A San Diego Romance Page 8

  “Hey, Dad. It’s Jack.”

  He smiled at the sound of his son’s voice. “Hey, kiddo. What’s up?”

  “Listen. Do you think you could convince Mom to get off my back about football tryouts?”

  Hearing the frustration in his son’s voice, Chris became concerned. “She’s started that up again?” He sat down on the white leather sofa in his sitting room.

  Jack sighed. “Yes, and she’s as determined as ever. I keep telling her I don’t want to go out for the team, but she just doesn’t seem to get it.”

  It pained him to know Sheila was pushing something on Jack and disregarding his feelings. “Son, how clear have you been with her that you’re not interested?”

  “Crystal clear. I’ve told her like a hundred times that I don’t want to play football. I could maybe do track and field. But she’s so set on me getting a football scholarship and playing pro ball, she’s not hearing me.”

  Chris rolled his eyes. As she’d done with him so many years ago, Sheila was still trying to secure her future at the expense of someone else’s choices. “I’m sorry, Jack. I don’t know if I can convince her to stop bugging you. Your mother can be very...insistent.” He chose his words carefully, because he didn’t bad-mouth his ex to their children, ever.

  Jack was quiet for a moment. Then he asked, “Do you think she’ll leave it alone if I try out and completely suck at it?”

  He chuckled. “Maybe. But there’s a chance she’ll redouble her efforts and send you off to football camp.”

  He groaned. “Crap. I don’t want that.”

  Chris thought for a moment. “I’ll talk to her. I can’t promise anything, but I’ll see if I can convince her to abort mission on this. In the meantime, pick something else you like and sign up for that. You know, show her that you’re filling your time with extracurriculars.”

  Jack’s tone brightened as he picked up on what his father was hinting at. “Oh, I get it. I’ll just sign up for something I actually like, something that happens to conflict with football season.”

  Chris smiled. “That’s my boy.”

  “Thanks, Dad. I’ll let you go.”

  “Okay, son. Love you.”

  Jack hesitated. “Yeah, You, too, Dad.” Then he hung up.

  Pocketing his phone, Chris chuckled. Sheila would probably flip when she found out Jack wasn’t going to play football, but he didn’t believe in forcing the kid into something he didn’t want, at least not when it came to extracurriculars. When Sheila did things like this, it just reminded Chris of all the reasons they were never right for each other.

  Still, she’d given him Jack and Jojo. And no matter how much he disagreed with her, he’d always be grateful to her for that.

  * * *

  Eliza pulled her cream-colored shawl tighter around her shoulders to fend off the chill of the breeze flowing over the harbor. She stood near the glass enclosure on the North Deck of Top of the Market, one of San Diego’s finest restaurants. It was about an hour past sunset on Thursday night, and as she looked up at the star-sprinkled sky, she sighed. The night, as beautiful as any she could remember, seemed made for romance. The lovely scenery helped her put aside her unpleasant memories of their last interaction. If he could go through the trouble of setting this up, she could give him another shot. Everything would be fine, so long as he didn’t bring up their age difference tonight.

  Chris stood next to her, his shoulder resting against the glass. “Have you enjoyed yourself this evening, Eliza?”

  She smiled. “Yes, I have.” Looking his way, she took in his handsomeness for the thousandth time. The tailored coal black suit fit him perfectly, as did the crisp royal blue shirt and solid black tie. His face sported a fresh shave, revealing the strong, angular lines of his face. To her, he looked as decadent as any of the rich desserts on the restaurant’s menu.

  His full lips tilted up into a smile. “Glad to hear it. I knew I was taking a risk by reserving the entire deck for us. I mean, what if you had said no? It was nonrefundable, you know.” He winked.

  She giggled. They’d been here for the past two hours, and she’d dined on sautéed New Bedford sea scallops and enjoyed a chilled glass of Moët. And to accompany the wonderful meal and the glorious views of sunset over the USS Midway and the North Harbor, she’d had Chris’s company and conversation to make her night even more magical. “You didn’t have to do all of this. I would have been fine eating in the dining room with everyone else.”

