944-58f2-b8b2-460b50acc128)
Chapter 1 (#u96f35640-5a83-5db1-9aa6-d31b8e8e1d54)
Chapter 2 (#u5545620c-944f-5e64-baba-f11dcb63d0a5)
Chapter 3 (#u2d7c4022-c427-5b2b-9c7a-05eb3aa0f770)
Chapter 4 (#u8206e3a1-2a65-5ac9-a056-b72acb163f95)
Chapter 5 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 6 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 7 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 8 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 9 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 10 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 11 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 12 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 13 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 14 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 15 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 16 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 17 (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 1 (#u84027630-8416-5f05-bba3-0ca9fc2863e8)
Coffee mug in hand, Christopher Marland took a seat on one end of the black leather sofa inside the San Diego office of Prescott George. It was quiet for a Wednesday morning, or maybe it just seemed that way to him. As an architect who’d created designs for buildings all over the world, and a divorced parent of teenage twins, he had a million things on his mind. One of his most important roles, though, was here, as the president of the San Diego chapter of Prescott George, a club of sorts for African American millionaires. And at the moment, the problems plaguing the organization were foremost in his mind.
Vaughn Ellicott, an old friend who served as treasurer of Prescott George, sat on the opposite end of the sofa, drinking from his own mug. “Listen, Chris. We need to talk about what happened at Jordan’s studio.”
Chris felt his face crease into a frown at the mention of the incident. Jordan Jace, a gifted sculptor and fellow member of Prescott George, had recently had one of his sculptures vandalized during a Prescott George party he’d hosted at his gallery. That would be upsetting enough in itself, but there was more to it. “I’m still pissed that he would accuse Jojo.” Chris wasn’t the type of parent to believe his children could do no wrong, but he knew his daughter. “Jojo isn’t a troublemaker.”
“You don’t have to tell me. I know Jojo’s a good kid.”
“I mean, I drop thousands every year for her and Jack to go to one of the best private schools in the city.” Chris ran his free hand over his head. “She makes the honor roll every nine weeks, she does her chores and she never gives me a bit of trouble.”
“Jordan was bugging, Chris. It was probably just the stress of the whole incident that had him talking crazy like that.” Vaughn took another long draw from the mug. “Try to cut him some slack.”
While he understood that Jordan had been upset, Chris still didn’t like the way things had gone down. He felt insulted on his daughter’s behalf. “I know, I know. But I’m just not sure what to do here. I can’t go for him talking about my daughter that way. And at this point, he’s just piling on. There’s already so much bad press out there about us right now.”
Vaughn nodded. “Right. With the break-in here, and now this vandalism thing, we’re looking way more scandalous than I would prefer.”
“You and me both. As chapter president, all this drama reflects badly on me.” Chris sighed, drinking down about half his coffee in one long swig. The way this day was going, he would need the caffeine. “And the timing of all this couldn’t be worse. We finally got the Chapter of the Year nod, we’ve got a gala coming up in less than six weeks and everything seems to be going to the left.”
With a rueful shake of his head, Vaughn asked, “So, what are we going to do about all this?”
“We’ve got to think strategically, then find the underlying cause of this mess before the chapter goes down in flames.”
“Right. Can you think of anybody who might be holding a grudge against us? Either as a chapter, or as an organization as a whole?”
Chris shrugged. “Not off the top of my head.”
Vaughn set his mug aside. “I know it’s a sensitive subject, man, but I have to ask. Do you think Sheila might have been involved in any of this?”
Feeling his frown deepen at the mention of her name, Chris admitted, “It’s possible. I certainly wouldn’t put it past her.” His ex-wife was about as vindictive and petty as a person could be. Even though they saw as little of each other as possible these days, Chris couldn’t cut her out of his life because of their twins, Jack and Jojo. “I know for a fact she enjoys seeing me miserable.”
“She’s a real piece of work, your ex.” Vaughn’s phone vibrated, and he looked at the screen briefly before pocketing it.
“You’re telling me. I never should have married her.” When Chris had met Sheila, he’d been on the heels of a serious heartbreak. She’d slid right in to comfort him, and a few months later, she’d announced her pregnancy. “I mean, I don’t regret my kids. They were really the only good thing to come out of our relationship.”
Vaughn smiled. “They’re amazing kids, Chris.”
“Thanks.” Inwardly, he agreed. Jack and Jojo were the best part of his life. He simply wished he could say the same about the circumstances that brought them into this world. He sighed then, wondering if his dealings with women would ever come without the drama. “I don’t know, man. Maybe I’m just not meant to be coupled up. Seems to me my life goes a lot smoother when I’m on my own.”
“That’s what you think now. But if the right one ever comes along, you’ll change your mind.” Vaughn’s grin broadened.
“You and Miranda are different.” Chris knew Vaughn was talking about his new wife, and he was happy for his friend. What Vaughn didn’t know was that the “right one” had already come and gone. Chris had probably already blown his shot at true happiness.
“If you say so. Hey, what’s going on with that latest design project you were after?”
Chris felt his mood lighten as Vaughn changed the subject. “Oh, you mean the new Museum of Sustainable Art? I won the bid.”
Vaughn moved closer, gave Chris a slap on the back. “You snagged it? Hey, congratulations, man.”
“Thanks, V.”
“So, what’s this museum going to be all about?”
Chris scratched his chin as he recalled the description given to him by the developer. “They plan to showcase modern art and sculpture that was created using only green supplies, tools and methods. Should be a pretty interesting place once it’s open.”
“Sounds like it.” Vaughn stood then and grabbed his mug. “You done? I’m taking mine to the sink.”
Chris handed off his mug and watched as Vaughn strode off, disappearing into the small kitchen to deposit the two cups.
When Vaughn returned, he asked, “When are the final blueprints due for this one?”
“I’ve got a couple of months. They want to break ground in September.”
“I see. Well, I’m sure you’ll live up to your world renown and blow them away with your design.” The loud buzzing of Vaughn’s phone sounded then. He checked the screen, then said, “Excuse me, man. I’ve gotta take this.”
Chris nodded, settling back into his seat while Vaughn stepped around the corner to answer the call. He let his mind wander then, away from the stress of his daily life and back to the beautiful face of the only woman who’d ever really had his heart. He could still picture her clearly, despite the years that had passed since he’d last seen her. He felt the smile tilt his lips at the memory of her soft bronze skin, full lips and expressive brown eyes. She’d brought so much joy into his life, yet somehow, he’d been fool enough to let his fears come between them. He’d walked away from her, driven away by the threats of what would happen to his career if he stayed. To this day, he still regretted that decision.
Vaughn returned then, his face creased with worry. “Something’s going down at Elite, Chris. I gotta go.” Vaughn owned an exclusive surf wear company, and he was as passionate about his business as he was about surfing.
Chris balked. “Is it serious? Does it involve PG?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.”
“What about lunch?”
Vaughn shrugged as he headed for the door. “I’m not sure, but I hope I’ll be back by then. I’ll let you know.” On the heels of his words, he left.
Alone in the office, Chris wondered what was going on at Elite.
He also wondered what Vaughn would think had he known Chris was fantasizing about Vaughn’s baby sister.
* * *
As Eliza Ellicott walked through the glass door, entering the Prescott George office, she glanced around the familiar surroundings. The interior was quiet, and she wondered again what exactly the guys did here. Where’s Vaughn? Knowing her older brother, he’d probably gotten caught up in something and forgotten their plans for the day.
She went down the hall, encountering no one. She knew that since the door was open, somebody had to be there. When she stepped into the main lobby area, her gaze landed on the black leather sofa.
She jumped when she saw Christopher Marland reclining there, reading a newspaper. He wore a dark suit, crisp white shirt and emerald green tie.
He looked up, a smile crossing his handsome face when he saw her. “Eliza. It’s been ages. How are you?”
Seeing him had her so out of sorts, all she could manage was to squeak out a hello.
His smile broadened. “Come on in. What brings you to Prescott George?”
She couldn’t help staring at his dark gorgeousness. The smile highlighted his full lips and chiseled jawline and put a sparkle in his coffee-hued eyes. Realizing she couldn’t continue to stand there like a deer in the high beams, she shook herself free of his spell as best she could. “I...uh... Where’s Vaughn? I was supposed to meet him for lunch.”
His expression changed. “Oh, sorry. You just missed him.”
She sighed. “Crap.”
“He got a call from Elite and rushed over there.” He folded the newspaper and set it aside. “I’m guessing there was some emergency that needed his attention.”
Her stomach rumbled. She’d been at the counter at her boutique, Ellicott’s, for four solid hours, and now her body demanded sustenance. “I guess that means I’m on my own for lunch, then.” She turned, intent on leaving the same way she’d come.
“Wait.” Chris’s deep voice gave her pause.
She turned back his way. “What is it?”
“Listen, why don’t you stay and have lunch with me? I mean, you already drove all the way over here.” He stood then, his height towering over her.
She pulled her fallen purse strap back up on her shoulder and swallowed. Christopher Marland, the man who’d broken her heart fourteen years ago, was inviting her to have lunch with him. Alone. She doubted he even knew how crushed she’d been by his leaving. Logic told her to get the hell out of there as fast as her black pumps would carry her. “I don’t know, Chris.”
He moved closer then, entering her personal bubble. “I ordered from the Lotus Flower, that new Asian fusion sushi place. At the time, I thought Vaughn would be here, so I ordered enough for two.”
“I, well...” She looked away from his penetrating gaze, feeling herself taken in by his charm. He had a way about him, something that seemed to melt her resistance. His scent, clean and masculine, threatened to overwhelm her. Her inner voice reminded her of good sense, while her stomach reminded her of how much she loved sushi.
“I know you’re probably really busy, so you don’t have to stay long. But I’d hate for the food to go to waste.”
Her stomach growled again, louder this time. She looked his way, hoping he hadn’t heard it.
His grin told her he had.
Hunger won out over logic, in more ways than one. She drew a deep breath. “I’ll stay.”
“Great. Food should be here soon.” He gestured to the circular table and four chairs occupying a corner of the room. “Care to sit down?”
She watched him slide out a chair and stand behind it. When she sat down, he pushed her chair up to the table before taking the seat across from her.
“Still a gentleman, I see.” The remark slipped out before she could stop it.
“Always.” He fixed her with a knowing gaze.
The sound of the glass door opening stopped any further chatter. He stood. “Must be the delivery guy. I’ll get it.”
She sat alone, trying to get her mind right. A few moments later, he returned with the plastic bag. The scent of the food made her stomach grumble again, but she was grateful to have something to distract her from Chris’s distinctive aroma.
As he set the large paper bag of food on the table, she pulled out her travel-sized hand sanitizer. After doing her hands, she offered it to him.
“Thanks.” He used it, then passed the bottle back to her and started setting the food out.
At first, they ate in silence, and she devoured three California rolls. Swallowing a bite, she looked up and saw his gaze resting on her face. “Um, sorry. I was pretty hungry.”
He shrugged. “No biggie. Tell me, how are things at Ellicott’s?”
That brought a smile to her face. “Great. I’ve recently started to carry some clothes and accessories by a new designer. Her name is Bea Phillips, and her items are selling as soon as I can get them in.”
