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She groaned, and I could just picture her rolling her light blue eyes skyward. “Oh goodness, why would you want to bring something up that happened a million years ago?”
“Because I need to know. Did you and Dad intervene so I wouldn’t have to face the consequences?” It was a ridiculous way to word the question, but with Mara’s derisive tone playing on a loop in my head, it was the best I could come up with.
“Of course we did. We were in a position to make sure the authorities saw that you weren’t to blame, so we did. Why is this coming up now, Alexander?”
Of course we did. She said it like it was just so simple, but to my parents, I guess it was. “No reason. Just curious.”
“Really?” She let out a decidedly unladylike snort. “Curious enough to call me on a weekday at least two weeks before your reluctant monthly call? What’s the real reason?”
“Do you have any idea what happened to the girl I was with back then?” It stung to refer to Mara as the girl when she was so much more than that, but I didn’t want to raise her suspicions.
“No clue. My guess is community service of some sort. Your father and I made a donation to get you out of it, and how did you repay us? The Army.”
I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose as I paced the length of my kitchen and living room. “It must be so rough for you, Mom, having a son who served his country proudly. What a burden.”
“Your sarcasm isn’t appreciated, son.”
“Right. Well thanks for the information. How are you, Mom?”
“Busy as ever,” she said, happy to have the conversation turn to more comfortable topics. “There are so many Valentine’s themed parties and galas and other fundraisers to plan and finalize. Will we see you for the Red & Platinum Gala?”
Hell no. “I’ll have to check my schedule.” The last thing I wanted was to attend a Houston social event where socialites would be thrown in my path.
“Sure you will. My secretary is here now, Alexander. Let’s talk again soon. Love you.” In her typical fashion, the call ended before I could say another word.
But I’d gotten what I needed. Answers, a few anyway.
Armed with a little more information than I had the day before, a plan started to form in my mind and, good or bad, I put a list together before I could talk myself out of it. Mara and I needed to hash a few things out, and today was my day off, which meant it was the perfect day to put my plan into action.
The phone rang just as I was headed to the flower shop. “This is Xander.”
“Xander, it’s Olive. I’ve got some bad news for you.”
I stopped in the front hall and sighed. “What?”
“It’s Mara, she’s not interested in any of her matches. Period.”
That didn’t make any sense. “Did she find out I came to see you?” I wouldn’t put it past the stubborn woman to thwart my every attempt to get close to her.
“No Xander, none of us would risk that. She’s simply not interested in matching with anyone.”
“But she gave in and filled out the questionnaire.”
“Yes,” Olive agreed, her voice filled with patience. “But only to get Eva off her back. She didn’t even want to know about any of the matches, so there’s nothing else we can do.”
“Shit.” That would make things considerably harder. “Got any advice for me?”
“Apologize and grovel, those are always good places to start in my experience. Then again, Mara isn’t like most women.”
“That’s for damn sure.” She was stubborn as hell, but getting to know her had been worth every verbal barb she’d tossed at me for months. “Thanks Olive.”
“No problem and I’m sorry I couldn’t help with this. Truly sorry.”
“You did what you could, and I appreciate it.” My disappointment wasn’t her fault.
“Succulents. Mara loves them, not that she would ever admit it, but I’ve seen a few around her place. Good luck.”
It was a helpful tip, and a useful reminder that Mara most definitely was not like other women, who would squeal and come to tears over a bouquet of roses or tulips or even lilies. Potted plants weren’t exactly my idea of romance or a proper apology, but I hoped the plants and the book would at least get me in the door.
Mara opened the door, her big brown eyes glaring at me angrily. “What do you want, Xander?”
That was the second time she’d used my name and it surprised a smile out of me. “I’m here for our date.”
She shook her head and folded her arms. “That’s impossible because I explicitly told the girls that I wasn’t going on any dates. Period. With anyone.” She didn’t have to say ‘least of all you’ but I heard it none the less, about a second before she tried to slam the door in my face.