  “You’re assuming I did this for you, but my reasoning was totally selfish.” He took a step closer.

  “Oh, really?” She took a step as well, entering his personal space.

  He smiled. “Yes.” He leaned in, placed a soft kiss on her forehead. “I didn’t want to share you with anyone.”

  She appreciated his tenderness, but the heat radiating through her body demanded to be satiated. “Whatever the reasoning, thank you. I’ve really enjoyed myself.”

  “I’m glad. But you should know, the evening isn’t over yet.”

  Her eyebrows rose in surprise. “What’s next, then?” Parts of her hoped he planned to take her back to his place and see where the night took them once they were truly alone.

  “I’m going to take you for a drive.”

  It wasn’t the answer she’d expected, but she didn’t see any problem with that. “Okay. I’m game.”

  They left the restaurant and he drove her around the city and the surrounding areas, showing her some of the buildings he’d designed. The types of structures ran the gamut; he’d designed restaurants, retail spaces and even a church for one of the local Baptist congregations. She alternated between looking out the window at the places he pointed out, and squirming in her seat. Tonight, the inside of his car seemed smaller somehow, and she couldn’t seem to keep her composure. The small space only served to amplify the intoxicating, decidedly masculine scent of his cologne. The smell flooded her senses, making her feel wanton, reckless.

  She did her best to pay attention to his words as he told her about his designs, but she found her mind wandering to other things. She wanted to be with this man in a way she never had before. Back when they’d dated, she was too young, and he, too respectful, to take their relationship to the ultimate physical level. She sensed that he still saw her as the young teen she used to be, and in a way, that was sweet. However, the woman in her wanted his touch, his kiss and everything that a man and a woman could share.

  In an attempt to shake off those thoughts, she directed her attention back to the passing scenery.

  He navigated the car along Mission Boulevard, then veered right onto La Jolla Boulevard. They rode along in silence for several miles, passing through the Bird Rock and Lower Hermosa neighborhoods, until he stopped at a construction site a short distance away from Windansea Beach.

  “Where are we?” She peered out into the darkness, lit only by the neighborhood streetlights.

  “This is where the museum I’m designing is going to be built.”

  “Wow.” She looked at the cleared land, or at least what she could see of it. “I never would have imagined a museum going up here.”

  “The zoning in this area is pretty flexible,” he commented. “Plus, the neighborhood association didn’t put up a fight once they learned about the museum, how it will be built and what it will stand for.”

  She nodded her understanding. “I’m impressed, Chris. You’ve done really well for yourself.” She turned his way. “I’m proud of you.”

  “Thanks.” He reached out, squeezed her hand. “You know, you’ve accomplished plenty as well.”

  She waved him off. “Nah. I’m just a girl chasing her passion.”

  “Come on. You’re not giving yourself enough credit. From what I can tell, Ellicott’s is already very successful. That’s not an easy feat to pull off, for a business in Gaslamp that’s b
een open less than six months.”

  She could see what he meant. Gaslamp was a bustling, culturally exciting area of town. The atmosphere was what had drawn her to open Ellicott’s there. Still, businesses located there faced something of an uphill battle to establish themselves. An ever-changing clientele with wildly varying tastes flowed through the district, making profitability for small business owners a challenge. “I hadn’t really thought of that, but I guess you’re right.”

  “Of course I’m right.” He winked. “Don’t be so modest. You’ve done something impressive and worthy of praise.”

  She smiled then, feeling her cheeks warm in response to his flattery. “Thank you, Chris.”

  “Just calling it as I see it, and you’re welcome.”

  Silence fell in the car for a few moments. Their gazes connected.

  Eliza could feel desire rolling through her like a wave. She leaned in for his kiss, and he met her halfway. Her eyes closed as his lips touched hers. She laid her open palm against his jawline, tilting her head to the side and letting the tip of her tongue stroke his bottom lip. The gesture was meant to alert him that she wanted to be kissed fully, with passion.

