“Got it,” replied Mark with a firm nod.
“Mark?”
“Yeah?” He grabbed his keys.
“You’re right about Allie—she’s not the type to stir this up.”
“No, she’s not.”
“You’ve got to help her—she’ll drown in all this.”
“I’m on my way to pick her up right now.”
“You can’t go there right now. I’m sure there’s press all over the place.”
Mark groaned. If he went charging in like a bull with a burr in its tail, he’d only feed the sharks. “What are we going to do?”
“Meet me at the office.”
“I’m saying it again—you’re wonderful.”
“Well, up until now, you’ve been an ideal boss. If you stir up much more trouble I may have to quit.”
“Empty threats.”
She laughed and they said goodbye.
The pictures were bad, a small scandal he could do without for Chloe’s sake, but nothing they couldn’t contain. Except that he really needed to not just seem stable, but really be that kind of a dad for his daughter. Was he putting his own desires before the welfare of his child? The thought plagued him as he drove through Atlanta towards Kate’s office. If this was going to blow over, he’d need to handle the press just right or the whole situation could blow up in his face. Not only would the paparazzi poison his relationship with Allie, they’d ensure that he never got full custody of his daughter.
Chapter Ten
Allie couldn’t help the stupid big smile plastered across her face as she smoothed out the wrinkles on her favorite Sunday dress. Her lips had done little else besides smile since Mark’s kiss. How would she ever let another man touch her lips after experiencing a moment like that? She couldn’t. Mark was the guy for her. She knew exactly how silly and stupid she sounded, but she didn’t care. She’d meant what she said yesterday—he was different. Different from what she imagined a movie star to be like; different from all the other men she’d had in her life; different in the best of ways.
She giggled and pressed her fingers to her mouth as she opened the street door on her way to church.
Cameras clicked and flashes blinded her. She put her hands in front of her face, confused by the onslaught. “What’s going on?” she asked the man next to her holding his phone in her face.
“Is it true that you had lunch with Mark Dubois?” His tone was accusatory, like sharing a meal was a crime and she’d been tried and convicted.
Her defensive mechanisms kicked in. “Yes, but it was for charity.”
“Did you spend the night with him?” asked a woman with impossibly thin lips.
She hesitated. “No, I mean, not really. Not in the way you’re implying.”
“How does it feel to be the other woman?” asked a balding man whose shirt buttons were tested to their limits by his pot belly.
“Now see here—”
Just as she was about to set the record straight, Kate pushed through the crowd and hooked her arm around Allie.
“Tell them I’m not some floozy,” she insisted as Kate pushed her way through the crowd dragging Allie along. Body parts, cameras, and bags slammed into her stomach and shoulders.
“Don’t make eye contact,” Kate instructed. “Don’t respond. Just get in the car.”
Allie landed in the back seat of an SUV with tinted windows. Kate shoved her over and climbed in after her.
Allie stared out the back window. “How can they say those things?”
“They’re trying to get a reaction out of you.”
“They’re good at their jobs.” Allie held up her hand to show how hard it shook. The knife of words they’d shoved into her gut twisted and turned. They didn’t know her. She was a good person—at least, she always thought she was. “What did they mean, I’m the other woman?”
“You’ve got to ignore them, Allie. You can’t answer their questions. You can’t smile for the cameras. And you can’t get angry. Just put your head down and push your way through. They aren’t allowed to touch you so they’ll throw verbal darts, but if you move forward they have to get out of the way.”
Allie nodded, her forehead tense. “How long will they stay?” She couldn’t imagine having to fight her way out of the building to go to work every day. Or, heaven forbid, have them follow her to the café. Although William would love the exposure. He wouldn’t care what they said about Allie as long as they bought coffee and sandwiches.
“We’re working on a containment plan. I’ve got a meeting later today that should help smooth this over.”
“Is this … normal?”
Kate blew out a breath. “For some stars this is a Tuesday afternoon. But the attention is unusual for Mark. He keeps a low profile.”
