AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Surprise!”
Merrick and Bombshell grabbed their chests, surprised indeed by the group of excited people waving and laughing outside the elevator door. Merrick recognized several of his cousins and a few of the hotel staff. He didn’t understand what was
going on. But when his cousin, Linda, came pulled him out of the elevator humming those first famous bars from the Wedding Song, Merrick cursed under his breath. “Damn it, Tony.” Apparently, he had told Mama G and everyone else. Oh shit.
He put on a good face as the group excitedly pushed and pulled the young couple into a conference room. “Surprise,” was screamed again as they stepped into the room—all decked out with silver and white streamers and cut-out paper wedding bells. A big banner hung on the wall above a spread of food. “Congrats, Merrick and Bombshell.”
It was an engagement party. Merrick’s plan to start being honest with Bombshell as soon as possible went out the window. Bombshell seemed thrilled by the attention. She’d been dragged away as everyone introduced and congratulated her. He saw his mother give her kisses on both cheeks, then hold her out in front of her as if she wanted to get a good look at her. And then she pulled Bombshell in for one of her famous crushing-style bear hugs, before letting one of the cousins take Bombshell away as she moved towards Merrick.
“I can’t believe it, Merrick… Why didn’t you tell me? You know how much I’ve been praying that you’d find someone and settle down.”
“I’m sorry, Mama G—she, uh, it all happened so fast, I didn’t have a chance.”
That was true. He’d never been able to lie to his mother.
“Well, it doesn’t matter now—I’m so happy for both of you. And oh, my goodness, Merrick, she sure is a looker.” Mama G clapped her large hands together with glee, and her eyes sparkled. “I can’t wait to see my grandchildren.”
Merrick felt himself blush. Jesus Christ. This was getting out of hand.
Then he spotted Bombshell. Her face had gone ashy, and she looked more than a little shell-shocked by all the attention. Merrick picked up a spoon from the buffet table and grabbed a glass of champagne. Holding it in the air, he clanged on the glass until he got everyone’s attention.
“Thank you so much for this party, everyone, but I’m afraid we can’t stay.”
“No,” came a universal groan of protest.
“Bombshell has an appointment we need to make,” he said.
He walked over to her and steered her out the door, to the sounds of continuing protests. Just then, Tony walked up, a big stupid grin on his face. Merrick wanted to smack it off his mouth, but he couldn’t do anything that might upset Mama G, or the confused and overwhelmed woman by his arm.
So he turned to back towards the party.
“Again, I’m sorry—but I need to take Bombshell to the hospital—Tony will explain.”
He hustled Bombshell out into the hall and took her to their room. He pulled out the passkey that opened every room in the hotel from his wallet and let her inside.
Chapter Eighteen
“Oh, Merrick, it’s incredible,” she said as she walked into the room. “Do we really get to live here?”
Her eyes were big as saucers, and it reminded him of that childlike way she’d reacted when he’d first shown her around his cabin. And even though she was clearly exhausted, the way her face lit up made his heart thump.
The doctor’s appointment wasn’t for another few hours, but he was still glad to get her away from the surprise party. He was hungry, and he let Bombshell roam around the room as he ordered room service and mulled over how to change up his story so as not to upset Mama G. When Bombshell closed the door to the bathroom, he grabbed his cell phone and called Tony.
“You’ll thank me later, bro,” Tony said as he answered the phone.
“What the hell are you talking about? Do you realize how this screws up my plans?”
“What plans? You haven’t told me squat, bro—but I can tell by the way you look at her that she’s more than just talent for the performance center. You really like that girl. Don’t pretend that you don’t.”
Merrick gulped. Tony was right. Tony had always been able to read him like a book. Was there more to it than just an insane physical attraction? Was he falling for this woman?
“Merrick,” Bombshell said, “Oh, Merrick—look, there’s a piano. Can I play it?” she said.
Despite himself, and his pain-in-the-ass brother on the other line, he said, “Sure, sweetheart, play away.”
“See—I told you. Listen to you, you’re in love, bro.”
Merrick stepped into the hall, leaving the door ajar as he whispered into the phone. “Look, Tony—I don’t appreciate you messing around with my life like that. Did you get the identification like I asked? Does she have an insurance card?”