  Instead, he stiffened and pulled away, bringing the moment to an abrupt end.

  Eliza’s eyes popped open in time to see him shift the car out of Park. She straightened in her seat as he pulled away from the curb and back onto the road. “Chris? Is something wrong?”

  He shook his head, keeping his straight ahead. “No, nothing’s wrong. But I think I’ve kept you out late enough.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Are you kidding? I’m an adult. I don’t have a curfew.”

  “I know. But we both have to work tomorrow, Eliza.”

  That statement made her ire rise. He may as well have admonished her for being out late on a school night. She inhaled deeply, then blew the breath out, but didn’t say anything else. What else was there to say, when Chris was so obviously stuck in the habit of seeing her as a girl of nineteen instead of the grown woman she was?

  They rode the rest of the way in silence, and when he pulled up to the cottage, she unhooked her seat belt, swung open the door and hopped out.

  He must have sensed her annoyance, because unlike the last time, he didn’t get out and try to follow her. And as she closed her front door and locked herself inside her house, she was glad he hadn’t.

  Chapter 10

  Friday afternoon, Chris leaned over his drafting table, sketching in some of the details on the floor plans for the museum. He erased a part of the line he’d just drawn, blew away the eraser dust and redrew it with the help of his straightedge. Satisfied with that section, he moved to the adjacent section to work on details there.

  His phone buzzed in the pocket of his slacks, and he set down the pencil and checked the screen. It was a text message from Sheila.

  Working late, please pick up Jojo from piano lesson

  He fired off a quick reply, letting Sheila know he would do as she asked. A glance at the clock above his drafting table showed him the time, three forty. Since Jojo’s piano lesson ended in less than an hour, he decided to pack it in for the day. He spent a few minutes straightening up, putting his tools away in the drawers beneath his drafting table.

  Grabbing a bottle of water from the kitchen, he then got into his car and drove to the Young Musicians’ Academy. The small school, located in the Pacific Beach neighborhood, offered private lessons in piano, violin, cello and upright bass. He pulled into an empty space in the small parking lot, let the windows down and cut the engine. He’d arrived a few minutes early, so he scrolled through the highlights on a financial news website he followed to pass the time.

  Jojo strolled out, wearing a pair of dark denim jeans, sneakers and a solid blue T-shirt emblazoned with a glittery silver star. When she saw the car, she waved.

  He waved back, then got out and opened the passenger-side door for her. Once he made sure she was buckled in, he closed her inside.

  As he pulled out of the parking space, she asked, “Where’s Mom?”

  “She had to work late, so she texted me and asked me to pick you up.” He rolled up the windows so they could hear each other better. “You can hang with me until she gets off.”

  “Can’t I just go home?”

  “Alone?” He scoffed. “I don’t think so, young lady.”

  “Jack’s not there?”

  He shook his head. “No, he’s at Carter’s house, playing video games. Spoke to him earlier.”

  Jojo sighed. “Okay, whatever.”

  Keeping his focus on the road, Chris shook his head. Logically, he knew Jojo’s newfound attitude had everything to do with her changing hormones and her desire to be seen as an adult. Knowing that didn’t make it any easier to accept, though. He thought back to the dance last weekend, and the young man she’d danced with. “I didn’t get a chance to ask you before, but what can you tell me about Anthony?”

  She looked at him, eyes wide. “What?”

  “You know, Anthony. The young man from the dance. Jack says you have a crush on him, so I thought I’d...”

  Jojo pursed her lips. “Jack dimed me out? I’ll be sure to thank him with a fat lip.”

  He chuckled. “Go easy on your brother. Anyway, what can you tell me about him?”

  She folded her arms over her chest. “Dad, I don’t really want to do this.”

  “Come on, Jojo. Just tell me a little bit about him.” He wanted to get as much information out of her as he could while they were in the car, because he knew she’d disappear into her room once they got into the house.