Allie’s phone beeped. It was a text from the woman who played piano for the children’s choir asking if they were going to go over a song to sing for Mother’s Day in May. Allie bit her lip, unsure if she’d make practice today. She hadn’t missed a Sunday in over a year, but didn’t want to bring all this to the innocent children she taught. “Where are we going?”
“To church.”
“This isn’t the way to my church.”
“We have to lose a few of the reporters on our tail and then I’ll drop you off. You should get there in plenty of time for services.”
“Thanks.” Allie sent a reply to her pianist, then fiddled with her phone until they arrived.
Kate handed her a short black jacket. “Here, put this on, just in case. And tuck your hair into the collar.”
Allie did as instructed and they made their way inside. The organ blasted hymns. “Sorry,” Allie told Kate, “Mrs. Johnson doesn’t wear her hearing aids when she plays.” She spoke in a normal voice because a whisper wouldn’t have been heard over the pipes. “They switch to the piano about five minutes before service begins.”
Kate put her hand on Allie’s arm. “It’s fine. I’ve got to make a few phone calls, so I’m going to step outside.”
Allie nodded and took a seat near the back of the chapel. She took a deep, calming breath and let her thoughts travel up to the vaulted ceilings and strong support beams. The stained-glass window behind the pulpit blazed with mid-morning sunlight.
Mrs. Johnson came to an abrupt stop in her playing—she quit at five minutes to ten whether the song was done or not so she’d have time to get settled before the preaching began. A few children turned in their seats and waved at Allie. She returned their greetings, finally feeling safe. These people knew her. They trusted her with their children. Everything would be okay. Kate had said so.
The pastor’s wife tickled the ivories in a soothing rendition of “How Great Thou Art.”
Allie breathed deep, opening her heart to peace—hoping to find some after her crazy morning. She felt someone sit next to her and found a poised young girl with familiar turquoise eyes. “Can I sit here?” she asked.
“Sure.” Allie glanced around for the girl’s parents. “Where’s your mom or dad?”
The girl slouched. “My mom is at the spa and my dad is coming. He had to park the car. But he told me to find the prettiest woman in the room and sit next to her.”
“Oh.” Allie pressed her hand to her heart. “That’s really nice of you to say.”
The girl cocked her head in a way that seemed familiar to Allie. “You’re two kinds of pretty.”
Allie blinked. “I didn’t know there were two kinds of pretty.”
“There’s the kind of pretty my mom likes—where you have smooth skin and a rockin’ bod. And there’s the kind of pretty my dad likes—where you’re kind to others and junk like that.”
Allie worked to keep her face straight. This girl was a hoot. “I’m going to take that as a compliment.”
She shrugged just as a large guy with a ridiculous man-bun sat down next to the girl and put his arm over the back of the pew, his hand resting on Allie’s shoulder.
Allie shook him off. “Do
I know you?” she asked.
“We’ve met before, but it could be too soon to share a bench,” came the reply.
A slow smile tickled across her lips as she took in Mark’s gorgeous face. Her gaze roamed over his wig and the ill-fitting jacket. “Do you always dress up for church?” she teased.
Mark’s jaw hardened. “Only when I’m avoiding press.”
“Ah.” Allie turned her attention to the girl. “You must be Chloe.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
A woman in huge sunglasses and a white trench coat tapped Mark on the shoulder and took the seat behind them. He glanced once and then did a double take. “Aspen?”
She nodded.
“I thought you didn’t do church?” Mark glanced at Allie, worry lines carving into his forehead.
“Uh-oh,” said Chloe.
Allie gripped her purse straps. She wasn’t sure who this was, but she got the sense that this woman felt as if she owned a bit of Mark and didn’t take kindly to Allie moving in on her territory.
She squeezed until the stitching imprinted on her palms. Maybe she was the other woman.
“Are you insane?” she asked Mark. “We had a good thing going and you threw me away for a church mouse.”
“Aspen, what we had wasn’t real.” Mark’s voice was firm, final.