Taking a swig from his bottled water, he asked, “So, what kinds of things does she design?”
“Mainly dresses, but she also makes jewelry and handbags.” She forked up some of her jasmine rice.
“I’m glad to hear business is booming. Back in the day, you would always talk about owning your own boutique.” He tucked his empty plastic tray back into the paper bag. “I knew you’d do it one day.”
“I’m surprised you remember the things we talked about back then,” she said absently. “In a lot of ways, that all seems like ancient history.” Or at least that’s what she told herself. She’d been heartbroken when they parted ways, but he didn’t know that, and she intended to keep it that way. Besides, she’d done well for herself, both personally and professionally. She’d managed to get the store established and off the ground. And rather than close herself off to romantic relationships, she’d had a string of steady boyfriends, all from prominent social circles. No one could say she’d gone into hiding after Chris left.
“You’d be surprised by all the things I remember.” He smiled as he tipped the water bottle and drained the remaining contents.
Hearing what he’d said, and thinking of the implications of that, made her quickly change the subject. “I don’t know if Vaughn talks about our sisters much, but they’re both married with kids now.”
He nodded. “I know. Vaughn talks about Brianne and Emily on occasion. I know he loves being an uncle.”
She thought back to the conversations they’d had years ago about her dreams. What he didn’t know was how she’d dreamed of being a mother and wife in addition to running her store. Back then, she’d thought she could have it all. Reality had shown her something different. “I’m the only girl in the family to strike out on her own to conquer the business world.”
“Nothing wrong with that, especially when you’re successful at what you do.” He gestured to her near-empty tray. “Are you done?”
She nodded, tucking her trash into the paper bag.
He left the table to throw all the garbage away, then returned to his seat across from her. Stretching, he said, “Yeah. Growing up an only child made me want a big family of my own. Things didn’t exactly go as planned, but I have Jack and Jojo now, and I couldn’t be more grateful for them.”
She felt her heart constrict in her chest at his words. His marriage to his ex-wife had come right on the heels of their breakup, effectively dashing her hopes of reconciliation between them. And now, despite the utter failure of the marriage, he’d still gotten one thing she wanted just as much as she wanted success in business: children. Still, she hid her feelings behind a practiced smile. “How are the kids? They’re teenagers now, aren’t they? I hear that’s an adventure.”
“Yeah, they’re thirteen now. They’re a handful, for sure. I get them every other weekend.”
“What are kids really like at this age?”
“They’re still kids, but they think of themselves as adults, so that’s hard to navigate.” He straightened in his chair. “There are times when I feel torn between work and doing things with them, and sometimes they have their own plans and don’t want to be stuck with me.” He shrugged. “I just do my best, take it one day at a time. They know I love them, and that’s the most important thing.”
She nodded, keeping the smile plastered on her face. Inside, she mused that if she and Chris had gotten married, their children would be about Jack and Jojo’s age. She didn’t dare open her mouth, lest her thoughts become words.
He smiled again then. “I’m really glad you came by, Eliza. It’s so good to see you again.”
She averted her eyes from his arresting handsomeness, only made more appealing by his expression. Was he flirting with her? Her feminine instincts told her he was. Why would he do that now, after all these years apart?
The man he used to be was long gone, as was the young, idealistic girl she’d once been. What she saw before her now was a divorced workaholic who’d walked away from her when he had the chance to make things official.
As far as she was concerned, there was nothing left for her and Chris.
Chapter 2 (#u84027630-8416-5f05-bba3-0ca9fc2863e8)
Chris was enjoying spending time with Eliza. It had been ages since he’d seen her, and having her grace him with her beautiful presence again lit the dark corners of his heart. She seemed a little guarded, and he supposed he understood that, after the abrupt ending of their relationship. Still, he couldn’t deny the feelings this woman elicited in him. He’d thought of her often over the years, and had always known he was still attracted to her. Being in the same room with her now showed him just how strong his feelings still were.
She’s even more beautiful than I remember. While they spoke, he looked over her glossy dark hair, her pink lipstick and the dark fringe of lashes framing her sparkling eyes. Even the way she sat across from him, with one long, bare leg crossed demurely over the other, enthralled him.
“I mean, they’re teenagers,” he continued. “Sometimes I don’t understand a word they’re saying. But at least I’m never bored.”
She stood then, her movement abrupt. “I think I’ve stayed too long.” As she spoke, she smoothed her palms over the formfitting sheath she wore, as if brushing away imaginary wrinkles.
Chris stood, too, caught off guard by her action. Moments ago, they’d been chatting about his twins, and she’d been smiling and nodding. Now, her closed-off expression and tense stance gave him pause. “You don’t have to rush off, Eliza. There’s not too much going on here today.”
She slipped her purse strap over her shoulder. “It’s just that I really have to get back to the boutique. I’ve got a million things to do this afternoon.”
He wanted to convince her to stay, but how could he? She wasn’t the starry-eyed teenager who’d stolen his heart anymore; she was a successful businesswoman with responsibilities. Even though the woman she’d become appealed to him in every way, he knew he had no right to hold her there. “I understand. I won’t keep you, if you’ve got...” His sentence was cut off by the ringing of his cell phone. He slipped it from his pocket, glanced at it. “I have to take this. Excuse me, Eliza.”
“I’ve got to go, Chris.” She started walking toward the hallway.
“Just give me a few moments, please. I want to at least see you out, okay?”
She stopped, turned his way. “All right.”
He answered his phone then. “Jojo? How are you, sweetheart?”
“I’m okay, I guess.”
Sensing the angst in her words, he asked, “What do you need, Jojo?”
“Well, there’s this dance coming up at school. Mom says I can go, if you say it’s okay. So, can I go?”
The parts of him that still saw her as a little girl warred with the reality of her actual age. Finally, he acquiesced. “Sure. Who are you going with?” Relief coursed through him as she named two of her female friends.
“There’s one more thing. I really need a dress.”
“A dress?” Chris looked at Eliza. She was leaning against the wall between the kitchen and the hallway. “Jojo, I may be able to help you with that.” Covering the microphone, he gestured to her. “Eliza, can you come here for a second?”
She walked over, a curious expression on her face. “What is it?”
“I know you have to go, but my daughter’s on the phone. She needs a dress for a school dance. Can you help us out?”
“Maybe. What size does she wear?”
He scratched his head. “I don’t know. I could ask her...”
Eliza’s lips tilted in a soft smile. “She’s thirteen, right? I remember those days well. Why don’t you just bring her to the shop Friday?” She glanced at her gold watch. “I really do have to go.”
“What time should I bring her?” he asked as Eliza strode away.
“Around six,” she answered as she rounded the corner to the hallway.
A few moments later, Chris heard the door to the office open, then close as she walked out. Uncovering the mic, he spoke to his daughter. “Good news. Friday, I’ll take you shopping for a dress.”
Jojo exhaled. “Thanks, Dad.” Then she paused. “Wait. You’re not going to take me to the little girl’s section of Macy’s again, are you?”
He chuckled at the memory of how their last shopping trip had panned out. “No, no. I’m taking you to a boutique in Gaslamp. Don’t worry, you’ll love it.”
“Sounds great. When?”
“I’ll pick you up around five Friday evening. We’ll grab dinner and head over after that.”
Her voice took on the light, happy tone of a girl pleased with her father. “You’re the best, Dad. Gotta go. Love you.”
He smiled, both at her words and at knowing she was excited. “I love you, too.”
After he disconnected the call, he looked around the quiet office. He and Vaughn had been the only members in the building today, and now that Eliza had gone, he was alone save for the security guard patrolling the place. In truth, he needed this time alone to think. The problems at Prescott George were pressing, and he needed the space and silence to determine the best course of action. As chapter president, the responsibility rested on his shoulders.
Chris knew full well what an honor it was for it to be chosen for the Chapter of the Year award. The San Diego chapter members were a younger set compared with the old guard of the original members’ descendants in some of the other chapters. Prescott George had been around for a long time, and not everyone embraced the necessary changes that came with changing times. Still, if the national organization had seen fit to recognize his chapter, then Chris would make damn sure that San Diego PG lived up to those lofty expectations.
Now, though, he had something else on his mind; an almost welcome distraction. He’d been shocked and amazed to see Eliza Ellicott stroll into the office, looking every bit like his dream come true. Here he was, at the top of his game in the architecture field, with his designs having been used for structures all around the world. Yet when she’d walked in, he’d felt...outdone, as if she were way out of his league. He could have spent all day talking to her, watching her smile light the room. While he didn’t like that she’d been inconvenienced by her brother, he was glad fate had decided to let him enjoy her company again.
He thought of Vaughn then and wondered what was going on at Elite. Lunch had long since ended, and Vaughn hadn’t reached out yet. Chris pulled out his phone again, intent on calling his friend before he continued strategizing his plans for the chapter.
After all, if it was something serious, he needed to know so he could lend a hand. He could only hope whatever was going down at Elite wasn’t tied to Prescott George. Their chapter had enough problems already.
* * *
Ellicott’s did brisk business on the weekends, and Friday evening was no exception. Eliza and her two clerks were all working, with Eliza bagging purchases and the clerks running the registers.
As Eliza passed one of her signature glossy silver paper bags filled with items to a customer, she heard the bell ring, signaling someone entering the shop. After the customer was taken care of, she glanced toward the door and saw Chris walking in her direction.
Eliza couldn’t help admiring him as he walked. Dressed in a dark blue polo shirt, matching sneakers and a pair of khaki shorts that revealed his muscled calves, he looked ready to head down to the marina for a day on the bay.
At his side was a pretty young lady in ripped white jeans, a Candy Crush T-shirt and sneakers. She was tall for her age; the top of her head lined up with Chris’s shoulder. Her dark brown hair, styled in box braids, hung just past her collarbone. Much of her face was concealed by the round frames of a very large pair of white-rimmed sunglasses.
The pair walked up to the counter, and Chris smiled as he made eye contact with her. “Hi, Eliza. Thanks for doing this for me.”
She swallowed a lump in her throat. The combination of his smile and his tone made her awareness of him rise. “No problem.” She reached across the counter and stuck out her hand to the young lady. “You must be Jojo. I’m Eliza, nice to meet you.”
“Yes. Hi.” Jojo removed her sunglasses.
Eliza’s breath caught when she saw Chris’s eyes looking back at her. To say Jojo resembled Chris would be an understatement. “Wow. You look an awful lot like your father.”
Jojo grinned. “Thanks, I think.” Shaking hands with Eliza, she asked, “Dad told me to call you Ms. Ellicott. Can I call you by your first name?”
Eliza chuckled. “I’m fine with you using my first name, but I’ll defer to your father.”
Chris shrugged. “I don’t mind if you don’t.”
“You can call me Eliza, then.” She walked around the counter and stood between Chris and Jojo. “So, what kind of dress do you have in mind, Jojo?”
Jojo’s expression showed her uncertainty. “I’m not really sure. It’s my first real dance.”
Eliza gave Chris a playful jab with her elbow. “You ready for this, Dad?”