  “Like what?”

  “Like, why do you like him? Do you two have any shared interests?”

  She shrugged. “He likes some of the same music as me. And he says his mom wants him to take piano.”

  Chris nodded, turning off the road and into the entrance to his property. As the car moved up the steep drive, he said, “How does he treat you? Is he respectful?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Yes, Dad.”

  “Have you kissed him?”

  “Dad!” Her eyes widened, and she looked away, as if embarrassed.

  “I’m sorry if this is awkward for you, Jojo, but I have to know what’s on this boy’s mind. You know you’re not allowed to be alone with boys, right?”

  She released a deep, dramatic sigh. “Yes, Dad. I know, I know.”

  “Just checking. And if things seem to be moving too fast between you, I want you to let me know right away.”

  She nodded.

  “I mean it. If he ever does anything that makes you feel uncomfortable, or looks at you a certain way, or...”

  “Don’t worry, Dad. He doesn’t look at me the way you look at Miss Eliza or anything.”

  Pulling into his underground garage, Chris cut the engine and looked at his daughter. He was amazed at the smooth way she’d turned the conversation around and placed the focus on him. She’s got a little of her mother in her, I see. “Really, Jojo?”

  “It’s like I said, Dad. It’s so obvious you like her.”

  He sighed, but knew their conversation about her crush was effectively over. “Come on, Jojo. Let’s go inside and grab a snack.”

  She chuckled. “Yeah, okay, Dad.”

  He thought back to the way Eliza had come on to him, and how caught off guard he’d been. She’d always seemed so innocent to him, but her behavior in his car had indicated otherwise. How was he supposed to respond when Eliza’s gesture had seemed to come out of nowhere?

  He shook off the thought and walked with Jojo to the door leading from the garage into the den, unlocking it. Then he followed his wily daughter inside and shut the door.

  * * *

  Friday night found Eliza sitting on the wraparound porch at her sister Brianne’s house. The house sat in a cul-de-sac in a
quiet section of the La Jolla district. It was after nine, and Eliza assumed most of the children in the neighborhood were in bed for the evening. Brianne’s three daughters had been in bed for more than an hour, and her husband, Ed, had gone upstairs to catch up on his recorded television shows from the last week.

  As she looked around, Eliza could see that there were more than a few people sitting out on their porches or patios, enjoying adult conversation and a glass of wine in the warm evening breeze.

  Brianne, stretched out on the padded cushion of her brown wicker love seat, sighed. “So, Eliza. Tell me what’s going on. We can talk now that the kids are in bed.”

  Sitting across from her in the matching wicker armchair, Eliza crossed her legs at the ankle. “The store was slammed today. We sold out of those new jeweled sandals with the T-strap in every color we had, and...”

  Brianne raised her hand, palm out. “Girl, stop! There you go again, telling me about work as if you have no social life.”

  She shrugged. “I don’t have much of one. It’s Friday night and I’m hanging out with you.” She winked.

  Rolling her eyes, Brianne said, “Eliza. Don’t make me pop you. What’s going on with you and Chris?”

  “Chris who?” She pulled the same card that Brianne had earlier in the week. “I know at least four dudes named Chris.”

  Her expression changed. Lips pursed in annoyance, Brianne said, “Chris Marland. Stop playing.”

  She giggled. “I guess I’ve teased you enough. But the truth, I don’t have anything exciting to tell you.”

  Her brow arched in surprise. “Seriously? Nothing?”

  Eliza shrugged. “We’ve kissed a few times, but that’s it.”

  “How many times have you been out?”

  She thought for a minute. “Five. And we’ve had a great time, every time.”

  “I don’t get it.” Brianne slumped back against the cushion.

  “Believe me, I’m just as disappointed as you are.” Thinking of what was happening, or not happening, between her and Chris made Eliza feel just as deflated as her sister appeared. “And it’s not from lack of attraction between us.”