“That doesn’t matter,” hissed Aspen. “By noon the world will think you’ve cheated on me. Me, Mark! I don’t get cheated on. The only reason I agreed to all this was because you were a boy scout. How could you do this to me?”
Mark’s shoulders fell. “I’m sorry, Aspen.” His eyes cut to Allie. “I didn’t plan on falling for Allie—”
“Do you think that matters?” She cursed, and several people turned around to gape.
Allie gave them a small wave, her face flaming. “Can we take this outside?” she begged.
“You’d love that drama, wouldn’t you?” snapped Aspen.
“Hey, now.” Mark held up his hand.
“Don’t get all defensive on her behalf. She’s caused enough problems.”
“So let’s put it to rest. We’ll tell everyone we broke up a couple weeks ago. I’ll even tell them you broke up with me.”
Aspen glared. “I’ll let our PR handle that.” Her brows came together. “I’m disappointed. I thought you were better than this.”
Mark reached across Chloe and took Allie’s hand. “I acted impulsively, I’ll admit. But I don’t regret what’s happening here.”
“Not that—her!” Aspen pointed to Allie. “Look at her, she’s a nobody. It’s so insulting to be fake-dumped for a, a waitress.” The disdain that dripped from her words stained the church carpet.
Allie’s arms went slack in shock.
Mark came out of his seat. He glared down at Aspen, an intimidating image. “It’s time for you to go.”
“Fine.” Aspen stood in one fluid motion, her grace not abandoning her in her moment of indignation. “I think a little drama is exactly what my career needs right now. I’ve decided to play up my scorned woman part in all this.”
“Why?” asked Mark, his face full of stress.
“You’re the one who likes to give things away—if I destroy you, I can build my career on the rubble.”
Mark’s jaw about unhinged. Chloe leaned into Allie. A small whimper escaped her lips. The poor girl. Allie glared at Aspen. How dare she threaten Mark in front of his daughter. Allie’s arm went around her in a protective gesture.
Allie stared after Aspen as she left. A half of a breath later, Kate shoved through the doors.
“What was Aspen doing here?” she asked.
Mark filled her in quickly.
Allie looked down at Chloe, who had seemed so grown-up when she sat down but who now looked like a lost little girl.
Mark dug his fingers into his wig. “What does this mean, Kate?”
“It’s bad.” Her head dipped toward Chloe, indicating that their situation would affect even her.
Allie felt the hot darts of unfair tears. Unfair? This was just how her life went. Every time she found a ray of sunshine, the clouds rolled in. “But if I go away, this all goes away too, right?”
“No, Allie.” Mark cupped her elbow.
Allie looked to Kate for an honest answer. Kate nodded once.
“Can you give me a ride to work? I’ll hide out there until closing,” she asked Kate.
“Don’t do this,” Mark begged.
Allie smiled at Chloe. Dear, sweet Chloe who needed her father. Her gaze came up to Mark. Wonderful. Perfect. Mark, who needed employment, custody of his daughter, and a clean slate to propel Waters without Borders and Teens on Target forward. She shouldn’t taint him with her storm clouds.
Dropping down to Chloe’s level, she squeezed the girl’s hand. “It was very nice to meet you. For the record, you are two kinds of pretty, too.”
Chloe smiled. “It was nice to meet you, ma’am.”
Mark moved to follow her out.
Allie wrung her hands. “I can’t hurt that little girl, Mark.”
“You don’t understand. She needs you more than you know. I need you.” He put his hands over his heart. “You’re here, Allie. This is where you belong.”
She placed her palm on his cheek. “You’re my dream come true.” She pressed her lips to his in an urgent goodbye before tearing herself away and darting out the door.
“Where to?” asked Kate.
“The diner by my apartment.” Allie stared out the window as tears trickled down her cheeks.
“I wish I’d never thought up that stupid raffle.” Kate dropped her face in her hands.
