Say You Will (The Alexanders 5)

Trent increased his pace. "Yeah, it's a girl I knew in high school. She was a bit of a gossip an

d not the nicest person. I don't really want to get caught and be forced to make conversation with someone I didn't even like, you know?"

Mara walked faster, trying to keep pace with his stride. "I get that. There are definitely some people I plan to avoid at my ten-year reunion. If I even go."

A cab was letting out a fare right in front of them as they left the West park entrance and Trent let out a small huff of relief as Mara climbed in. He glanced over his shoulder one last time. Trix was still staring at him, her head tilted to the side. He waved and then ducked his head and slid in after Mara.

He gave the address for the penthouse, since they could easily walk to the other places he wanted to show her. They pulled out into traffic and Mara rested her head on his shoulder.

"I like this kind of sightseeing. If I'd just toured the museums and eaten at some trendy restaurant, it would have been just like every other vacation experience I've ever had. But people watching in Central Park is something I'll never forget. Thank you for sharing that with me."

He turned his head, brushing a kiss over her lips. She sighed, the soft sound a hum in her chest that speared straight through him.

"Where to now?" she whispered.

He looked out the window at the rush of people and cars flashing by. "Well, I can show you the little boutique where Avery got busted for shoplifting one summer. Then we're going for bagels. Real bagels, not those cardboard things you guys eat for breakfast. And then I think I'll take you home and show you a few things you've seen before."

Her eyes heated. "Private tour?" The hand that rested against his thigh inched higher until she cupped him through his jeans.

He sucked in a sudden, sharp breath. "Very private. And I'm thinking bagels are more of a breakfast thing so we can go straight home."

Her laughter rang out, filling up all the empty holes in his heart.

* * * * *

TRENT HAD ORDERED a grocery delivery, so Mara spent the majority of the afternoon prepping the artichoke-stuffed chicken breasts she planned to serve for dinner that night. Matt and Penny were coming over. They'd been on a whirlwind tour of the city the past two days, including an exclusive invitation-only rehearsal for a new Broadway show. Trent had even arranged for them to meet the actors afterward.

She'd just gotten comfortable on the couch with a magazine when Trent approached, one hand covering the mouthpiece of the cordless handset.

“It’s your mom,” Trent whispered.

Mara let her head fall back into the cushions. Although she'd sent her parents a message that she was traveling with Trent, she hadn't filled them in on the true nature of the trip. In her mother’s world everything was about finding a husband. It didn’t matter how well she’d done in college or whether she liked her job. The only letters attached to her name that would impress Carolina Simmons were the all important M.R.S. in the front.

And Mara had so far proven herself not up to the task of getting her man to commit. At least that was her mother’s point of view. Carolina had no idea that the real reason they hadn’t gotten married yet was because Mara wasn’t ready. And if she found out that her future son-in-law was a modern day Midas then there would no forces on earth that would stop her from flying up to visit and badgering Mara into planning the wedding.

She held out her hand for the phone. “Hi mom.”

“I’ve been calling and calling you all day. Where have you been, mija?”

Mara rolled her eyes but it was in affectionate exasperation. Her mother had called once and she hadn't even left a message.

“I was cooking dinner, Mom. Matt and Penny are coming over tonight so I had a lot to do.”

Her mother made a soft harrumphing sound but sounded partially appeased. “That’s good. I’m glad you’re feeding your brother. Penny is a sweet girl but I don’t know about her cooking.”

“Her cooking is fine, Mom. Not every woman needs to cook anyway. Matt is hardly helpless.” It was useless to try to bring her mother around to modern thinking about family life but for some reason she couldn’t stop trying.

“I suppose so. Anyway, I found the perfect wedding dress for you. I tried to join that site online for the pictures but I can’t figure it out. So your cousin, Manuela, is going to put the picture online so you can see it.”

“Great,” Mara responded, hoping she’d mustered enough enthusiasm in the tone of her voice. It was doubtful that she’d like anything her mother had chosen but she really did appreciate that her mother was trying to help out.

“Have you decided on your colors yet? We really need to think about the bridesmaids’ dresses. And how many attendants you are going to have. You have to ask your cousin, Maria.”

“I do? Mom, I haven’t even seen that side of the family in years. I already have to ask Trent’s sister.”

“He has a sister? I didn’t realize. I’m sure you told me. This is silly that we’re trying to do this long distance. Perhaps your father and I should come visit for a while. We still haven’t met Trent’s family.”

“Things are really crazy right now but maybe we should plan a trip soon. It would be nice to get both families together.”