Half smiling, he shook his head. “Don’t ask. Let’s just say I’m going along with it.”
“Well, Jojo, if you trust me, I’ve got some ideas.” She stood back, getting another look at her client. “With your height and figure, you’ll have a lot of options.
She blushed. “Really?”
Eliza nodded. “Definitely. As a matter of fact, I’ve got some new dresses that just came in from a local designer that I think would be perfect for you.”
Jojo’s eyes widened. “New designer dresses?”
“Yep.” Eliza reached out and linked arms with Jojo. “Come with me. I’ll show you.” She led her over to the right side of the store, where new merchandise was on display. “We can narrow it down if you tell me your favorite color.”
Chris followed them, observing quietly.
Jojo, her eyes still wide, perused the racks of dresses in front of her. “I really like orange. Do you have anything in that color?”
Eliza tapped her chin for a moment, mentally going through the latest shipment. Then she snapped her fingers. “Yes.” She moved over two racks from where Jojo and Chris stood and searched through the drawers holding merchandise she didn’t have room to display on the racks or mannequins. When she found the dress she was looking for, she unfolded it and held it up. “What do you think?”
Jojo gasped. “OMG. It’s gorgeous.”
“When you said you liked orange, I thought you’d like this one.” Eliza admired the sleeveless, calf-length dress. The V-neck line was subtle and adorned with crystals, as was the flounce at the hem. “It’s so new it hasn’t even been on display yet.”
“Wow.” Jojo took the dress from Eliza. Looking to Chris, she asked, “Can I try it on, Dad?”
“Sure.” Chris smiled at his daughter. “Is this the only one you want to try on?”
Jojo looked back at Eliza. “Can I look through the racks?”
“Go ahead.” Eliza watched as Jojo searched through the displays.
Jojo came back with two dresses. One was a soft shade of yellow and very low-cut in the front. The other, a coral minidress, couldn’t possibly hit longer than midthigh on someone her height.
Chris began shaking his head almost immediately. “No way, young lady.”
Jojo frowned. “Geez, Dad.” She turned to Eliza, hoping for a reprieve. “What do you think?”
Eliza tapped her chin with her forefinger. She agreed with Chris: these two dresses were far too revealing for someone Jojo’s age. Seeking to steer her in a better direction, she said, “I can see why you like them, but let’s try these instead.”
Her frown softening a bit, Jojo asked, “You have more dresses in mind for me?”
“Just a couple.” Eliza put back the dresses Jojo had chosen and noted the relief on Chris’s face. Then she moved through the store, pulling the other two dresses she thought might suit Jojo’s age and tastes, and handed them over. “Come on, I’ll set you up in a room.”
Once Jojo was inside one of the five dressing rooms on the back wall of the store, Eliza leaned against the edge of the counter, awaiting the fashion show to come.
Chris, standing next to her, said, “You’ve got a gift. I can see you’re very good at what you do here.”
“I appreciate that.” Eliza smiled his way. His compliment flattered her, probably more than it should have. Of course, it had always been that way. He’d been skilled at sweet-talking her back in the day, and he hadn’t lost his touch.
“I’m amazed at how fast you built a rapport with California’s most fickle teenage girl. Beyond that, you only chose dresses for her that were age appropriate, and she actually seemed to like them.” Chris shook his head, his expression conveying his amazement. “When I try to pick out things for her, I just get the pouty face.”
Eliza laughed. “Like I said, I remember what it was like to be her age. It’s an awkward time, when all a girl wants is to be cool and fit in.” It wasn’t until Eliza was in her midtwenties that she truly understood the value of individualism, and embraced it.
Chris walked closer to her, entering her personal bubble the same way he had at Prescott George. “Well, you have my undying respect and gratitude.”
“Still a smooth talker, I see.” She turned toward him, her back against the edge of the counter.
“It’s the truth.” He took a step closer to her. “These aren’t empty words to gas you up. I really feel that way.”
Their gazes met and held, and Eliza found herself unable to turn away. How could he still have such a hold on her, after all this time? It seemed she’d done the right thing by avoiding him over the last several years.
They stood there that way, searching each other’s eyes, for several long moments.
Jojo’s voice broke into Eliza’s thoughts.
“How do I look?”
Eliza, grateful for the distraction, drew a breath.
“We’ll talk more later.” Chris said the words for her ears only.
Chapter 3 (#u84027630-8416-5f05-bba3-0ca9fc2863e8)
Chris’s eyes lingered on Eliza’s face a moment longer, then he directed his attention to his daughter.
Chris swung his gaze toward Jojo, who’d emerged from the dressing room in a soft orange A-line dress with a taffeta skirt.
“It’s gorgeous.” Eliza smiled in her direction. “Turn around so we can see it all.”
The dress Jojo wore now wasn’t the first one Eliza had handed her, but she did look beautiful in it. “I love it, sweetie. Very nice.”
Eliza chimed in again. “What do you think of it, Jojo?”
Regarding her reflection in the mirrors in the corner, Jojo shrugged. “It’s really pretty, but I don’t know if it’s the one I want.”
Walking over to her, Eliza patted her on the shoulder. “That’s fine. Go try on the others, then you can make your choice.”
Jojo nodded, then disappeared back into the dressing room.
Anticipating this might take a while, Chris sat down on one of the three upholstered ottomans near the dressing room doors. He let his gaze sweep over the interior of Eliza’s boutique. From the front door, he’d seen a lot of it, but from his current vantage point, he could see it all. The soft gray walls and carpet seemed to disappear behind her colorful assortment of clothing, jewelry and accessories. The layout of the store left plenty of space for customers to walk between the mannequins, racks and displays, and there was even a small conversation area with a sofa, two chairs and a coffee table, situated on the opposite side of the counter from the dressing rooms. Though he didn’t know much about women’s fashion, he could appreciate the work Eliza must have put into the design and setup of her store. She’d taken a space that, from an architectural perspective, was pretty basic, and transformed it into something welcoming and aesthetically pleasing.
He saw her talking to one of her staff members, and he could feel the smile tilting his lips. She probably thought the long, silent moment they’d spent before Jojo had come out to model the dress could be forgotten or tossed aside. He knew better. Though no words had been exchanged, the unspoken desire flowing between them had been obvious. He wouldn’t press her about it now, because he’d come here for his daughter. Eventually, though, they were going to discuss what was happening between them.
Jojo came out then in the bedazzled orange dress Eliza had first chosen for her. Chris couldn’t help smiling when he saw his daughter in the dress. It was tasteful, pretty and perfectly suited to her.
Grinning, Jojo came to stand by the mirrors. “Wow. This is it.”
“I agree.” Chris watched her do a slow turn, amazed at how grown-up his little girl suddenly looked.
Eliza came over then and began applauding as soon as she saw Jojo. “Oh, honey. You should get this one. It’s perfect on you.”
Jojo’s eyes sparkled as she looked at her reflection from various angles. “Okay, Dad. This is the one I want.”
“Great. Let’s box it up.” Chris stood. He loved spending time with his daughter, and with Eliza, but he didn’t really want to spend his entire Friday night hanging out in a ladies’ clothing store.
“Wait.” Jojo walked away from the mirrors and grabbed Eliza’s arms. “Now I need accessories. Can you help me find shoes, jewelry and maybe a bag?”
“Sure thing.” Eliza glanced at Chris. “Give us a few minutes more, okay?”
Sitting back down, Chris nodded. “I’ll be here.”
He watched the pair search through the accessories displays on the front left side of the store and the shoe section next to them. He could hear some of their conversation about what was currently “in” right now, and their chatter about shoes, necklaces and handbags threatened to put him to sleep. Still, he could see the rapport growing between Eliza and Jojo, and from where he sat, his daughter even seemed impressed with his former sweetheart. Moody and unpredictable as Jojo could be, impressing her was no small feat.
When Jojo finally piled her things up on the counter for Eliza to ring up, Chris marveled at the size of the pile. “Do you really need all of this, Jojo?”
“Well, Dad, I got the dress for the dance, plus an extra one, just in case.” Jojo picked up the items one by one as she explained. “Then I needed shoes, earrings, a necklace, a bracelet, this cute little bag...”
Chris put his hand up. “Okay, okay.” He reached for his wallet as a smiling Eliza started tallying the bill.
Ten minutes and a few hundred dollars later, Eliza handed a metallic silver bag over the counter to Jojo. “Here you go, honey. Have fun at the dance.”
Chris turned to leave, but Jojo hesitated.
“Can I have a minute, Dad?”
“Sure. I’ll wait by the door.” He walked away, taking up a post by the exit. From where he stood, he could hear them talking.
“I’d really like to be able to call you, if you don’t mind.” Jojo leaned over the counter. “That way I can find out when new stuff comes in, and get tips from you on fashion and stuff.”
“I don’t mind at all.” A smiling Eliza took one of the store’s business cards off the stack by the register and jotted something on the back. Passing it to Jojo, she winked. “Here’s my number.”
“Thanks. See you later.” Jojo tucked the card into her hip pocket and walked toward where Chris stood waiting at the door.
As they stepped out into the cool evening air, Chris commented, “You really like Eliza, huh?”
“She seems cool.” Jojo’s tone was nonchalant. She waited for Chris to open the passenger-side door of his midsize sedan, then climbed in.
He shut his daughter in, then climbed into the driver’s seat. While buckling up he asked, “Are you actually going to call her?”
Jojo chuckled. “I am. I wanna get the new stuff before everybody else does.” She squirmed a bit and reached into her pocket. Handing him the card, she said, “So, be sure to return this to me after you call her.”
Chris felt his eyes widen. “What?”
Jojo shook her head. “Come on, Dad. You’re crushing on her. Anybody can see that.”
“You’re very perceptive.”
“I know. That’s why I knew you’d need my help.”
Chris shook his head. Starting his car, he marveled at his daughter. “You’re amazing. Thanks, Jojo.”
“No problem, Dad. You can pay me back in new clothes.”
A laughing Chris backed out of the parking spot and pulled out into the road.
* * *
Later that night, Chris pulled the Ellicott’s business card out and punched the number into his phone.
“Hello?” Eliza’s voice filled his ear as she answered the call.
“Hi, Eliza. It’s me, Chris.”
“Chris?” The surprise in her voice was soon replaced with acceptance. “Got my number from Jojo, right?”
He chuckled. “Yeah, she helped me out.”
Eliza cleared her throat. “What can I do for you, Chris?”
He had many answers for that question, but he went with the most appropriate one. “I’m just calling to thank you for helping me out with Jojo today.”
“It’s no problem. She’s a sweet kid, and I was happy to help.”
“She’s pretty hard to please these days, but bringing her to Ellicott’s got me some major brownie points with her. I really appreciate it.”
Eliza laughed, the sound soft and musical. “Like I said, no problem. Actually, you already thanked me, by spending all that money in my store. I’d say we’re even.”
“Still, I’d like to do something for you. Why don’t you let me take you to dinner tomorrow night?”
She hesitated for a long moment. “I don’t know, Chris.”
“It’s just dinner. You gotta eat, right?”
She exhaled in his ear, then gave in. “Okay, Chris. I’ll go out with you, but it can’t be anyplace too fancy.”
