GRACE MET HER FRIENDS Shanice Tyson, Ashley O’Toole, and Nicole Torres at their favorite Sunday-after-church diner. Shanice looked disappointed. “Where’s our little man?”
“He’s at home with Selah. He had a fever. I was up and down with him most of the night. He’s fine this morning, but sleepy.” Grace had given in to Selah’s desire to keep Samuel home. She wanted to go to church and have her weekly time out with friends. This lunch gathering had become a lifeline. Talking with her friends helped her work through things. And she needed to talk over her situation with Roman Velasco and get their input.
A kindergarten teacher, Ashley dealt with helicopter parents.
Nicole worked as a paralegal for a law firm and had a hopeless crush on Charles, her work-obsessed boss.
Shanice, the wild one, had graduated from NYU, taken a year off to travel, and landed a studio job where she was on a set design team. She’d met movie stars and said they were no different from anyone else, even though some of them thought they were. Now she was telling the others about her latest job assignment. “The director wants to film in Utah at the salt flats. The place has the right alien-planet look.”
“Will you get to go?” Ashley dreamed of traveling anywhere outside Southern California. Hooked on old-fashioned Regency romances, she longed to go to England and stay in a castle, preferably one with an eligible and aristocratic bachelor in residence.
“Not if I can help it.” Shanice snorted. “It’s hotter than hades in the summer. Mono Lake is closer and more interesting, but they said Utah, and Utah gives tax credits.”
“I have a book on Mono Lake.” Ashley emptied three packets of Splenda into her coffee.
Nicole sipped hers black. “Pastor Jack was on a roll this morning. He doesn’t usually talk for a full hour. I thought he’d never stop.”
“Ironic you should complain.” Shanice smirked. “Since his sermon was on complaining.”
They all laughed with her.
“You’re awfully quiet, Grace.” Shanice raised her brows. “How’s the temp job going? It’s been, what, a month now? You thought you might only stay two weeks.”
“I’m thinking of putting in my notice with the agency.”
“Why?” Ashley looked surprised. “Roman Velasco is fascinating! And he’s gorgeous, and if that isn’t enough, he’s single!” The others stared at her. “I googled him.” She leaned forward, eager to share. “He started doing murals when he was a teenager. Now he works on canvas. Did you know art collectors line up to bid on his work?”
“He still does murals.” Grace gave the waitress her order and handed back the menu. She’d overslept this morning and had no time for breakfast. Now she was starving, as well as exhausted. “He’s under contract for a project in San Diego.”
Ashley’s eyes brightened. “What’s it going to be?”
“Wildebeests and zebras migrating across the Serengeti.” Grace sipped coffee, hoping the caffeine would give her a boost.
Nicole wasn’t interested in the mural. “Why do you want to leave? It’s the only job you’ve been able to find.”
Shanice gave a derisive laugh. “Gorgeous? Single? And has a reputation as a player?” She shrugged. “Okay. I googled him, too.” She gave Grace a sympathetic look. “Too much like Patrick?”
“Actually, he’s nothing like Patrick. He works hard, for one thing. And Patrick had charm. Roman Velasco acts like a bear with his foot in a trap. I’ve never met anyone so discontented, or so quick to lose his temper. You know I almost quit on the first day. He’s frustrated with his work, not mine. I don’t think he likes what he’s doing.” She put her coffee cup down. “The man has the most incredible view I’ve ever seen and never gives it more than a passing glance. He turned the master bedroom into his art studio. I think he practices on the back wall and then covers whatever he’s doing with some awful color that looks like a dirty swamp. His language is enough to peel paint.”
Shanice looked worried. “Is he verbally abusive to you?”
“No. He’s cautiously polite when I’m around, but the house is practically empty. His voice carries.”
“You must be attracted to him.” Ashley looked dreamy-eyed. “I mean, who wouldn’t be?”
