Chapter 22
Marissa had no business being in Home Goods, but this was her favorite store. She could lose her entire paycheck here if she wasn’t careful. She always spent more than she intended and almost always grabbed one of the trinkets lining the shelves on the way to the registers, whether chips or a mug with a cute saying or another candle she didn’t need.
Mainly, though, she liked buying items for her future house. The closet in the living room was stuffed with bags and boxes of items she’d purchased over the years in preparation to decorate the home she’d buy later this year.
“What do you think of this?” Lark held up a silver platter.
“Nice, but I could almost swear you already have one of those,” Marissa said.
“I do, but mine is smaller.” She placed the dish back on the shelf. “I don’t know why I’m shopping. You’re the one who’s looking for stuff. You’re such a bad influence.”
Marissa laughed. “Me? You’re the one who wanted to hang out today. I only suggested we stop here before we get something to eat.”
“Mhmm. Like I said, a bad influence.”
Marissa peered into her basket, which contained a frying pan that could go from the stovetop to the oven, a comforter set, and new curtains for the windows in her bedroom. “I should buy something for Theo.”
“Like what?” Lark asked absentmindedly, turning over a white casserole dish in her hand.
“I don’t know.”
Her friend glanced at her. “We’re at Home Goods, not Walmart. Your son doesn’t need anything from here. You can’t replace his bed sheets, because if they’re not Spiderman, he won’t be happy.”
“You’re right, and I can hear him now. ‘But Mommy, that’s not Spiderman.’ That’s all that matters in his world.” Laughing, she shook her head and steered the cart toward the checkout.
She got in line behind a man clutching three decorative pillows.
“Guess what?” Lark whispered.
“What?”
“I met someone.”
Marissa slapped her friend’s arm. “Have you been holding out on me?”
Lark laughed. “Not really. We weren’t serious at first, but I’m starting to really like this guy. I guess I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to jinx the relationship.”
“How long have you been seeing him?” Marissa asked.
“Three weeks now, and he wants us to take a weekend trip together, to Mobile for a little fun at the beach.”
“Are you going?”
Lark shrugged, edging forward when the line moved. “I don’t know. I’m thinking about going, but I’m wondering if a trip together is too soon.” She let out a heavy sigh.
“Go with your gut. Although you’re much more adventurous than I am.”
“You used to be down for whatever at one time too. If a man asked you to take a trip with him for the weekend, would you go? If you’d only known him a few weeks?”
“Honestly? I wouldn’t even if I’d known him longer than a few weeks.”
“Why not?” Lark sounded surprised.
Marissa paused, wondering if she should divulge Bruno’s offer. “I’m about to tell you something, and you can’t tell a soul.”
“Who am I going to tell? Spill it.” Lark leaned closer.
“Remember that client—the chef who I’m trying to find a wife for?”
“Oh yeah, the hot Hispanic guy?” Her eyes brightened.
“Yes. Anyway, he um… he invited me to attend the James Beard Awards with him in L.A. As a platonic guest.”
“What!” Lark shrieked.
The man holding the pillows turned around to look at them.
“Excuse us,” Marissa said.
Lark flashed a smile and then returned her attention to Marissa. “What!” she repeated in a whisper. “You’re the one who’s been holding out.”
“I said no, of course.”
“Why?” Her friend sounded disappointed.
“Because he’s a client. Coincidentally, the awards are taking place the same weekend Chet is taking Theo to Disney World. I’ll be home alone, but I’ll have plenty to do, and without Theo underfoot, I could work on projects I’ve been putting off. I need to reorganize my closet, for one.”
“Wait, wait, time out.” Lark did the time out sign. “You got invited to L.A., but you’d rather stay home and reorganize your closet?”
Marissa wrinkled her nose. “When you put it that way, staying home sounds ridiculous.”
“Because it is. Do you have to pay for your ticket?”
She shook her head. “He’s chartering a plane.”
Lark’s mouth fell open. “Do you have to pay for your hotel room?”
Marissa shook her head again. “He has a house in L.A., and we’re going to stay there. I’ll have my own room.”
Lark cocked her head to the side and squinted. “Let me get this straight, a gorgeous billionaire chef offered you an all-expenses paid trip to L.A. and you turned him down because…?”
“A few minutes ago you said you were hesitant to go on a weekend trip with a man you’re dating,” Marissa reminded her friend with a cocked eyebrow.
“Because we’ve only known each other a few weeks. I’m not sure if I know him well enough yet. This is your client. You’ve known him for a couple of months, and the background check came back fine, or you wouldn’t be working with him. This man invited you to attend an awards ceremony. I don’t know much about the James Beard Awards, but I know they’re prestigious. You should go.” She bumped Marissa with her elbow.