“We’ll keep it casual, I promise.” Chris grinned at the thought of spending time alone with Eliza after all these years. “What time should I pick you up?”
“Eight. You’ll have to pick me up at the boutique.”
“That’s fine.” He didn’t know if she would be getting off work around that time, or she just didn’t want him at her house, but it didn’t really matter. “See you then. Good night, Eliza.”
“Night, Chris.” She disconnected the call.
Tucking his phone away, a smiling Chris strolled to the bathroom for a hot shower.
* * *
Saturday night, Eliza stepped out of Ellicott’s at five minutes to eight and found Chris’s car idling at the curb. She waved, walked toward the car.
He jumped out and held open the passenger door for her. “Good evening.”
She raked an appreciative gaze over his body, encased in dark denim jeans and a fitted black T-shirt. “Hi, Chris.” She slipped into the car and buckled up as he shut the door.
“You look nice,” he remarked as he settled in next to her and started the car.
She looked down at her tan slacks and white cap-sleeve blouse. “Thanks. It’s just what I wore to work today. You did say it would be casual.”
“It will be.” He pulled away from the curb.
They stopped off for dinner at the Burger Lounge on Fifth Avenue. It wasn’t far from Ellicott’s, and Eliza loved the food there. She chowed down on the cage-free turkey burger, while Chris enjoyed the classic Lounge burger. They shared a mixed basket of fries and onion rings.
Conversation flowed easily between them, and Eliza almost felt like they’d never been apart. “So, tell me about some of the buildings you’ve designed. Are there any around here that I might know?”
“Sure. But there’s so many of them, it would be easier to just drive you around the city and show them to you.” He popped an onion ring into his mouth.
Her eyebrow lifted. “Oh, really?” Was that his way of asking her out again? They’d only been together for about an hour on this outing.
He nodded. “Yes, really. There are about fifteen buildings in different locations around San Diego that are original Marland designs.” He wiped his mouth with a napkin. “But it’s up to you whether you want the tour.”
Finishing her meal, Eliza tossed a crumpled napkin into the empty basket that had held the fries and onion rings. “I’m stuffed. Now I just want to crawl into bed.”
“You know it’s bad for your digestion to lie down right after you eat.” He stood, cleared away their trash and threw it away. When he returned, he held out his hand to help her up. “Lucky for you, our night isn’t over yet.”
She looked up at him, confused. “We’re going somewhere else?”
“Yes. And I promise you’ll love it.”
She pursed her lips. “All right now, Chris. We had dinner, like you asked. How long are you planning to keep me up tonight?” Too late, she realized the implications of what she’d said.
A wicked smile crossed over his face. “Not much longer. Don’t worry. I’ll have you home by eleven.”
Shaking her head, she let him lead her out of the restaurant and back to the car.
She watched the passing scenery as they drove through the darkened streets. It was around nine thirty, and the vibrant night life in San Diego meant there was still a decent amount of traffic. Everything she saw was familiar; she’d grown up here and had returned home to open the boutique about six months ago. Still, gazing out the window was the best way she could think of to suppress the urge to openly stare at Chris.
He’d always been handsome, but now he was even more so. He’d aged like fine wine, and his success in the architecture field only added to his attractiveness. In the confines of the car, there was nothing to dampen the clean, masculine scent of his cologne. He smelled fantastic, and if she recalled correctly, he wore the same scent now as he had back when they’d dated.
She hazarded a glance his way, but didn’t dare look at his face. Instead, she looked at his hand on the gearshift as he drove. The powerful engine of the car responded to his every command, the sound changing in time with his movements. The vehicle was under his complete control, and Eliza knew that if they didn’t stop soon so she could get some fresh air, she would be, too.
He pulled into the parking lot at the San Diego Zoo, and Eliza’s brow furrowed in confusion. “What are you doing, Chris? The zoo closes at nine.”
“I know it does. For everybody else.” He winked as he cut the engine.
That only confused Eliza more, but when he came around to the passenger side to open her door, she took his hand. The only way to find out what he meant was to follow him, so she did.
An employee opened the locked gates for them and ushered them in. “Good evening, Mr. Marland, Ms. Ellicott.”
“Hi.” Eliza turned her questioning gaze to Chris. “What’s going on?”
He tipped the employee, then started walking toward Front Street. “It turns out that if you make a generous donation to the zoo’s improvement fund, you can have the place all to yourself for a private tour.”
She blinked a few times. “You mean...”
“Yep. There aren’t any other visitors here.”
Amazed, she asked, “What are we supposed to do in an empty zoo?”
He chuckled. “It’s not like the animals and their caregivers went home, you know.”
She rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean.”
He guided her down the footpath through Koalafornia Boardwalk. “I remembered how much you loved the koalas, so I thought we’d spend some time at the koala exhibit.”
She felt the smile stretching her lips as they passed through the carnival-like section of the zoo that led to the koalas. “You remember that? That was ages ago.”
They crossed through Bieler Plaza and into the Outback section where the koala exhibit was located. “Of course I do. Remember when we came here that summer after you came home from freshman year of college?”
She smiled at the memory. “I remember. I was at the height of my koala obsession.” She found the animals adorable, and right now, she thought Chris was pretty cute, too. “You bought me that giant stuffed koala from the gift shop. I still have it...somewhere.”
“You kept it all these years, huh?” He placed a hand over his heart. “I’m touched that you held on to it.”
She couldn’t help laughing at his silliness.
They approached the koala exhibit and were greeted by a uniformed employee who introduced herself with a smile. “I’m Alice, and I’ll be facilitating your experience tonight.”
After greetings were exchanged, they were led behind the exhibit to a small building. Eliza was delighted as she and Chris were treated to a private, up-close look at the twenty or so koalas in the habitat. She watched them nibble eucalyptus leaves, saw them napping in quiet corners of the yard, and even saw a few joeys huddled against their mothers. As they watched the scene, Alice regaled them with many interesting facts about the cute furry creatures.
By the time they left, Eliza felt gleeful. She’d never forget her experience tonight. Turning to Chris as they walked back to his car, she said genuinely, “Thank you for this. It was amazing.”
“I did promise you’d enjoy it, didn’t I?” He reached for her hand.
She let him hold her hand. After what he’d just done for her, he deserved that much. “I can’t believe you’d do all this for me.” The gesture had been incredibly sweet, and far beyond what any of her other boyfriends had ever done for her.
“Why not, Eliza? This is how you deserve to be treated.”
She looked up into his eyes, saw the sincerity there. Dragging her gaze away before she fell under his spell, she faked a yawn. “What time is it?”
He looked at his wristwatch. “After ten.”
“You can just drop me back at Ellicott’s. My car is there.”
Once they were both strapped into their seats, he did as she asked.
Back at the boutique, he walked her to her car. “I had a great time tonight, Eliza. And I’d really like to see you again.”
Her breath caught when she heard his softly spoken words. Her heart pounded in her ears with all the intensity of a Max Roach drum solo. Parts of her were elated, but other parts of her were...unsure. “I don’t know, Chris.”
“I don’t want to pressure you. But I had to let you know how I feel.”
She exhaled slowly. “Tell you what. Let me think about it, and I’ll get back to you.”
He offered a slight smile. “Fair enough. Good night, Eliza.”
“Good night, Chris.”
After she pulled out, she looked in her rearview mirror and saw him idling at the curb for a moment before he hung a U-turn and drove off into the night.
Chapter 4 (#u84027630-8416-5f05-bba3-0ca9fc2863e8)
Chris spent the better part of Saturday night lying awake. In the center of a king-size bed, with an extra-firm mattress, seven-hundred-thread-count sheets and extra-plush pillows, he should have slept peacefully. He’d closed his eyes, shifted positions, willed himself to seek rest. Despite his efforts, thoughts of Eliza kept him up, in more ways than one.
As he lay alone in the darkness, visions of her beautiful face filled his mind. She’d always been lovely, but now she’d fully grown into her beauty. She was savvy, successful and doing what she loved. He knew well the joy of turning one’s passion into a career, and her enjoyment showed through in the way she ran her boutique.
Then, on top of all her wonderful qualities, she’d been patient and helpful with Jojo. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen his daughter get along so well with someone she’d just met. Jojo had used the word cool to describe Eliza, and that was very high praise coming from a teenage girl.
She’s perfect. Or at least, as close to perfect as a man could ever hope for. Fate had brought her into the office a few days ago. Now he wanted her back in his life, for good. He could still see the conflicted expression she’d worn when he asked to see her again. It seemed like she wanted him to, but something was stopping her from giving him a chance. What was holding her back from him? What was she afraid of?
He had no answers to those questions, and before he could decide how to assuage her fears, exhaustion got the better of him.
* * *
Over the next few days, he stayed close to home. Most of his time was spent in the well-appointed office he’d included in the floor plan of his one-of-a-kind home. The house, a supermodern structure built of white marble and impact-resistant glass, sat nestled into a hillside high above the city. The property boasted an underground garage, an infinity pool and panoramic views of the city and the bay below. His office, located on the second floor, had one entire wall made of glass that overlooked the pool.
Chris spent hours at his drafting table, fine-tuning his design for the Museum of Sustainable Art. Based on the museum’s mission statement, the building would be built with as many recycled building materials as structurally possible, while still maintaining an attractive and safe result. The parameters of the job presented a unique challenge, but Chris embraced it. This project gave him a rare opportunity to stretch his creative mind and take his art to a higher plane. He used his straightedge to map out lines and wrote notes in the margins of the drafting paper as he worked.
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.”
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Kianna Alexander
Heaven in his armsChristopher Marland, president of Millionaire Moguls of San Diego, is too busy for a personal life. The moment Eliza Ellicott arrives back in his world, he knows no woman has ever compared to his first love. A broken heart gave Eliza the drive to succeed and she’s opened a new boutique. She’ll gladly help Chris’s teenage daughter, but her heart is closed to him. Can she learn to trust again?
Heaven in his arms
Christopher Marland, president of Millionaire Moguls of San Diego, is too busy for a personal life. The moment Eliza Ellicott arrives back in his world, he knows no woman has ever compared to his first love. A broken heart gave Eliza the drive to succeed and she’s opened a new boutique. She’ll gladly help Chris’s teenage daughter, but her heart is closed to him. Can she learn to trust again?
KIANNA ALEXANDER, like any good Southern belle, wears many hats: loving wife, doting mama, advice-dispensing sister and gabbing girlfriend. She’s a voracious reader, an amateur seamstress and occasional painter in oils. Chocolate, American history, sweet tea and Idris Elba are a few of her favorite things. A native of the Tar Heel state, Kianna still lives there with her husband, two kids and a collection of well-loved vintage ’80s Barbie dolls. You can keep up with Kianna’s releases and appearances by signing up for her mailing list at: www.authorkiannaalexander.com/sign-up (http://www.authorkiannaalexander.com/sign-up).
Also By Kianna Alexander (#u84027630-8416-5f05-bba3-0ca9fc2863e8)
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A Love Like This
A San Diego Romance
Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
A San Diego Romance
Kianna Alexander
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
ISBN: 978-1-474-08478-9
A SAN DIEGO ROMANCE
© 2018 Harlequin Books S.A.