“Handsome is as handsome does, my granny used to say.” Shanice’s phone buzzed. She gave it a cursory glance and put it on mute. “Grace has reason to be careful.”
Grace couldn’t agree more. “My guard went up the minute I saw him.”
“Why?” Nicole studied her.
To avoid the scrutiny, Grace looked down while she smoothed her napkin across her lap. “He’s living the American dream and seems to hate his life. It’s what I notice whenever I have a conversation with him that lasts longer than two minutes.” She let out her breath. “The thing is, I’m exhausted. The commute can take up to two hours each way. I’m lucky to have an hour to play with Samuel. I’ll never have the energy to take online classes. And the money isn’t very good. I don’t know what he pays the temp agency, but I’m barely making ends meet. I need a regular job with better pay so I can be on my own again.”
Nicole frowned. “Are the Garcias pushing you out?”
“No, but Selah is taking over completely. I think she’s glad I’m away all day.” She blinked back tears. “Samuel is becoming very attached to her.”
Shanice leaned forward. “You’re still his mother, Grace.”
“Does he know that?”
“Of course he does, honey.”
“Better keep the job until you have another lined up,” Nicole suggested.
“I think so, too,” Ashley chimed in. Even with tenure, Ashley never took her teaching job for granted. The school district budget could bring layoffs.
“I know, but I still have to try. I have two interviews coming up. I’ve already put Mr. Velasco’s office in order. The next temp will have no problem maintaining the system if he hires a replacement quickly.”
“Sounds like he’s satisfied with the way things are.”
Grace looked at Shanice. “I’m sure he is, and I’m also sure once the word is out, he’ll have women lined up at the door, eager to replace me.”
Roman always knew when Grace Moore came into the studio. The air in the room changed. He’d finished another transfer and was taking a break, sketching ideas for a new series of canvases while pretending he didn’t know she was standing in the doorway. She cleared her throat softly. He looked over his shoulder. “What’s up?”
She tucked a short strand of hair behind her ear. A nervous gesture? “I have to leave early Wednesday and Friday next week. I have two job interviews scheduled.”
His pulse shot up. He thought everything had been going so well. “You already have a job. You work for me.”
“You pay the temp agency for my services, Mr. Velasco. And I told you—I need to find a better-paying job, closer to home.”
“Are you late getting home to fix dinner for your partner?” She wasn’t wearing a ring, but that didn’t mean she didn’t have a significant other in her life.
“Everything is caught up in the office, and I—”
“Where do you live?” Roman faced her, determined to fix whatever needed fixing.
“Burbank.”
“It’s not that far, less than twenty miles as the crow flies.”
“I’m not a crow. I spend hours in my car every day, time I . . .” She hesitated. “Time better spent in other ways.”
What other ways? he wanted to ask, but figured she’d tell him it was none of his business. In truth, it wasn’t, but he still wanted to know. She wasn’t giving him a chance to pry.
“Your office is organized, and I’ve written a brief procedures manual for your next personal assistant. I’m not leaving immediately, but I thought I should let you know I’ll be leaving as soon as I find another position more conducive to my needs.” She took a step back, clearly eager to put an end to the conversation.
“Not so fast.” The stool scraped across the floor as he stood. “I’m not hiring another temp.”
“That’s your decision.” She shrugged as if she didn’t care what he did. “The filing system is straightforward. You could manage it by yourself.”
“The last thing I want to be is an office lackey.”
She raised her chin. “It’s not exactly what I dream of doing for the rest of my life, either. You have the option of hiring someone to do it for you.”
Roman muttered a curse under his breath. “Look. We work well together. What do I have to do to keep you here?”
“We don’t work together.”
“You do your job so I can do mine. That’s the way I like it. You don’t like the money. Okay. I’ll pay the fee and you can work for me instead of the agency. You don’t like the commute. Okay. You can live in my guest cottage. Both problems solved.” The expression on her face was downright insulting. “What’s the matter with the offer? I’m not asking you to move in with me. You’re not my type, and I can guarantee I won’t be bothering you.” He wasn’t sure the blush was due to anger or embarrassment, but he knew he’d said more than enough.
