Chapter 41
Moment of Truth
Martin hated to say anything but he could tell something was wrong. Randi was too quiet. She didn’t appear to be angry and she hadn’t mentioned Celia. He wanted to ask her what was going on, but he couldn’t. He knew he was going to have to get over his fear of messing this relationship up, as he had done so many times before.
If he and Randi were going to get anywhere, they were both going to have to start speaking their mind. He waited for a moment, took a drink of tea and spoke, “Mind if I ask what has your attention?”
Randi looked up. He could tell she was surprised he’d noticed anything. And, in her voice, he could hear that she sounded tired or upset.
“I didn’t want to let it show, but I guess it’s just weighing on my mind too much.” She took a drink of soda and seemed to be thinking something over. “I hate to sound like a teenager, but it’s my mother. She wants us to stop dating. Well, it’s worse than that. She’s going to kick me out when she finds out I was with you this evening.”
“Wow. I wasn’t expecting that. I figured it was one of the pups, or work.”
“No.” Randi let out a deep sigh. “They’re fine, and work is work. I just don’t know what I’m going to tell her when I get home and she sees that monster of a truck pulling out of the driveway.”
Martin leaned back. He wasn’t sure how to feel. He wanted to say several things, but this was Randi’s mother and she loved her, though it was obvious she disagreed with her. “Is this because of Celia?”
Randi shook her head. It wasn’t easy for her to meet his gaze as she spoke. “It could be. I think most of it is the lifestyle of most movie stars in general. Not many of them stay married to one person and they have kids with this person and that. I know part of it is the love scenes because she told me I didn’t need to date someone who was paid to sleep with women for a living.”
“Ouch.”
“I know. She’s old fashioned, and you may not like to hear this, but I can see some of her points.” Randi reached across the table and took his hand. “But, it’s not fair to judge one person by a whole industry. Some stars manage to stay married for years, and I’m sure it’s not easy, but they make it work. And, besides all of that, she doesn’t even know you!”
Martin nodded. He didn’t know what to say. He didn’t like the way this was making him feel. Randi’s mother was judging him and he didn’t like the place it was putting Randi. He could feel his pride rising up urging him to pull back from Randi. But, this wasn’t her fault. If he wasn’t careful about how he proceeded, he could make a big mistake.
He squeezed her hand pushing down the pride and the ugly comments that could have come, and instead, went down a different path. “I’m going to ask something that I may regret. What are you going to do?”
The smile that came over her lips and the way she leaned closer melted most of the anger he was feeling. “I’m not sure. I’m hoping if I tell her I’m moving in with you, she’ll change her mind.”
Martin smiled and reached to push back his plate but Randi laughed and pushed it back onto its’ spot. She let go of his hand and spoke.
“You’d better finish that meal, and don’t get your hopes up. I’m not moving in with you like that. When this finger gets a ring on it, then you can get excited and that smile can return to your lips, but not until then.”
“Hey, you’re the one who opened that door.”
“Yes, and I’m closing it. I will tell her I’m moving in and I’m going to sleep on your couch, and we’ll take it from there.”
“I’d never let you sleep on the couch, and if worse comes to worse, you can stay at the mansion with Celia.” He thought she might slap him but instead he could see the wheels turning. He shook his head ‘no’. “I was just kidding. I don’t think that would be a smart move.”
“No, it might not be a smart move, but I would consider it.”
“You’re a brave woman,” he said, taking the last bite of his steak.
“It’s not something I would look forward to, but I could keep an eye on her, and there would be plenty of room for the pups.”
“We’ll try to think of something else. Remember, I said I wanted to stay out of the news not have them parked outside of the mansion waiting on one of you to start a fight.”
Randi laughed. “I’m hoping Mom will back down. Who knows? The mood she’s in right now, she might call my bluff. I don’t want to spend any more time with Celia than I have. Now that I think of it, I might not feel safe staying in the same house. But, I would like to see the look on her face.”
“You are cruel, Randi Sanders. I don’t think she could do much to you. Mike says she’s in a wheelchair and will be on crutches before she can get around good.”
“I’m sorry. When it comes to most people, I’m an angel, and if we ever do meet, I’ll be polite. I just want her to know that you are off the market.”
“I think she knows, and you need to know that if she wasn’t flat broke, she would not be in that house. It’s not what I wanted to do, but what I felt I should do.”
Randi smiled. “I’m not complaining, but I don’t have to like it. I understand why you let her stay. I’m sure you feel guilty for the way you acted. I believe you when you say you didn’t set out to deceive anyone.”
“I’m glad you do, and I didn’t.”
“I know, and when I step back from the jealousy, I can see that you feel obligated to help her get back on her feet. She’s homeless, and until she’s able to get a job, or go back to live with her parents, you’ll be taking care of her.”
“There is no need to feel jealous. There is nothing about Celia that I want, other than to see her healthy and working. Mike’s helping by staying at the house and that is a big help to me. If he wasn’t there, I don’t know what I would do.”
“What’s going on with those two anyway?” Randi asked.
“I have no idea. Love can come at you out of nowhere. I was surprised when he started taking up for her. Before the breakup, he was always asking me why was I dating her? Or, what did we have in common? I don’t know if he feels guilty or if he thinks he had something to do with the breakup. He didn’t, but I’m not sure he understands that.”
“I was around him and I think he has feelings for Celia.”
Martin nodded. “I think you could be right, but I also know something else.” Martin leaned forward and grinned.
“What’s that?”
“It’s time we change the subject. We might need to go shopping.”
“Shopping? Why?”
“All kinds of things… sheets, pillows, towels, and tell me, exactly how many suitcases will you need?”
“Are you going to move me in with Celia after all?”
Martin smiled and shook his head. “No. I’m moving you in with me.”