Published in Great Britain 2018
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF
All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.
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www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
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.
Hi there!
I hope you’ll enjoy A San Diego Romance, my contribution to the Millionaire Moguls series. I was uncertain how this would all turn out since I’ve never done a group project quite like this before, but I think it turned out well. And I couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with Yahrah St. John and Reese Ryan. Check out Chris and Eliza’s love story, and let me know your thoughts on Facebook (Facebook.com/kiannawrites (https://www.facebook.com/KiannaWrites/)), Twitter (@kiannawrites (https://twitter.com/kiannawrites?lang=en)) or Instagram (@kiannaalexanderwrites (https://www.instagram.com/KiannaAlexanderWrites/)).
All the best,
Kianna
For all those who love a sailor, soldier, airman, marine or other servicemember. Thank you for lending your loved ones to our nation.
Contents
Cover (#ude99bbef-7bf3-51ad-94e2-07ab9bf56fad)
Back Cover Text (#uf7b414ec-e722-5ea5-a51e-f1b7289c54ba)
About the Author (#uf75e5bb6-ede5-54ca-a1fc-cb5dd0c68992)
Booklist (#u4654b36a-6e99-5260-b88b-760b4e965ac9)
Title Page (#ua6479f2a-3348-54d5-b204-d5132a96bd74)
Copyright (#u00bc0572-9a5c-5cc2-aab0-df625918fb97)
Introduction (#uf0871465-0b98-582f-82f2-6243e7222094)
Dear Reader (#u127750e5-c9a8-5f24-928e-0a09e7310ac1)
Dedication (#ud9d1b8f3-1944-58f2-b8b2-460b50acc128)
Chapter 1 (#u96f35640-5a83-5db1-9aa6-d31b8e8e1d54)
Chapter 2 (#u5545620c-944f-5e64-baba-f11dcb63d0a5)
Chapter 3 (#u2d7c4022-c427-5b2b-9c7a-05eb3aa0f770)
Chapter 4 (#u8206e3a1-2a65-5ac9-a056-b72acb163f95)
Chapter 5 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 6 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 7 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 8 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 9 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 10 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 11 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 12 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 13 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 14 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 15 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 16 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 17 (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 1 (#u84027630-8416-5f05-bba3-0ca9fc2863e8)
Coffee mug in hand, Christopher Marland took a seat on one end of the black leather sofa inside the San Diego office of Prescott George. It was quiet for a Wednesday morning, or maybe it just seemed that way to him. As an architect who’d created designs for buildings all over the world, and a divorced parent of teenage twins, he had a million things on his mind. One of his most important roles, though, was here, as the president of the San Diego chapter of Prescott George, a club of sorts for African American millionaires. And at the moment, the problems plaguing the organization were foremost in his mind.
Vaughn Ellicott, an old friend who served as treasurer of Prescott George, sat on the opposite end of the sofa, drinking from his own mug. “Listen, Chris. We need to talk about what happened at Jordan’s studio.”
Chris felt his face crease into a frown at the mention of the incident. Jordan Jace, a gifted sculptor and fellow member of Prescott George, had recently had one of his sculptures vandalized during a Prescott George party he’d hosted at his gallery. That would be upsetting enough in itself, but there was more to it. “I’m still pissed that he would accuse Jojo.” Chris wasn’t the type of parent to believe his children could do no wrong, but he knew his daughter. “Jojo isn’t a troublemaker.”
“You don’t have to tell me. I know Jojo’s a good kid.”
“I mean, I drop thousands every year for her and Jack to go to one of the best private schools in the city.” Chris ran his free hand over his head. “She makes the honor roll every nine weeks, she does her chores and she never gives me a bit of trouble.”
“Jordan was bugging, Chris. It was probably just the stress of the whole incident that had him talking crazy like that.” Vaughn took another long draw from the mug. “Try to cut him some slack.”
While he understood that Jordan had been upset, Chris still didn’t like the way things had gone down. He felt insulted on his daughter’s behalf. “I know, I know. But I’m just not sure what to do here. I can’t go for him talking about my daughter that way. And at this point, he’s just piling on. There’s already so much bad press out there about us right now.”
Vaughn nodded. “Right. With the break-in here, and now this vandalism thing, we’re looking way more scandalous than I would prefer.”
“You and me both. As chapter president, all this drama reflects badly on me.” Chris sighed, drinking down about half his coffee in one long swig. The way this day was going, he would need the caffeine. “And the timing of all this couldn’t be worse. We finally got the Chapter of the Year nod, we’ve got a gala coming up in less than six weeks and everything seems to be going to the left.”
With a rueful shake of his head, Vaughn asked, “So, what are we going to do about all this?”
“We’ve got to think strategically, then find the underlying cause of this mess before the chapter goes down in flames.”
“Right. Can you think of anybody who might be holding a grudge against us? Either as a chapter, or as an organization as a whole?”
Chris shrugged. “Not off the top of my head.”
Vaughn set his mug aside. “I know it’s a sensitive subject, man, but I have to ask. Do you think Sheila might have been involved in any of this?”
Feeling his frown deepen at the mention of her name, Chris admitted, “It’s possible. I certainly wouldn’t put it past her.” His ex-wife was about as vindictive and petty as a person could be. Even though they saw as little of each other as possible these days, Chris couldn’t cut her out of his life because of their twins, Jack and Jojo. “I know for a fact she enjoys seeing me miserable.”
“She’s a real piece of work, your ex.” Vaughn’s phone vibrated, and he looked at the screen briefly before pocketing it.
“You’re telling me. I never should have married her.” When Chris had met Sheila, he’d been on the heels of a serious heartbreak. She’d slid right in to comfort him, and a few months later, she’d announced her pregnancy. “I mean, I don’t regret my kids. They were really the only good thing to come out of our relationship.”
Vaughn smiled. “They’re amazing kids, Chris.”
“Thanks.” Inwardly, he agreed. Jack and Jojo were the best part of his life. He simply wished he could say the same about the circumstances that brought them into this world. He sighed then, wondering if his dealings with women would ever come without the drama. “I don’t know, man. Maybe I’m just not meant to be coupled up. Seems to me my life goes a lot smoother when I’m on my own.”
“That’s what you think now. But if the right one ever comes along, you’ll change your mind.” Vaughn’s grin broadened.
“You and Miranda are different.” Chris knew Vaughn was talking about his new wife, and he was happy for his friend. What Vaughn didn’t know was that the “right one” had already come and gone. Chris had probably already blown his shot at true happiness.
“If you say so. Hey, what’s going on with that latest design project you were after?”
Chris felt his mood lighten as Vaughn changed the subject. “Oh, you mean the new Museum of Sustainable Art? I won the bid.”
Vaughn moved closer, gave Chris a slap on the back. “You snagged it? Hey, congratulations, man.”
“Thanks, V.”
“So, what’s this museum going to be all about?”
Chris scratched his chin as he recalled the description given to him by the developer. “They plan to showcase modern art and sculpture that was created using only green supplies, tools and methods. Should be a pretty interesting place once it’s open.”
“Sounds like it.” Vaughn stood then and grabbed his mug. “You done? I’m taking mine to the sink.”
Chris handed off his mug and watched as Vaughn strode off, disappearing into the small kitchen to deposit the two cups.
When Vaughn returned, he asked, “When are the final blueprints due for this one?”
“I’ve got a couple of months. They want to break ground in September.”
“I see. Well, I’m sure you’ll live up to your world renown and blow them away with your design.” The loud buzzing of Vaughn’s phone sounded then. He checked the screen, then said, “Excuse me, man. I’ve gotta take this.”
Chris nodded, settling back into his seat while Vaughn stepped around the corner to answer the call. He let his mind wander then, away from the stress of his daily life and back to the beautiful face of the only woman who’d ever really had his heart. He could still picture her clearly, despite the years that had passed since he’d last seen her. He felt the smile tilt his lips at the memory of her soft bronze skin, full lips and expressive brown eyes. She’d brought so much joy into his life, yet somehow, he’d been fool enough to let his fears come between them. He’d walked away from her, driven away by the threats of what would happen to his career if he stayed. To this day, he still regretted that decision.
Vaughn returned then, his face creased with worry. “Something’s going down at Elite, Chris. I gotta go.” Vaughn owned an exclusive surf wear company, and he was as passionate about his business as he was about surfing.
Chris balked. “Is it serious? Does it involve PG?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.”
“What about lunch?”
Vaughn shrugged as he headed for the door. “I’m not sure, but I hope I’ll be back by then. I’ll let you know.” On the heels of his words, he left.
Alone in the office, Chris wondered what was going on at Elite.
He also wondered what Vaughn would think had he known Chris was fantasizing about Vaughn’s baby sister.
* * *
As Eliza Ellicott walked through the glass door, entering the Prescott George office, she glanced around the familiar surroundings. The interior was quiet, and she wondered again what exactly the guys did here. Where’s Vaughn? Knowing her older brother, he’d probably gotten caught up in something and forgotten their plans for the day.
She went down the hall, encountering no one. She knew that since the door was open, somebody had to be there. When she stepped into the main lobby area, her gaze landed on the black leather sofa.
She jumped when she saw Christopher Marland reclining there, reading a newspaper. He wore a dark suit, crisp white shirt and emerald green tie.
He looked up, a smile crossing his handsome face when he saw her. “Eliza. It’s been ages. How are you?”
Seeing him had her so out of sorts, all she could manage was to squeak out a hello.
His smile broadened. “Come on in. What brings you to Prescott George?”
She couldn’t help staring at his dark gorgeousness. The smile highlighted his full lips and chiseled jawline and put a sparkle in his coffee-hued eyes. Realizing she couldn’t continue to stand there like a deer in the high beams, she shook herself free of his spell as best she could. “I...uh... Where’s Vaughn? I was supposed to meet him for lunch.”
His expression changed. “Oh, sorry. You just missed him.”
She sighed. “Crap.”
“He got a call from Elite and rushed over there.” He folded the newspaper and set it aside. “I’m guessing there was some emergency that needed his attention.”
Her stomach rumbled. She’d been at the counter at her boutique, Ellicott’s, for four solid hours, and now her body demanded sustenance. “I guess that means I’m on my own for lunch, then.” She turned, intent on leaving the same way she’d come.
“Wait.” Chris’s deep voice gave her pause.
She turned back his way. “What is it?”
“Listen, why don’t you stay and have lunch with me? I mean, you already drove all the way over here.” He stood then, his height towering over her.
She pulled her fallen purse strap back up on her shoulder and swallowed. Christopher Marland, the man who’d broken her heart fourteen years ago, was inviting her to have lunch with him. Alone. She doubted he even knew how crushed she’d been by his leaving. Logic told her to get the hell out of there as fast as her black pumps would carry her. “I don’t know, Chris.”
He moved closer then, entering her personal bubble. “I ordered from the Lotus Flower, that new Asian fusion sushi place. At the time, I thought Vaughn would be here, so I ordered enough for two.”
