Romancing My Love(10)

That was just like him, always willing to help. “Mr. Fralin, you’ve done so much for me already. I wanted to come by and thank you again and let you know that as soon as I have permanent employment, I plan on paying you back for the last few months’ rent.”

“Nonsense—”

“No. I insist. Allowing us to stay here when we couldn’t afford it during the last two months of my mom’s life and then allowing me to stay for almost six weeks after that was beyond generous. I’m not sure I can pay much until I’m back on my feet, but I would imagine that I’d be able to afford twenty dollars a week. I know it will take a long time to pay off three and a half months’ rent at that rate, and if I can pay more, I will.”

“That is unnecessary, Rebecca. Your mother was a good woman, and it was my pleasure to help you both. I only wish that I could have allowed you to stay longer.”

“That’s very generous of you to say, but you went above and beyond what anyone else would ever do, and we appreciated it greatly. I appreciate it. You allowed me to stay here for almost six weeks after my mother passed, Mr. Fralin, and you have her urn in your safe. You’ve done more for me than I could have ever hoped for.” It had been Rebecca and her mother against the world for so long, trying to survive from day to day and to make ends meet, that she was trying her damnedest not to remain in that needy of a position. She was determined not to depend on anyone for a place to live or to put food on the table.

“Have you found another place to stay?”

“I’m just waiting for the approval to come through.” The little white lie was not just to save her pride, but she didn’t want him worrying about her, either. “I’m between jobs right now, but I hope to have a new position soon, and when I do, I’ll be in touch.”

He walked her to the door and held his hand out again. Rebecca placed her hand in his.

“Rebecca,” he began. “Your mother would be very proud of you.”

Rebecca wasn’t taking care of their debts to make her mother proud. She knew her mother was proud of her regardless of the debt she’d incurred. She was making amends for her own peace of mind. Rebecca wanted—needed—to know that she could not only stand on her own two feet, but leave a good reputation in her wake. Her mother’s death didn’t define her, and she was determined that the circumstances they’d endured wouldn’t determine her future. She wasn’t, and she had no desire to be, the type of woman people pitied, or the type of woman whose poor station in life was written off as, Well, her mother died, you know, so cut her some slack.

She wasn’t going to maintain a poor station in life, either. She just needed to find her niche. Everyone had one, and she wasn’t giving up on finding hers at twenty-seven.

Back in her car, she pulled out her cell phone and was surprised to see a message from a number she didn’t recognize. She listened to the message and screamed, then covered her mouth and looked around the parking lot. She listened again just to be sure she had heard it correctly.

“Hi, Rebecca. This is Chiara. Good news. We’d like to hire you for a waitressing position in the restaurant that I took you through. I know waitressing wasn’t your job of choice, but it’s a start, and since I know you are looking to start right away, if you’re interested in the position and are free this afternoon, stop by and we can complete the remaining paperwork.”

Rebecca rested her head back. I can do this. I can SO do this!

Waitressing. It was a start, and it was a job with a stable company and, she hoped, growth potential. With hope in her heart, she called Chiara and confirmed that she’d come by later that afternoon. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, trying to quell the flutter of excitement that had her wishing she could tell her mother about her job. You already know, don’t you? She didn’t expect a sign or a whiff of her mother’s scent to know in her heart that her mother was pulling all the right strings.

Not only was she going to find her niche, but why shouldn’t she enjoy the company of a man who set fire in her belly and made her heart come alive? She read his text again and responded with renewed hope.

I’m not into sharing, so if Ronda shows up, I might have to kick her butt, too.





Chapter Five


REBECCA STOOD IN the lobby of the Astral resort beside a wide golden column. It was Friday evening and the lobby was much busier than it had been the evening before. The casino entrance was down a corridor to her left, and indiscernible, excited noises filtered down the hall. Women passed in droves, with spiky heels, perfectly coiffed hair, and makeup that looked professionally done. They were draped on the arms of handsome men wearing expensive suits and shoes that glistened from the overhead lights. Slicked-back hair and manicured eyebrows were apparently commonplace among the male casino patrons. There was a time when Rebecca would have felt out of place surrounded by such rich beauty, but after the first minute or two, she was able to see past the rush of insecure thoughts. She pulled back her shoulders and adjusted her mind-set—another skill she’d honed during the years of caring for her mother. Her adjusted perspective offered a different view of those glamour people. Now she saw insecure people flaunting their means too loudly, and when she turned those new lenses introspectively, she saw a confident woman who was on her way to sure footing. And it felt damn good.