A sardonic laugh escaped Allie’s mouth. “I didn’t even win—George did. If I had entered, none of this would’ve happened.” Allie bit her lip. She needed to remember that. Needed to remember that she just didn’t have the right kind of luck in love.
Chapter Eleven
Mark swiped the ugly wig off his head and threw it on the living room floor.
“Ew, Dad. That’s disgusting.” Chloe made a huge circle around him and his discarded hairpiece. “What’s for lunch?” She headed into the kitchen.
Mark put his hands on the back of a chair and leaned forward. “Whatever you want.” He didn’t care if he ever ate again. Watching Allie walk away this morning was like having half his heart peeled away. He squeezed his eyes shut against the pain. For the life of him, he couldn’t figure out how to let what had started with Allie continue and keep his life free of the drama family court judges frowned upon.
“Dad?” Chloe called from the kitchen. “How do you turn on the oven?”
He pushed off from the couch and hurried into the kitchen. “What’s going on in here?”
“I wanted lasagna.” She thunked the chunk of frozen Italian goodness onto the counter.
Mark reached above the fridge to retrieve a cookie tray. He opened the box and slid the aluminum pan out. The instructions were simple enough—they included illustrations—and yet he couldn’t think past getting the box open.
“Dad!” Chloe waved her hand in front of his face. “Are you thinking about that woman—the pretty one?”
He nodded and turned around to preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
“She seemed really nice.”
“She is,” he said to the stove top, unable to put on a happy face for his daughter. Allie was more than nice. She was … charitable. Like, pure love of Christ kind of charity.
“So, are you going to date her?”
He flipped around in time to see the uncertainty on Chloe’s face. “Would that be bad?”
She shrugged. “I don’t think so—not with her. With that Aspen woman, yeah.”
He chuckled. “I can guarantee you Aspen will never set foot in this house.”
Chloe tipped her chin in an I know you love me kind of way. “You smiled funny at Allie. I’ve never seen you look at someone like that before.”
“I did?”
“Yeah. I think she makes y
ou happy.”
“She did.”
Chloe pulled her shoulders up to her ears. “Did she leave because of me?”
“No, darlin’.” She left for you. For us—to protect us. And in the process made me fall in love with her. Allie had given up everything and asked nothing of him in return. Mark sucked in through his teeth as if he’d stuck his hand in the hot oven without an oven mitt.
He’d fallen in love with Allie.
She’d put Chloe before herself, once again showing the depth of her character. If he was going to deserve her, he needed to lay all that he had on the table. Gaining custody of Chloe was of the upmost importance. He’d give up all that he had to have her and Allie in his life—including his acting career, if that’s what it took.
Chapter Twelve
Three months later
Allie leaned back into the leather sofa in the VIP box of the Atlanta Braves stadium. Beyond the glass, the humidity stuck T-shirts to backs and shorts to bottoms as the fans watched Anthony Green climb out of the dugout.
“Ant-ney!” cheered José his arms raised high in the air.
Leticia caught Allie’s eye and they exchanged smiles. This was José’s third home game, and each time Anthony came to bat he acted like it was the bottom of the ninth in the seventh game of the world series.
Thanks to Leticia’s tutoring, Allie now knew how important that moment was in baseball. Though the memories from her fairy-tale weekend with Mark still made her ache with longing, Allie was thankful that she’d made friends with Leticia and Anthony. Not only had she shared in the joy of baby Julissa joining the family; Allie now managed Leticia’s premier bath boutique in downtown. Selina worked there full time, her schedule flexible to accommodate José’s medical needs.
A wail pierced the air. Leticia cooed as she scooped baby Julissa out of the car seat and bounced her lightly.
On the field, Anthony swung and missed for the second time. “Boooo,” José yelled at the umpire.
“Shhhh, José, the baby wants to sleep,” said Leticia in a quiet voice.
“Boooo,” he whispered, making Allie’s heart melt.
Wrapping Julissa in a mint-green minkie blanket, Leticia snuggled her close. She drifted back to sleep and sighed in contentment.
It Could Happen to Us: Quotable Romance Page 8