“I, well...” She looked away from his penetrating gaze, feeling herself taken in by his charm. He had a way about him, something that seemed to melt her resistance. His scent, clean and masculine, threatened to overwhelm her. Her inner voice reminded her of good sense, while her stomach reminded her of how much she loved sushi.
“I know you’re probably really busy, so you don’t have to stay long. But I’d hate for the food to go to waste.”
Her stomach growled again, louder this time. She looked his way, hoping he hadn’t heard it.
His grin told her he had.
Hunger won out over logic, in more ways than one. She drew a deep breath. “I’ll stay.”
“Great. Food should be here soon.” He gestured to the circular table and four chairs occupying a corner of the room. “Care to sit down?”
She watched him slide out a chair and stand behind it. When she sat down, he pushed her chair up to the table before taking the seat across from her.
“Still a gentleman, I see.” The remark slipped out before she could stop it.
“Always.” He fixed her with a knowing gaze.
The sound of the glass door opening stopped any further chatter. He stood. “Must be the delivery guy. I’ll get it.”
She sat alone, trying to get her mind right. A few moments later, he returned with the plastic bag. The scent of the food made her stomach grumble again, but she was grateful to have something to distract her from Chris’s distinctive aroma.
As he set the large paper bag of food on the table, she pulled out her travel-sized hand sanitizer. After doing her hands, she offered it to him.
“Thanks.” He used it, then passed the bottle back to her and started setting the food out.
At first, they ate in silence, and she devoured three California rolls. Swallowing a bite, she looked up and saw his gaze resting on her face. “Um, sorry. I was pretty hungry.”
He shrugged. “No biggie. Tell me, how are things at Ellicott’s?”
That brought a smile to her face. “Great. I’ve recently started to carry some clothes and accessories by a new designer. Her name is Bea Phillips, and her items are selling as soon as I can get them in.”
Taking a swig from his bottled water, he asked, “So, what kinds of things does she design?”
“Mainly dresses, but she also makes jewelry and handbags.” She forked up some of her jasmine rice.
“I’m glad to hear business is booming. Back in the day, you would always talk about owning your own boutique.” He tucked his empty plastic tray back into the paper bag. “I knew you’d do it one day.”
“I’m surprised you remember the things we talked about back then,” she said absently. “In a lot of ways, that all seems like ancient history.” Or at least that’s what she told herself. She’d been heartbroken when they parted ways, but he didn’t know that, and she intended to keep it that way. Besides, she’d done well for herself, both personally and professionally. She’d managed to get the store established and off the ground. And rather than close herself off to romantic relationships, she’d had a string of steady boyfriends, all from prominent social circles. No one could say she’d gone into hiding after Chris left.
“You’d be surprised by all the things I remember.” He smiled as he tipped the water bottle and drained the remaining contents.
Hearing what he’d said, and thinking of the implications of that, made her quickly change the subject. “I don’t know if Vaughn talks about our sisters much, but they’re both married with kids now.”
He nodded. “I know. Vaughn talks about Brianne and Emily on occasion. I know he loves being an uncle.”
She thought back to the conversations they’d had years ago about her dreams. What he didn’t know was how she’d dreamed of being a mother and wife in addition to running her store. Back then, she’d thought she could have it all. Reality had shown her something different. “I’m the only girl in the family to strike out on her own to conquer the business world.”
“Nothing wrong with that, especially when you’re successful at what you do.” He gestured to her near-empty tray. “Are you done?”
She nodded, tucking her trash into the paper bag.
He left the table to throw all the garbage away, then returned to his seat across from her. Stretching, he said, “Yeah. Growing up an only child made me want a big family of my own. Things didn’t exactly go as planned, but I have Jack and Jojo now, and I couldn’t be more grateful for them.”
She felt her heart constrict in her chest at his words. His marriage to his ex-wife had come right on the heels of their breakup, effectively dashing her hopes of reconciliation between them. And now, despite the utter failure of the marriage, he’d still gotten one thing she wanted just as much as she wanted success in business: children. Still, she hid her feelings behind a practiced smile. “How are the kids? They’re teenagers now, aren’t they? I hear that’s an adventure.”
“Yeah, they’re thirteen now. They’re a handful, for sure. I get them every other weekend.”
“What are kids really like at this age?”
“They’re still kids, but they think of themselves as adults, so that’s hard to navigate.” He straightened in his chair. “There are times when I feel torn between work and doing things with them, and sometimes they have their own plans and don’t want to be stuck with me.” He shrugged. “I just do my best, take it one day at a time. They know I love them, and that’s the most important thing.”
She nodded, keeping the smile plastered on her face. Inside, she mused that if she and Chris had gotten married, their children would be about Jack and Jojo’s age. She didn’t dare open her mouth, lest her thoughts become words.
He smiled again then. “I’m really glad you came by, Eliza. It’s so good to see you again.”
She averted her eyes from his arresting handsomeness, only made more appealing by his expression. Was he flirting with her? Her feminine instincts told her he was. Why would he do that now, after all these years apart?
The man he used to be was long gone, as was the young, idealistic girl she’d once been. What she saw before her now was a divorced workaholic who’d walked away from her when he had the chance to make things official.
As far as she was concerned, there was nothing left for her and Chris.
Chapter 2 (#u84027630-8416-5f05-bba3-0ca9fc2863e8)
Chris was enjoying spending time with Eliza. It had been ages since he’d seen her, and having her grace him with her beautiful presence again lit the dark corners of his heart. She seemed a little guarded, and he supposed he understood that, after the abrupt ending of their relationship. Still, he couldn’t deny the feelings this woman elicited in him. He’d thought of her often over the years, and had always known he was still attracted to her. Being in the same room with her now showed him just how strong his feelings still were.
She’s even more beautiful than I remember. While they spoke, he looked over her glossy dark hair, her pink lipstick and the dark fringe of lashes framing her sparkling eyes. Even the way she sat across from him, with one long, bare leg crossed demurely over the other, enthralled him.
“I mean, they’re teenagers,” he continued. “Sometimes I don’t understand a word they’re saying. But at least I’m never bored.”
She stood then, her movement abrupt. “I think I’ve stayed too long.” As she spoke, she smoothed her palms over the formfitting sheath she wore, as if brushing away imaginary wrinkles.
Chris stood, too, caught off guard by her action. Moments ago, they’d been chatting about his twins, and she’d been smiling and nodding. Now, her closed-off expression and tense stance gave him pause. “You don’t have to rush off, Eliza. There’s not too much going on here today.”
She slipped her purse strap over her shoulder. “It’s just that I really have to get back to the boutique. I’ve got a million things to do this afternoon.”
He wanted to convince her to stay, but how could he? She wasn’t the starry-eyed teenager who’d stolen his heart anymore; she was a successful businesswoman with responsibilities. Even though the woman she’d become appealed to him in every way, he knew he had no right to hold her there. “I understand. I won’t keep you, if you’ve got...” His sentence was cut off by the ringing of his cell phone. He slipped it from his pocket, glanced at it. “I have to take this. Excuse me, Eliza.”
“I’ve got to go, Chris.” She started walking toward the hallway.
“Just give me a few moments, please. I want to at least see you out, okay?”
She stopped, turned his way. “All right.”
He answered his phone then. “Jojo? How are you, sweetheart?”
“I’m okay, I guess.”
Sensing the angst in her words, he asked, “What do you need, Jojo?”
“Well, there’s this dance coming up at school. Mom says I can go, if you say it’s okay. So, can I go?”
The parts of him that still saw her as a little girl warred with the reality of her actual age. Finally, he acquiesced. “Sure. Who are you going with?” Relief coursed through him as she named two of her female friends.
“There’s one more thing. I really need a dress.”
“A dress?” Chris looked at Eliza. She was leaning against the wall between the kitchen and the hallway. “Jojo, I may be able to help you with that.” Covering the microphone, he gestured to her. “Eliza, can you come here for a second?”
She walked over, a curious expression on her face. “What is it?”
“I know you have to go, but my daughter’s on the phone. She needs a dress for a school dance. Can you help us out?”
“Maybe. What size does she wear?”
He scratched his head. “I don’t know. I could ask her...”
Eliza’s lips tilted in a soft smile. “She’s thirteen, right? I remember those days well. Why don’t you just bring her to the shop Friday?” She glanced at her gold watch. “I really do have to go.”
“What time should I bring her?” he asked as Eliza strode away.
“Around six,” she answered as she rounded the corner to the hallway.
A few moments later, Chris heard the door to the office open, then close as she walked out. Uncovering the mic, he spoke to his daughter. “Good news. Friday, I’ll take you shopping for a dress.”
Jojo exhaled. “Thanks, Dad.” Then she paused. “Wait. You’re not going to take me to the little girl’s section of Macy’s again, are you?”
He chuckled at the memory of how their last shopping trip had panned out. “No, no. I’m taking you to a boutique in Gaslamp. Don’t worry, you’ll love it.”
“Sounds great. When?”
“I’ll pick you up around five Friday evening. We’ll grab dinner and head over after that.”
Her voice took on the light, happy tone of a girl pleased with her father. “You’re the best, Dad. Gotta go. Love you.”
He smiled, both at her words and at knowing she was excited. “I love you, too.”
After he disconnected the call, he looked around the quiet office. He and Vaughn had been the only members in the building today, and now that Eliza had gone, he was alone save for the security guard patrolling the place. In truth, he needed this time alone to think. The problems at Prescott George were pressing, and he needed the space and silence to determine the best course of action. As chapter president, the responsibility rested on his shoulders.
Chris knew full well what an honor it was for it to be chosen for the Chapter of the Year award. The San Diego chapter members were a younger set compared with the old guard of the original members’ descendants in some of the other chapters. Prescott George had been around for a long time, and not everyone embraced the necessary changes that came with changing times. Still, if the national organization had seen fit to recognize his chapter, then Chris would make damn sure that San Diego PG lived up to those lofty expectations.
Now, though, he had something else on his mind; an almost welcome distraction. He’d been shocked and amazed to see Eliza Ellicott stroll into the office, looking every bit like his dream come true. Here he was, at the top of his game in the architecture field, with his designs having been used for structures all around the world. Yet when she’d walked in, he’d felt...outdone, as if she were way out of his league. He could have spent all day talking to her, watching her smile light the room. While he didn’t like that she’d been inconvenienced by her brother, he was glad fate had decided to let him enjoy her company again.
He thought of Vaughn then and wondered what was going on at Elite. Lunch had long since ended, and Vaughn hadn’t reached out yet. Chris pulled out his phone again, intent on calling his friend before he continued strategizing his plans for the chapter.
After all, if it was something serious, he needed to know so he could lend a hand. He could only hope whatever was going down at Elite wasn’t tied to Prescott George. Their chapter had enough problems already.
* * *
Ellicott’s did brisk business on the weekends, and Friday evening was no exception. Eliza and her two clerks were all working, with Eliza bagging purchases and the clerks running the registers.
As Eliza passed one of her signature glossy silver paper bags filled with items to a customer, she heard the bell ring, signaling someone entering the shop. After the customer was taken care of, she glanced toward the door and saw Chris walking in her direction.
Eliza couldn’t help admiring him as he walked. Dressed in a dark blue polo shirt, matching sneakers and a pair of khaki shorts that revealed his muscled calves, he looked ready to head down to the marina for a day on the bay.