“And what will the neighbors say?”
He couldn’t tell if she was serious or joking. “What neighbors? And even if I did have neighbors close enough to see anything, why would they care what we do?”
“I have friends, even if you don’t.”
She punched low. She wanted out. Because of him? Or were there other reasons? Roman clenched his teeth. What was it with this woman? “We’re adults, Ms. Moore. Good friends won’t tell you how to live. Your life is your business.”
“They keep me accountable.”
“To them?”
“God cares what I do, and my friends love me enough to hold up a warning sign if I’m heading the wrong way.”
God? How did God get into this conversation? Roman didn’t understand what she was talking about. All he knew was he didn’t want to lose her. He spoke slowly, reasonably, while thinking fast. “Invite them up. Let them look around.” He tried a little charm. “A rent-free cottage in Topanga Canyon? They’ll think you’ve died and gone to heaven.”
“Until they meet you.”
He could tell she hadn’t meant to say that when her cheeks bloomed crimson. “Nice.” He gave a low, mirthless laugh. She didn’t offer an apology. He tilted his head, giving her a wry look. “I didn’t say you could invite them into my house.” She couldn’t hold his stare. “Just think about it. I’ll start you off at what I pay the agency.” When he told her how much that was, her eyes widened. “Add free housing to that raise, and you’ll be doing pretty well for yourself, won’t you?” He could see her making calculations already, but also carrying on an inner debate whether the offer was worth working for him. He’d never had that effect on a woman before. Did it all go back to his bad behavior on the first day? Or was there more to her aversion?
“I’ll have to pay you rent.”
Was she from another planet? At least she was starting to consider the idea. “As you already know, I don’t need the money.”
“Nevertheless. I wouldn’t be your guest, Mr. Velasco. I’d be your tenant.” She seemed to catch herself and added quickly, “If I agreed to the arrangement, which I haven’t.”
Yet. He could see her weakening. He’d never had to negotiate with a woman and found it vaguely unsettling. Maybe she sensed he wasn’t what he pretended to be. “It’d solve all your problems, wouldn’t it?”
“Not all of them.” She took another step back. “I’d better get to work.”
What other problems did she have? “You said you were all caught up. Why don’t we talk?”
“Whatever I decide, I appreciate the offer.”
He’d never met anyone less eager to talk about themselves than he was. “Okay, but think it over carefully before you say no.”
“I will.”
The more Roman thought about it, the better he liked the idea of Grace Moore being his next-door neighbor.
Grace called her friends, and they agreed to talk it over during Sunday lunch. She brought Samuel this time, and they all fussed over him. He loved the attention. She dug into her tote bag for baby food and then gave him a bottle while the others talked about a new praise band member who was teaching the Wednesday evening Bible study. Grace brought up Roman Velasco’s offer.
Ashley forgot all about the new guitarist with a voice like Josh Groban. “What are you waiting for, Grace? He’s not asking you to move in with him. You’d have your own place again. Isn’t that what you want?”
Nicole wasn’t so eager. “You’d better make sure you have a written rental agreement. Without it, he could change the rules anytime he wanted.”
“Whoa, girlfriends.” Shanice jumped in. “Obviously, Grace is doing a great job or the guy wouldn’t make such a generous offer to keep her working for him.” She looked at Grace. “What I want to know is what else is going on here.” She raised her brows. “Come on, girl. Give.”
Grace shook her head. “Nothing is going on.”
“Have you prayed about it?”
“Constantly. I’m still praying.” Grace looked at the three. “It seems to be a gift from God, or am I just desperate to find any way to be on my own again? It solves one problem, but creates another.”
Nicole spoke up. “It would give you a big boost on the financial side.”
“And save you all that time on the road,” Ashley agreed.
Grace wavered. “What about Samuel?”
