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“There isn’t much to tell,” Coda said. “We’re pretty new to one another.”
“That’s when everything is exciting.” Jenna placed her arm around Coda’s back as they walked to the changing room. “Remember to enjoy every second of falling in love.”
* * * *
THE DAY OF RELAXINGhad done Coda some good. Her tired neck, shoulders, and legs got the attention they so desperately needed under the expert hands of the massage therapist. Her toenails and fingernails donned the same silver polish, her skin practically glowed from the exfoliation treatment, and her dead ends were a thing of the past. She’d gotten two inches trimmed from her hair. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a proper haircut. That was a luxury that hadn’t been in her budget for a long time.
Coda enjoyed Jenna and Spencer’s aunts. She felt bad deceiving them into believing she and Spencer were a couple. They seemed thrilled he’d finally found someone. Coda wished he really wanted to pursue a relationship with her. There was so much more she wanted to learn about him. After the weekend, he’d go back to being the CEO and she’d be the cleaning woman. It would be as if the days they had spent together had never happened. The proposition would last until Sunday. Those were the terms. She’d have to make the most of the time they had together.
“What’s got you so lost in thought?” Spencer asked.
“Nothing.” She smiled at him. “I was thinking about the wonderful time I had today.”
“I’m glad my mother didn’t drive you crazy.”
“She’s great.” They walked through the lobby. Dinner had been quiet. The bridal party and their immediate families attended the rehearsal for the ceremony and separate dinner. The rest of the guests were invited to a buffet. Most were still at the bar.
“Would you like to go for a walk along the lake?”
“I’d love to.”
“I saw a fireplace out on the patio. We could sit out there for a bit.” He took her hand and led her out the back entrance of the hotel. “It’s a nice night.”
“This place is incredible. When I go to a wedding it’s usually at a banquet room or a fire hall. It only lasts a few hours, not four days.”
“This is pretty elaborate, even for my family. The governor wanted someplace secluded. Tara and Ben wanted to do an on-going celebration. As much as I love my cousin, I think this whole thing is too much. I think the wedding should be about the future. A beginning.”
“They’re young and in love. They’re also very blessed to have family and friends who could take the time to celebrate with them.”
“Do you come from a big family?” They walked down a well-lit path along the lake. The stars twinkled around the full moon, creating a magical effect over the water.
“It’s me and my mom. I have a few cousins and an uncle, but that’s about it.”
“You said your father was a musician.”
“I don’t remember too much about him. He died when I was four.”
“I’m sorry.” He tightened his hold on her hand.
“Don’t be. He had problems. My parents were young when they had me. He struggled with alcohol and drugs. He played guitar in a band.” Coda remembered Jenna saying Spencer’s dad played for the New York Philharmonic. Their dads couldn’t have been more different. “He got mixed up with the wrong people. He overdosed.”
“That must have been difficult for your mother.”
“Yeah, it’s always been the two of us. She worked hard to support us. She helped me get through college, but I had to take out some loans. My mom’s been sick. Before we got a solid diagnosis as to what was actually wrong with her, we hit some tough times but it isn’t anything we’re not used to. She had to have a lot of tests.”
“Would you like to sit here?” He pointed at the large brick fireplace in an out cove by the lake. “Doesn’t look like anyone else has claimed it.”
Alone could be good.
“It looks cozy.” She sat down on the bench in front of the hearth. “I love the smell of burning wood, especially in the fall. I’d love to have a fireplace someday.”
“I have two in the penthouse, but neither is wood burning. I debated whether I should buy a house out in the suburbs away from the city.”
“Would you like that?”
“I think I would, but I need to be close to the agency. Emergencies come up all the time and I can’t be forty minutes away.”
“You need to have your own life.” She reached for his hand. “You can’t be the CEO all the time.”