At his side was a pretty young lady in ripped white jeans, a Candy Crush T-shirt and sneakers. She was tall for her age; the top of her head lined up with Chris’s shoulder. Her dark brown hair, styled in box braids, hung just past her collarbone. Much of her face was concealed by the round frames of a very large pair of white-rimmed sunglasses.
The pair walked up to the counter, and Chris smiled as he made eye contact with her. “Hi, Eliza. Thanks for doing this for me.”
She swallowed a lump in her throat. The combination of his smile and his tone made her awareness of him rise. “No problem.” She reached across the counter and stuck out her hand to the young lady. “You must be Jojo. I’m Eliza, nice to meet you.”
“Yes. Hi.” Jojo removed her sunglasses.
Eliza’s breath caught when she saw Chris’s eyes looking back at her. To say Jojo resembled Chris would be an understatement. “Wow. You look an awful lot like your father.”
Jojo grinned. “Thanks, I think.” Shaking hands with Eliza, she asked, “Dad told me to call you Ms. Ellicott. Can I call you by your first name?”
Eliza chuckled. “I’m fine with you using my first name, but I’ll defer to your father.”
Chris shrugged. “I don’t mind if you don’t.”
“You can call me Eliza, then.” She walked around the counter and stood between Chris and Jojo. “So, what kind of dress do you have in mind, Jojo?”
Jojo’s expression showed her uncertainty. “I’m not really sure. It’s my first real dance.”
Eliza gave Chris a playful jab with her elbow. “You ready for this, Dad?”
Half smiling, he shook his head. “Don’t ask. Let’s just say I’m going along with it.”
“Well, Jojo, if you trust me, I’ve got some ideas.” She stood back, getting another look at her client. “With your height and figure, you’ll have a lot of options.
She blushed. “Really?”
Eliza nodded. “Definitely. As a matter of fact, I’ve got some new dresses that just came in from a local designer that I think would be perfect for you.”
Jojo’s eyes widened. “New designer dresses?”
“Yep.” Eliza reached out and linked arms with Jojo. “Come with me. I’ll show you.” She led her over to the right side of the store, where new merchandise was on display. “We can narrow it down if you tell me your favorite color.”
Chris followed them, observing quietly.
Jojo, her eyes still wide, perused the racks of dresses in front of her. “I really like orange. Do you have anything in that color?”
Eliza tapped her chin for a moment, mentally going through the latest shipment. Then she snapped her fingers. “Yes.” She moved over two racks from where Jojo and Chris stood and searched through the drawers holding merchandise she didn’t have room to display on the racks or mannequins. When she found the dress she was looking for, she unfolded it and held it up. “What do you think?”
Jojo gasped. “OMG. It’s gorgeous.”
“When you said you liked orange, I thought you’d like this one.” Eliza admired the sleeveless, calf-length dress. The V-neck line was subtle and adorned with crystals, as was the flounce at the hem. “It’s so new it hasn’t even been on display yet.”
“Wow.” Jojo took the dress from Eliza. Looking to Chris, she asked, “Can I try it on, Dad?”
“Sure.” Chris smiled at his daughter. “Is this the only one you want to try on?”
Jojo looked back at Eliza. “Can I look through the racks?”
“Go ahead.” Eliza watched as Jojo searched through the displays.
Jojo came back with two dresses. One was a soft shade of yellow and very low-cut in the front. The other, a coral minidress, couldn’t possibly hit longer than midthigh on someone her height.
Chris began shaking his head almost immediately. “No way, young lady.”
Jojo frowned. “Geez, Dad.” She turned to Eliza, hoping for a reprieve. “What do you think?”
Eliza tapped her chin with her forefinger. She agreed with Chris: these two dresses were far too revealing for someone Jojo’s age. Seeking to steer her in a better direction, she said, “I can see why you like them, but let’s try these instead.”
Her frown softening a bit, Jojo asked, “You have more dresses in mind for me?”
“Just a couple.” Eliza put back the dresses Jojo had chosen and noted the relief on Chris’s face. Then she moved through the store, pulling the other two dresses she thought might suit Jojo’s age and tastes, and handed them over. “Come on, I’ll set you up in a room.”
Once Jojo was inside one of the five dressing rooms on the back wall of the store, Eliza leaned against the edge of the counter, awaiting the fashion show to come.
Chris, standing next to her, said, “You’ve got a gift. I can see you’re very good at what you do here.”
“I appreciate that.” Eliza smiled his way. His compliment flattered her, probably more than it should have. Of course, it had always been that way. He’d been skilled at sweet-talking her back in the day, and he hadn’t lost his touch.
“I’m amazed at how fast you built a rapport with California’s most fickle teenage girl. Beyond that, you only chose dresses for her that were age appropriate, and she actually seemed to like them.” Chris shook his head, his expression conveying his amazement. “When I try to pick out things for her, I just get the pouty face.”
Eliza laughed. “Like I said, I remember what it was like to be her age. It’s an awkward time, when all a girl wants is to be cool and fit in.” It wasn’t until Eliza was in her midtwenties that she truly understood the value of individualism, and embraced it.
Chris walked closer to her, entering her personal bubble the same way he had at Prescott George. “Well, you have my undying respect and gratitude.”
“Still a smooth talker, I see.” She turned toward him, her back against the edge of the counter.
“It’s the truth.” He took a step closer to her. “These aren’t empty words to gas you up. I really feel that way.”
Their gazes met and held, and Eliza found herself unable to turn away. How could he still have such a hold on her, after all this time? It seemed she’d done the right thing by avoiding him over the last several years.
They stood there that way, searching each other’s eyes, for several long moments.
Jojo’s voice broke into Eliza’s thoughts.
“How do I look?”
Eliza, grateful for the distraction, drew a breath.
“We’ll talk more later.” Chris said the words for her ears only.
Chapter 3 (#u84027630-8416-5f05-bba3-0ca9fc2863e8)
Chris’s eyes lingered on Eliza’s face a moment longer, then he directed his attention to his daughter.
Chris swung his gaze toward Jojo, who’d emerged from the dressing room in a soft orange A-line dress with a taffeta skirt.
“It’s gorgeous.” Eliza smiled in her direction. “Turn around so we can see it all.”
The dress Jojo wore now wasn’t the first one Eliza had handed her, but she did look beautiful in it. “I love it, sweetie. Very nice.”
Eliza chimed in again. “What do you think of it, Jojo?”
Regarding her reflection in the mirrors in the corner, Jojo shrugged. “It’s really pretty, but I don’t know if it’s the one I want.”
Walking over to her, Eliza patted her on the shoulder. “That’s fine. Go try on the others, then you can make your choice.”
Jojo nodded, then disappeared back into the dressing room.
Anticipating this might take a while, Chris sat down on one of the three upholstered ottomans near the dressing room doors. He let his gaze sweep over the interior of Eliza’s boutique. From the front door, he’d seen a lot of it, but from his current vantage point, he could see it all. The soft gray walls and carpet seemed to disappear behind her colorful assortment of clothing, jewelry and accessories. The layout of the store left plenty of space for customers to walk between the mannequins, racks and displays, and there was even a small conversation area with a sofa, two chairs and a coffee table, situated on the opposite side of the counter from the dressing rooms. Though he didn’t know much about women’s fashion, he could appreciate the work Eliza must have put into the design and setup of her store. She’d taken a space that, from an architectural perspective, was pretty basic, and transformed it into something welcoming and aesthetically pleasing.
He saw her talking to one of her staff members, and he could feel the smile tilting his lips. She probably thought the long, silent moment they’d spent before Jojo had come out to model the dress could be forgotten or tossed aside. He knew better. Though no words had been exchanged, the unspoken desire flowing between them had been obvious. He wouldn’t press her about it now, because he’d come here for his daughter. Eventually, though, they were going to discuss what was happening between them.
Jojo came out then in the bedazzled orange dress Eliza had first chosen for her. Chris couldn’t help smiling when he saw his daughter in the dress. It was tasteful, pretty and perfectly suited to her.
Grinning, Jojo came to stand by the mirrors. “Wow. This is it.”
“I agree.” Chris watched her do a slow turn, amazed at how grown-up his little girl suddenly looked.
Eliza came over then and began applauding as soon as she saw Jojo. “Oh, honey. You should get this one. It’s perfect on you.”
Jojo’s eyes sparkled as she looked at her reflection from various angles. “Okay, Dad. This is the one I want.”
“Great. Let’s box it up.” Chris stood. He loved spending time with his daughter, and with Eliza, but he didn’t really want to spend his entire Friday night hanging out in a ladies’ clothing store.
“Wait.” Jojo walked away from the mirrors and grabbed Eliza’s arms. “Now I need accessories. Can you help me find shoes, jewelry and maybe a bag?”
“Sure thing.” Eliza glanced at Chris. “Give us a few minutes more, okay?”
Sitting back down, Chris nodded. “I’ll be here.”
He watched the pair search through the accessories displays on the front left side of the store and the shoe section next to them. He could hear some of their conversation about what was currently “in” right now, and their chatter about shoes, necklaces and handbags threatened to put him to sleep. Still, he could see the rapport growing between Eliza and Jojo, and from where he sat, his daughter even seemed impressed with his former sweetheart. Moody and unpredictable as Jojo could be, impressing her was no small feat.
When Jojo finally piled her things up on the counter for Eliza to ring up, Chris marveled at the size of the pile. “Do you really need all of this, Jojo?”
“Well, Dad, I got the dress for the dance, plus an extra one, just in case.” Jojo picked up the items one by one as she explained. “Then I needed shoes, earrings, a necklace, a bracelet, this cute little bag...”
Chris put his hand up. “Okay, okay.” He reached for his wallet as a smiling Eliza started tallying the bill.
Ten minutes and a few hundred dollars later, Eliza handed a metallic silver bag over the counter to Jojo. “Here you go, honey. Have fun at the dance.”
Chris turned to leave, but Jojo hesitated.
“Can I have a minute, Dad?”
“Sure. I’ll wait by the door.” He walked away, taking up a post by the exit. From where he stood, he could hear them talking.
“I’d really like to be able to call you, if you don’t mind.” Jojo leaned over the counter. “That way I can find out when new stuff comes in, and get tips from you on fashion and stuff.”
“I don’t mind at all.” A smiling Eliza took one of the store’s business cards off the stack by the register and jotted something on the back. Passing it to Jojo, she winked. “Here’s my number.”
“Thanks. See you later.” Jojo tucked the card into her hip pocket and walked toward where Chris stood waiting at the door.
As they stepped out into the cool evening air, Chris commented, “You really like Eliza, huh?”
“She seems cool.” Jojo’s tone was nonchalant. She waited for Chris to open the passenger-side door of his midsize sedan, then climbed in.
He shut his daughter in, then climbed into the driver’s seat. While buckling up he asked, “Are you actually going to call her?”
Jojo chuckled. “I am. I wanna get the new stuff before everybody else does.” She squirmed a bit and reached into her pocket. Handing him the card, she said, “So, be sure to return this to me after you call her.”
