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When I pull into my driveway, Elana is sitting on the front steps. She waves at me and walks over before I get a chance to step out of the car. “How’d it go?”
“About as well as you’d expect.” I rub my hands across my face, trying to dispel the memory of their disappointed looks. More than disappointment, really. There was fear and anguish there about not being able to pay the bills.
“I might have a bit of good news,” she says, putting her hand on my arm.
“I could use some good news right about now.”
“We need to talk to Alice Witmore, the head of acquisitions. And guess what?” She beams up at me, and I can’t help smiling.
“What?”
“She’ll be in Atlanta this weekend for her niece’s wedding. It’s a big thing at the Marriott downtown. I bet she’s staying at the hotel the day before. According to her assistant, she’s out of the office on Thursday and Friday.”
I glance at my watch. Today is Tuesday. “We could drive down there,” I hedge. Getting Pat and Tom to spring for travel expenses will be another story.
“My parents live an hour-and-a-half outside of Atlanta,” Elana says.
“I remember you mentioning that.” I also remember how shamelessly her mother tried to set me up with her daughter during her last visit here.
“We could spend the night there and catch Mrs. Witmore before the ceremony. We’ll be back at the office on Friday.” Elana pulls me into a tight hug, her face hovering less than an inch from mine. Her warm breath washes over me, and the small strands of silver and indigo in her blue eyes sparkle in the light of the sun.
“Have I told you how amazing you are?” I ask.
“Not lately.” She raises herself on her toes and kisses me. It’s a sweeter, less desperate kiss and what I wish our first one would have been like.
“Ready to meet my parents?” she asks when we finally break away.
“I’ve met your mother,” I say, grinning like a fool and suddenly feeling ten pounds lighter.
“But that was before we were…” She stops and takes a step back.
“Dating?” I ask, watching her face carefully.
The pretty smile is back. “I was hoping you’d say that. Yes, dating.”
“And you’re ready to make this tell-the-parents official?” I ask, watching her face carefully.
“We can’t do that.” Her eyes are wide and so full of horror, it’s all I can do to suppress a smile.
“Why not?” I tease.
“Have you met my mother? She’ll be planning a wedding before we ever set foot in the door.” Elana shakes her head.
“I have met her. And I get your point. How do you want to handle this?” I ask.
“I’ll tell her the truth,” Elana says. “We’re working together and need a place to spend the night. She and my dad don’t need to know anything else. At least not right now.”
Not right now. The words and everything they imply keep ringing through my mind as we walk inside to make plans to save the day.
Chapter Five
Elana
“What are your intentions with my daughter, young man?” my father asks Ryan. The two of them are standing over the grill, watching the steaks sizzle away.
I’m about to come to Ryan’s rescue when my mother’s hand stops me.
“We’re not together, Dad,” I call across the back deck.