Shanice put a hand over Grace’s. “Selah and Ruben could keep him weekdays, until you can find childcare nearby. And you’d have him all to yourself on the weekends. Maybe this is the step toward independence you’ve been looking for.”
“You could take online classes,” Ashley added. “It’s been a while since you’ve had the time or money to go back to school. Instead of three hours a day on the road, you’d have three hours of study time.”
Grace fought tears. She looked at Samuel asleep in her arms. “I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to make any more mistakes.”
Shanice’s dark eyes grew moist. “You’ve had more than your share of heartache, honey, but sometimes what looks like a gift is a gift.”
“I just want to be sure I’m not setting myself up for more trouble. If you all wouldn’t mind, I’d like you to come up and see the place, and meet Roman Velasco. I want your impressions of the man before I give him any kind of answer.”
Grace told Roman Monday morning that she’d consulted three friends. “They’re free Saturday morning, if that’s convenient for you. We won’t take up much of your time.”
His mouth tipped. “You mean they’re checking me out, making sure I’m not some wolf after a lamb.” He waited, leaving her with the feeling she should say something. But what? She couldn’t pretend she trusted him. She barely knew the man, and her instincts had failed her before. Everyone had seemed to know what sort of man Patrick was. How had she been so blind? She’d been enamored by his looks and popularity in the beginning. Later, she wanted to believe what he said. She’d overlooked warning signs and plunged ahead, convincing herself she loved him. The truth was a cold slap in her face, and he hadn’t tried to soften the blow.
“Okay, Ms. Moore.” Velasco’s expression grew wry. “I guess a girl can’t be too careful these days, right? Are you still going on those interviews?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t expect me to wish you good luck.” Annoyed, he entered his studio.
On Wednesday, Grace prayed all the way to the first interview, in a downtown office building. God, if You’re the one bringing all this about, please give me a clear message. I’d be right next door to Roman Velasco. He’d be boss, landlord, and neighbor. He’s deep water, Lord, and I’m a lousy swimmer.
The receptionist gave Grace forms to fill out. She sat in a waiting room with half a dozen other women coated in confidence, several with leather briefcases, wearing designer suits and three-inch heels. When Grace’s turn came, the gentleman shook her hand and sat facing her from behind his polished mahogany desk. He’d already perused her application and references. He was polite. The interview lasted six minutes. He thanked her for coming in and wished her well.
As she walked back to her car, her phone alerted her that she’d missed a call. The message said her Friday interview was canceled, the position filled.
Grace brought Samuel with her on Saturday morning. Roman Velasco’s driveway was hard to spot, so she stopped and waited just off the road, where Shanice would be sure to see her car. A few minutes before they were due to arrive, Shanice’s yellow Volvo roared around the curve. Grace honked. Shanice’s brakes squealed as she turned onto the macadam drive. Grace led the way around the giant valley oak and along the curve down to the main house.
Glancing in the rearview mirror, Grace saw her friends gaping at Roman Velasco’s modern beige stone house, a fortress tucked against the hillside. Square cement pavers floated in a sea of black pebbles up to heavy, carved wooden double doors, where blue-green, pink, and mauve rosettes of echeveria and spiked agave spilled over two large terra-cotta pots. Instead of staying on the gravel circle, she took the short drive to the right and pulled in close to the cottage.
Shanice parked behind Grace and got out of her car. “Thanks for watching for us. I would’ve missed the driveway if Ashley hadn’t spotted your car.”
“I know. I missed it three times my first day of work.” Grace unlatched Samuel’s car seat from its base. Still half-asleep, he sucked his thumb as she led the trio along the pathway to the front of the house. A stone wall curved around the paver patio, complete with fire pit. Ashley and Nicole paused to comment on the gorgeous view of the canyon while Shanice took Samuel’s carrier so Grace could dig into her pocket for the key Roman had given her.
As soon as Grace walked in, she knew she was in deep trouble. Shanice followed closely behind and gasped.