Chris felt his eyes widen. “What?”
Jojo shook her head. “Come on, Dad. You’re crushing on her. Anybody can see that.”
“You’re very perceptive.”
“I know. That’s why I knew you’d need my help.”
Chris shook his head. Starting his car, he marveled at his daughter. “You’re amazing. Thanks, Jojo.”
“No problem, Dad. You can pay me back in new clothes.”
A laughing Chris backed out of the parking spot and pulled out into the road.
* * *
Later that night, Chris pulled the Ellicott’s business card out and punched the number into his phone.
“Hello?” Eliza’s voice filled his ear as she answered the call.
“Hi, Eliza. It’s me, Chris.”
“Chris?” The surprise in her voice was soon replaced with acceptance. “Got my number from Jojo, right?”
He chuckled. “Yeah, she helped me out.”
Eliza cleared her throat. “What can I do for you, Chris?”
He had many answers for that question, but he went with the most appropriate one. “I’m just calling to thank you for helping me out with Jojo today.”
“It’s no problem. She’s a sweet kid, and I was happy to help.”
“She’s pretty hard to please these days, but bringing her to Ellicott’s got me some major brownie points with her. I really appreciate it.”
Eliza laughed, the sound soft and musical. “Like I said, no problem. Actually, you already thanked me, by spending all that money in my store. I’d say we’re even.”
“Still, I’d like to do something for you. Why don’t you let me take you to dinner tomorrow night?”
She hesitated for a long moment. “I don’t know, Chris.”
“It’s just dinner. You gotta eat, right?”
She exhaled in his ear, then gave in. “Okay, Chris. I’ll go out with you, but it can’t be anyplace too fancy.”
“We’ll keep it casual, I promise.” Chris grinned at the thought of spending time alone with Eliza after all these years. “What time should I pick you up?”
“Eight. You’ll have to pick me up at the boutique.”
“That’s fine.” He didn’t know if she would be getting off work around that time, or she just didn’t want him at her house, but it didn’t really matter. “See you then. Good night, Eliza.”
“Night, Chris.” She disconnected the call.
Tucking his phone away, a smiling Chris strolled to the bathroom for a hot shower.
* * *
Saturday night, Eliza stepped out of Ellicott’s at five minutes to eight and found Chris’s car idling at the curb. She waved, walked toward the car.
He jumped out and held open the passenger door for her. “Good evening.”
She raked an appreciative gaze over his body, encased in dark denim jeans and a fitted black T-shirt. “Hi, Chris.” She slipped into the car and buckled up as he shut the door.
“You look nice,” he remarked as he settled in next to her and started the car.
She looked down at her tan slacks and white cap-sleeve blouse. “Thanks. It’s just what I wore to work today. You did say it would be casual.”
“It will be.” He pulled away from the curb.
They stopped off for dinner at the Burger Lounge on Fifth Avenue. It wasn’t far from Ellicott’s, and Eliza loved the food there. She chowed down on the cage-free turkey burger, while Chris enjoyed the classic Lounge burger. They shared a mixed basket of fries and onion rings.
Conversation flowed easily between them, and Eliza almost felt like they’d never been apart. “So, tell me about some of the buildings you’ve designed. Are there any around here that I might know?”
“Sure. But there’s so many of them, it would be easier to just drive you around the city and show them to you.” He popped an onion ring into his mouth.
Her eyebrow lifted. “Oh, really?” Was that his way of asking her out again? They’d only been together for about an hour on this outing.
He nodded. “Yes, really. There are about fifteen buildings in different locations around San Diego that are original Marland designs.” He wiped his mouth with a napkin. “But it’s up to you whether you want the tour.”
Finishing her meal, Eliza tossed a crumpled napkin into the empty basket that had held the fries and onion rings. “I’m stuffed. Now I just want to crawl into bed.”
“You know it’s bad for your digestion to lie down right after you eat.” He stood, cleared away their trash and threw it away. When he returned, he held out his hand to help her up. “Lucky for you, our night isn’t over yet.”
She looked up at him, confused. “We’re going somewhere else?”
“Yes. And I promise you’ll love it.”
She pursed her lips. “All right now, Chris. We had dinner, like you asked. How long are you planning to keep me up tonight?” Too late, she realized the implications of what she’d said.
A wicked smile crossed over his face. “Not much longer. Don’t worry. I’ll have you home by eleven.”
Shaking her head, she let him lead her out of the restaurant and back to the car.
She watched the passing scenery as they drove through the darkened streets. It was around nine thirty, and the vibrant night life in San Diego meant there was still a decent amount of traffic. Everything she saw was familiar; she’d grown up here and had returned home to open the boutique about six months ago. Still, gazing out the window was the best way she could think of to suppress the urge to openly stare at Chris.
He’d always been handsome, but now he was even more so. He’d aged like fine wine, and his success in the architecture field only added to his attractiveness. In the confines of the car, there was nothing to dampen the clean, masculine scent of his cologne. He smelled fantastic, and if she recalled correctly, he wore the same scent now as he had back when they’d dated.
She hazarded a glance his way, but didn’t dare look at his face. Instead, she looked at his hand on the gearshift as he drove. The powerful engine of the car responded to his every command, the sound changing in time with his movements. The vehicle was under his complete control, and Eliza knew that if they didn’t stop soon so she could get some fresh air, she would be, too.
He pulled into the parking lot at the San Diego Zoo, and Eliza’s brow furrowed in confusion. “What are you doing, Chris? The zoo closes at nine.”
“I know it does. For everybody else.” He winked as he cut the engine.
That only confused Eliza more, but when he came around to the passenger side to open her door, she took his hand. The only way to find out what he meant was to follow him, so she did.
An employee opened the locked gates for them and ushered them in. “Good evening, Mr. Marland, Ms. Ellicott.”
“Hi.” Eliza turned her questioning gaze to Chris. “What’s going on?”
He tipped the employee, then started walking toward Front Street. “It turns out that if you make a generous donation to the zoo’s improvement fund, you can have the place all to yourself for a private tour.”
She blinked a few times. “You mean...”
“Yep. There aren’t any other visitors here.”
Amazed, she asked, “What are we supposed to do in an empty zoo?”
He chuckled. “It’s not like the animals and their caregivers went home, you know.”
She rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean.”
He guided her down the footpath through Koalafornia Boardwalk. “I remembered how much you loved the koalas, so I thought we’d spend some time at the koala exhibit.”
She felt the smile stretching her lips as they passed through the carnival-like section of the zoo that led to the koalas. “You remember that? That was ages ago.”
They crossed through Bieler Plaza and into the Outback section where the koala exhibit was located. “Of course I do. Remember when we came here that summer after you came home from freshman year of college?”
She smiled at the memory. “I remember. I was at the height of my koala obsession.” She found the animals adorable, and right now, she thought Chris was pretty cute, too. “You bought me that giant stuffed koala from the gift shop. I still have it...somewhere.”
“You kept it all these years, huh?” He placed a hand over his heart. “I’m touched that you held on to it.”
She couldn’t help laughing at his silliness.
They approached the koala exhibit and were greeted by a uniformed employee who introduced herself with a smile. “I’m Alice, and I’ll be facilitating your experience tonight.”
After greetings were exchanged, they were led behind the exhibit to a small building. Eliza was delighted as she and Chris were treated to a private, up-close look at the twenty or so koalas in the habitat. She watched them nibble eucalyptus leaves, saw them napping in quiet corners of the yard, and even saw a few joeys huddled against their mothers. As they watched the scene, Alice regaled them with many interesting facts about the cute furry creatures.
By the time they left, Eliza felt gleeful. She’d never forget her experience tonight. Turning to Chris as they walked back to his car, she said genuinely, “Thank you for this. It was amazing.”
“I did promise you’d enjoy it, didn’t I?” He reached for her hand.
She let him hold her hand. After what he’d just done for her, he deserved that much. “I can’t believe you’d do all this for me.” The gesture had been incredibly sweet, and far beyond what any of her other boyfriends had ever done for her.
“Why not, Eliza? This is how you deserve to be treated.”
She looked up into his eyes, saw the sincerity there. Dragging her gaze away before she fell under his spell, she faked a yawn. “What time is it?”
He looked at his wristwatch. “After ten.”
“You can just drop me back at Ellicott’s. My car is there.”
Once they were both strapped into their seats, he did as she asked.
Back at the boutique, he walked her to her car. “I had a great time tonight, Eliza. And I’d really like to see you again.”
Her breath caught when she heard his softly spoken words. Her heart pounded in her ears with all the intensity of a Max Roach drum solo. Parts of her were elated, but other parts of her were...unsure. “I don’t know, Chris.”
“I don’t want to pressure you. But I had to let you know how I feel.”
She exhaled slowly. “Tell you what. Let me think about it, and I’ll get back to you.”
He offered a slight smile. “Fair enough. Good night, Eliza.”
“Good night, Chris.”
After she pulled out, she looked in her rearview mirror and saw him idling at the curb for a moment before he hung a U-turn and drove off into the night.
Chapter 4 (#u84027630-8416-5f05-bba3-0ca9fc2863e8)
Chris spent the better part of Saturday night lying awake. In the center of a king-size bed, with an extra-firm mattress, seven-hundred-thread-count sheets and extra-plush pillows, he should have slept peacefully. He’d closed his eyes, shifted positions, willed himself to seek rest. Despite his efforts, thoughts of Eliza kept him up, in more ways than one.
As he lay alone in the darkness, visions of her beautiful face filled his mind. She’d always been lovely, but now she’d fully grown into her beauty. She was savvy, successful and doing what she loved. He knew well the joy of turning one’s passion into a career, and her enjoyment showed through in the way she ran her boutique.
Then, on top of all her wonderful qualities, she’d been patient and helpful with Jojo. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen his daughter get along so well with someone she’d just met. Jojo had used the word cool to describe Eliza, and that was very high praise coming from a teenage girl.
She’s perfect. Or at least, as close to perfect as a man could ever hope for. Fate had brought her into the office a few days ago. Now he wanted her back in his life, for good. He could still see the conflicted expression she’d worn when he asked to see her again. It seemed like she wanted him to, but something was stopping her from giving him a chance. What was holding her back from him? What was she afraid of?
He had no answers to those questions, and before he could decide how to assuage her fears, exhaustion got the better of him.
* * *
Over the next few days, he stayed close to home. Most of his time was spent in the well-appointed office he’d included in the floor plan of his one-of-a-kind home. The house, a supermodern structure built of white marble and impact-resistant glass, sat nestled into a hillside high above the city. The property boasted an underground garage, an infinity pool and panoramic views of the city and the bay below. His office, located on the second floor, had one entire wall made of glass that overlooked the pool.
Chris spent hours at his drafting table, fine-tuning his design for the Museum of Sustainable Art. Based on the museum’s mission statement, the building would be built with as many recycled building materials as structurally possible, while still maintaining an attractive and safe result. The parameters of the job presented a unique challenge, but Chris embraced it. This project gave him a rare opportunity to stretch his creative mind and take his art to a higher plane. He used his straightedge to map out lines and wrote notes in the margins of the drafting paper as he worked.
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.”
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