Marissa pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. “I don’t know. Going is risky.”
“Because of your attraction to him?”
“Yes. He’s very tempting. I mean very, very tempting.”
“Oh, honey, I know. I saw him.”
They both giggled, and Marissa moved forward as the line moved.
“Who knows, maybe you two can move past the platonic stage into something more. And for the record, despite what Chet said, there is a Bruno out there for you somewhere, but you have to be open to the idea.”
Marissa didn’t want ‘a Bruno.’ She wanted the Bruno.
“I need to stay my butt in Atlanta and work on reorganizing my closet,” she said firmly.
Lark rested one fist on her hip. “Okay girlfriend, time for some tough love.”
“Again?”
“Yes. You always prioritize everyone else. First your brother when you were growing up, then you made sure he finished college and got through dental school, and now your son. When are you going to prioritize your own happiness?”
“I do prioritize my happiness.”
“No, you don’t,” Lark said gently. “You’re doing what a lot of women do—letting your life revolve around your kid.”
“Of course!” A few heads turned, and Marissa lowered her voice. “Every decision I make affects Theo. You’re not a parent, so you wouldn’t understand.”
“I’m your friend, and for years I’ve watched you put your life on hold because of Theo. Enjoy yourself. Go on the trip with Chef Hot and Sexy. When was the last time you had an all-expenses paid trip anywhere, hmm?”
Marissa gnawed on her lip. “What if he expects something from me?”
“Did he give you any indication that he expects sex? And if he does, you have a choice. You say no… or not.” A mischievous glint entered her eyes.
“I’m not sleeping with him. I can’t.”
“Oh right, those silly company rules.”
“They’re not silly. They’re in place for a reason.”
“What are you going to do? Time is ticking.” Lark tapped her wrist though there wasn’t a watch there. “Theo leaves for Disney World in a couple of weeks, and while he’s gone, you could be in L.A. having fun. What do you think Lindsay the Sexy Diva would tell you to do?” Lark asked.
“She would say go for it,” Marissa muttered.
“Exactly! She. Would. Say. Go. For. It.” Lark looked expectantly at Marissa.
“I guess I could go.”
“Of course you can. Have fun and don’t beat yourself up.”
Marissa groaned and buried her face in her hands.
“If your client doesn’t expect anything but your company, go and enjoy the free trip.”
Marissa peeked through her fingers. “This is a really bad idea, but… I’ll do it.”
“Yes!” Lark dropped her voice. “And if you happen to hook up while you’re there…”
“Lark…”
“I’m kidding! I’m happy for you.” Lark squealed and did a little shimmy.
“Who’s the bad influence now?” Marissa asked with an arched eyebrow.
Lark hugged her. “You’re going to have fun, and then when you come back, you’re going to tell me all about your trip. Now give me a piece of candy. I’m starving, and I know you have some.”
Marissa dug in her purse and handed her six Hershey’s kisses with cookies and creme.
As Lark removed the foil from one of the candies, the man in front of them turned around.
“You made the right decision. Sorry, I couldn’t help but overhear.” He shrugged and then returned his attention to the front.
Marissa and Lark glanced at each other and then burst into silent laughter.
* * *
After lunch with Lark, Marissa sat in her car with the phone in her clammy hand. Nervous excitement coursed through her. She searched for Bruno’s number and was about to hit Send when she stopped. She gnawed her bottom lip, watching a teenager race across the parking lot with his younger sibling in a shopping cart.
“Call him,” she said aloud.
Great. Now she had resorted to talking to herself. She released a nervous laugh and let out a breath meant to bolster her resolve.
“I’m gonna do it.” Before she could change her mind again, she hit Send on his name and waited with bated breath.
“Hello, Marissa.” The way he said her name was so deliciously sexy, her toes curled.
“Hi, Bruno. How are you?”
“Fine, and you?”
“Great.” Just do it. “I called because I was thinking about your invitation to attend the awards in L.A., and I’d like to accept. If the offer is still available.”
“There was no expiration date on the invitation. The offer is very much available.”
A wave of relief crashed through her.
“I’m glad you’ve accepted,” he added.
“I want to be clear, I’m coming on this trip as a friend, nothing more. I’m going to be your escort, and you don’t expect anything in exchange to cover my costs or the trip—correct?”
“I don’t expect anything at all, and you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.”
Wait, what did he mean by that last part?
“Good to know,” she said slowly. “I’m looking forward to getting away for a bit.”
“I am too. I’ll have more details for you soon.”
After they hung up, Marissa started the car. She hoped she didn’t live to regret this decision.