The living room alone was bigger than the apartment Grace had shared with Patrick. The kitchen was small, but efficient, everything state-of-the-art. Rather than linoleum, the floor was expensive cream-colored travertine. Grace stood rooted in shock. Swooning, Ashley and Nicole pushed past her and went exploring.
“Oh, wow!” Ashley cried out. “Come look at the bedroom!” Numb, Grace followed and stared. A California king-size bedroom set would fit easily, if she had one. Her twin bed and nightstand would be lost in here. One door opened into a walk-in closet bigger than her bedroom at the Garcia home.
“Wait until you see the bathroom!” Ashley laughed in wonder.
Grace admired the yellow-and-white marble floor and counter, two white porcelain sinks with shiny chrome fixtures, a Jacuzzi tub big enough for two.
Nicole stepped into the small hideaway lavatory and flushed the toilet. She squealed with delight. “It’s an integrated toilet and bidet!”
Ashley opened a shower door. “There’s a rainfall showerhead and jets in the walls!”
“And you’re wondering if you should move in?” Nicole laughed. “This place is fantastic!”
“Tone it down, girls.” Shanice spoke with less enthusiasm. “We’ve yet to meet the commander of the fortress.”
Roman debated whether to wear his usual jeans and T-shirt or put on more formal slacks and tuck in a button-down shirt, but knew Grace would be immediately suspicious. So, he cranked up his usual style with black jeans and a navy-blue polo, front tucked in behind a brass anchor buckle. He raked his hands through his hair. Maybe he should’ve shaved, but he didn’t want to look like this meeting was the biggest event of his weekend. Even if it was.
Why should this girl’s opinion matter to him?
Because she had class, and having her around reminded him how far he had come up in the world. Unlike other women, who just wanted to drag him back down again.
Roman saw the cars arrive from an upper window, but waited another twenty minutes before strolling the paver walkway between the main house and the cottage. If she accepted his offer, she’d be living less than a thousand feet away. He wouldn’t be entirely alone out here, not that it had bothered him all that much until now.
The front door stood open, and women’s happy, excited voices drifted out. Unfortunately, Grace’s wasn’t one of them. He knocked on the doorjamb to announce his presence. Grace appeared, her expression enigmatic. “We were just looking around.”
“I know.”
She stepped aside so Roman could enter and introduced him to her three friends. Strawberry-blonde Ashley O’Toole stared at him with wide blue eyes. Nicole Torres shook his hand firmly. Shanice Tyson looked closer to the kind of girl he understood. Experienced, tough, street-smart, even if she was wearing designer clothes. She held a baby on her hip and gave him a polite, if somewhat cool, nod. He caught the wind of distrust blowing from her direction, the alpha female he’d have to win over.
He extended his hand to Shanice first and looked her straight in the eye. “It’s good to know Ms. Moore has friends who look out for her.” He included the other two women with a glance. Grace stood by, watchful, noncommittal. She wasn’t going to be rushed into any decision, not this girl. Roman told her he was on his way out for the afternoon—a lie, but good for a quick exit. “I’ll leave you all to discuss the pros and cons.”
Grace walked him out the door. “It’s far more than I expected.”
“It’s just standing here, empty.” Would that be enough to silence any further doubts? “It’s yours if you want it.”
“I still need to think about it.”
What had her so worried? “Talk it over with your friends. I want you to feel comfortable with your decision.” Comfortable enough to move in, anyway. “I’ll see you Monday morning, Ms. Moore.”
Roman walked along the path to the main house. He could feel her gaze fixed on him, but didn’t look back. He recognized defensive walls when he saw them. He had them, too. He’d give her the same space and courtesy he wanted. For now.
On edge, he decided to turn the lie into truth and went for a long drive. He needed to clear his head. Or put something else in it besides curious thoughts about his personal assistant, where she came from, and what made her tick.
Grace and her friends talked it over.
