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Marisa looked inquiringly at Cole. “You don’t want to be on your mother’s show again?”
He’d been on the program at least once—how had she missed that episode? It must have been one of the early ones. She should be glad she missed it, so why did she feel disappointed?
Cole raised an eyebrow. “I can only work on saving one parent at a time.”
Oh right—the construction company. Marisa could relate—how often had she worried about her mother? Family ties could bind, but they also had the potential to choke.
“You live in Welsdale, Marisa?” Camilla asked.
“Yes, I have my own condo on Chestnut Street.”
Camilla looked perplexed. “You live alone?”
“My cousin Serafina was my roommate until recently.”
Cole’s mother appeared slightly mollified. “Well, is something.”
“My mother thinks living alone is wrong,” Cole said drolly. “We had lots of relatives on extended stays with us when I was growing up. You could say my mother never got out of the hotel business, even after marriage.”
“Cole, don’t be fresh.”
“What? I’m wrong?”
“Your cousin Allegra is coming to visit with her family this fall.”
“And I rest my case,” Cole said.
Camilla adopted a slightly wounded look. “My children moved out. There’s room.”
Marisa was saved from saying anything, however, by the arrival of her own mother.
The family party was just getting started... Jordan Serenghetti, for one, had graduated from looking entertained to outright amused.
Donna Casale glanced around the set and then walked to where Marisa was standing with Cole and Camilla Serenghetti. Scanning the empty audience chairs, she said, “I must be early. There’s hardly anyone here. Oh well, at least we can nab the best seats!”
Marisa stepped forward. “Actually, Mom, there isn’t going to be an audience.” Unless you counted Jordan’s avid spectating. “This isn’t a taping.”
Donna looked confused.
“We’re not going to be part of the audience, we’re going to be guests on the show.” She added weakly, “Surprise!”
Jordan guffawed.
Marisa fixed a smile on her face, willing her mother to go along. She hadn’t said anything about their guest appearance because she’d wanted to avoid too many questions. Plus, she figured the element of surprise would work to her advantage because her mother wouldn’t have a chance to get intimidated and say no.
Donna’s eyes widened. “We’re going to be on TV?”
Marisa grabbed her hand. “Yes! Isn’t it great?” She needed all the enthusiasm she could muster in order to keep nerves at bay. “Let me introduce you to Camilla Serenghetti...and her sons.”
Introductions were made, and Marisa was relieved that everyone seemed to relax a little. Her mother actually started to appear happy at the prospect of making an appearance on a program that she watched.
Marisa cleared her throat. “And Cole has this great idea that we can do a giveaway on air as an advertisement for Stanhope Department Stores. What do you think, Mom?”
Her mother looked at her speculatively and then smiled. “I’ll bring it up with management at work, but I’m sure they’ll be thrilled.”
Marisa lowered her shoulders, but Cole seemed bemused.
“You didn’t tell your mother that she was about to become a star?” he murmured.