The twisting and turning in her stomach had nothing to do with being in the presence of the rich and maybe even some of the famous. Her nerves were knotting in anticipation of seeing Pierce and in excitement over her new job. She’d met with Chiara, and she’d met her new boss, Marlow Villada, and a few of the other people she’d be working with. Rebecca was no newbie to waitressing, but waitressing at the Astral was completely different from waitressing at IHOP and Ben’s Breakfast Bar. She was starting the job on Monday, and she needed to memorize the menu before then. It would take dedication and focus, but it was worth it. She’d already done the math in her head, and she’d be earning almost twice what she’d earned in the past, which meant that finding a reasonable place to live and paying back Mr. Fralin wasn’t out of the question. She’d thought she might try to rent from Mr. Fralin again, but after returning to the complex, she realized that it would be too painful to live there knowing that her mother would never walk through the door again. Rebecca was moving forward.

She felt his hand on her shoulder and smelled his masculine, musky scent before she heard Pierce’s voice.

“Sweet Rebecca.”

She turned so fast she nearly smacked into him. “Hi. Sorry.” Oh God. He looked like he’d stepped out of one of those glossy magazines again. He carried his suit coat and tie over one arm, and the top buttons of his white dress shirt were undone, revealing a glimpse of the athletic body that lay beneath.

He leaned in close and kissed her cheek. “Did I keep you waiting?”

“No, not at all.”

He smiled and it cut right through her. He had the greatest smile, a magical combination of friendly welcome and sweet seduction. He placed his hand on her lower back, as he’d done the evening before, and this time her body didn’t tense with nervous energy. She’d been thinking about his touch all day. This time she felt drenched in pleasure, and she longed for more.

As they walked outside, he leaned in close again. “You look lovely.”

She felt her cheeks flush. She loved how he moved close each time he spoke to her. It made his words feel that much more intimate. “Thank you.” Rebecca didn’t have many fancy clothes, but she was glad she’d changed after filling out the paperwork. She had a few short dresses that she knew were at least slightly fashionable, even if not high-end. Consignment shops were great for finding deals on nice clothing. Tonight she wore a heather-gray, off-the-shoulder dress with three-quarter-length sleeves. It was blousy up top and gathered at her waist. It was a little short, stopping just above midthigh, and with her heels, it looked more expensive than it was.

“If that makes you blush, then I’m glad I didn’t say what I really felt.”

Oh, please, make me blush.

“Pierce.” A tall, blond-haired man reached for Pierce’s hand. “Man, it’s good to see you.”

In a split second Pierce’s flirtatious eyes turned serious. He shook the man’s hand, his other hand never leaving her back.

“Larry, it’s a pleasure.” He turned toward Rebecca. “This is my lovely date, Rebecca. Rebecca, this is my good friend Larry Hooper.”

Rebecca loved that he didn’t hesitate to introduce her as his lovely date, but it felt practiced, and that stole a tiny piece of her joy.

“It’s nice to meet you, Larry,” she said.

“Enjoy your evening, Larry. We have plans, so we’d better go before we’re late.”

She felt Pierce guiding her toward the valet. Anderson opened the door to a midnight-blue Jaguar. She’d wondered the other day if the gray Jaguar had been his, but he’d rushed her away from the valet so quickly she hadn’t been able to figure it out. Now she wondered if he owned two Jags.

“Thank you,” she said as she slid onto the fine leather seat, squelching the first few seconds of feeling like she was way out of her league. Which she was, but her mother had taught her at a young age that leagues were only a frame of mind. Take away the cars and money and they’re just people, like you and me, niña.