Ashley giggled. “I can understand the temptation. How do you concentrate on work around a man like that?” She fanned herself.
“He’s in his studio. I’m in the office.”
Nicole, more practical, offered advice. “If you have a written agreement, you’ll be all right. That way, he can’t change the rules. I can have one ready for you by church tomorrow.”
Shanice jumped in. “Obviously, Grace has reservations or she wouldn’t have invited us up here to see the place and meet Velasco. Now that we’ve seen him, we know why.” She nodded. “He looks like a player.”
“Just because he’s handsome?” Ashley came to Roman’s defense. “Have you seen him in a club?”
“I haven’t been to a club for over a year, Ashley, and you know why.”
“He seemed polite enough. We shouldn’t judge,” Nicole remarked.
Shanice gave her a steely-eyed look.
“He didn’t give any indication that he’s putting the moves on Grace. He called her Ms. Moore.” Ashley sounded annoyed.
Shanice raised a brow at Grace. “Any instincts about the guy when you’re alone with him? Any vibes?”
“No. He made a point of telling me I’m not his type.”
“Okay.” Nicole spread her hands. “So, I’ll ask the obvious question. What’s the problem?”
Grace had to think about it. “Once I’m in, it’ll be hard to get out.”
Shanice ran her hand over Samuel’s head and looked at Grace. “Are you talking about the house or the job?”
“Both.” Grace took Samuel. “I don’t want to do anything stupid.” She glanced around the cottage, and temptation gripped her. She’d never be able to afford a place like this. She’d be lucky to find a one-room flat, and what sort of life would that be for Samuel?
“You like the place, don’t you?” Shanice asked.
“Who wouldn’t?”
Nicole let out her breath. “Roman Velasco offered you this place for free. Right? You could offer him the same rent you paid on the apartment in Westwood. Paying Velasco rent will keep this a business transaction. You won’t be vulnerable. You needn’t feel obligated in any way.”
Grace kissed Samuel’s warm, rosy cheeks. “I wouldn’t see my son Monday through Thursday.”
“But you’d have him Friday night through Sunday,” Ashley reasoned. “Without Selah. And once you find childcare, you could have him with you whenever you’re not working. I’m sure there are other children up here in the canyon.”
“Probably with nannies,” Shanice put in. She touched Grace’s arm. “Are you worried about Selah and Ruben? The arrangement was always supposed to be temporary.”
“She’s become very attached.”
“So have I.” Shanice tickled his chin and got a giggle. “You know I’d take you both in, if I didn’t already have a roommate.”
“I’d kill for a place like this.” Nicole sighed. “And think about the other advantages. The time you’ll save commuting. Time you can use for online classes. The more education you have, the better your opportunities. If this job doesn’t work out.” Her cell phone chimed. She dug it from her purse and checked the text. “It’s Charles.”
Shanice glanced at her phone. “Time to head back, girls.” She blew a raspberry against Samuel’s neck. “See you, snookums.” She kissed Grace’s cheek. “This place looks like a gift from the Lord, honey. I think you can handle Velasco.”
Ashley brightened. “I have an idea! Instead of going to the café next Sunday for our get-together, why don’t we each bring something up here?” She looked at Grace. “What do you say?”
“Make it two weeks. I have to move in first.”
Grace waved as Shanice backed out, picked up speed on the gravel turn, and shot up the driveway. Shaking her head, Grace smiled. Her friend had a lead foot and good reflexes.
Grace changed Samuel’s diaper before she settled him into the car seat. He’d be asleep before she reached the road.
With the increase in salary and a nice place to live, she’d be able to make plans. She could afford childcare. She could take online courses toward her degree. Nicole was right. She would have extra hours for study. She had done well enough in high school to earn a scholarship to UCLA. Her goals had gotten derailed when she ran into Patrick Moore.
Glancing toward the main house, she wondered if Roman Velasco was still at home, but decided it would be better to wait until Monday before saying anything.