"Hmm? Oh, yeah. I'm fine."
She didn't sound very convincing. "Marsali, if something is going on, you can tell me."
She shook her head.
"I just got off the phone with Mama."
Again? He braced himself for whatever came next. "I should've gone to see them."
"In Florida? We don't need their permission, Ollie."
"No, but it's not like I'm a stranger out of nowhere."
"Exactly. They already know you, so it's no big deal."
"Except that it is?" He moved closer to her and drew her into his arms, snuggling her against him, very aware of the tension-filled sigh she released when he rubbed her back and shoulders. "You can't blame them for worrying. They love you."
"I know but worrying and smothering are a fine line."
"Their love for you is something I've always envied about you and Mac."
He felt her arms tighten around him.
"I'm sorry about your parents."
Oliver tried not to think about the single mom who'd given him away at the ripe old age of five and put him into a system that generally wanted babies.
He pressed a kiss to the top of Marsali's head and stood there, willing to hold her for as long as she'd let him. "If I'm honest, I think that was one of the things that intrigued me about Mac. The way he'd talk about his family. That first visit, I had to see if it was real."
"Hmm. The truth comes out. You're only dating me for my family."
He squeezed tight. "Brat. Not by a long shot. That was then, this is you. But I will say, as a poor foster kid, it took me a while to like my dorm mate after listening to his homesick stories."
"I remember when Mac first brought you home. I was mortified to be caught in my bathing suit. The straggly hair and braces were bad enough but the suit put it over the top."
He chuckled at the memory. "You were beautiful, braces and all. I felt like a stray dog being taken in. Probably looked it, too. Now I'm sorry I'm causing issues with you and your family."
She lifted her head from his chest and smiled up at him.
"Are you?"
A smile formed. "To a point," he said and lowered his head for a kiss. "Because I get to do this whenever I want." He kissed her again and squeezed her tight and wished he could soothe the worry he saw in her beautiful eyes. That was something only time could erase. "The interviews are done for today. How are you holding up?"
"Are they all going to ask about our sex life or… lack thereof?"
"Just blush as adorably as you do and let me handle them."
She ducked her head again. "They quoted my book to you about remaining abstinent until committed."
"I know. But at least they didn't try to switch things around and misquote you."
"Wait… How do you know that? You read my dating book for good girls?"
He chuckled low. "I downloaded onto my phone so no one would know what I was reading, but yeah. Of course I did. You wrote it, so I had to read it."
"My own brother didn't read it."
"Maybe if he did he'd be better at dating." A laugh erupted out of her in response to his words, and she lifted her head to stare up at him, a curious frown pinching her eyebrows together. "Come on, what's going on in that beautiful head of yours?"
"Honestly?"
"Always."
"I'm just… going to miss you when you go back to LA tomorrow."
"You could always change your mind and come with me." He'd spent the last several days trying to convince her to join him so he could show her the sights, but so far she'd made excuses. "Come on. You can do your new client interviews online, or have your assistant do them temporarily. Come spend the weekend with me and celebrate the premiere."
"Ollie, I can't. I don't have a dress or the money to spend on the kind of dresses people wear to those things, and you'll be busy schmoozing anyway. I'll just be in the way."
"I'll handle the dress thing. That's not a legitimate excuse."
"I can't let you buy me clothes."
"Why not? It's something I'd love to do for you. Consider it a gift." A thought came to mind. "Didn't you say in your book that women needed to graciously accept the gifts men give them and stop worrying about whether or not acceptance meant giving up their independence? Something about it being face value and just a nice thing to do?"
"I referenced flowers, or the man paying for dinner."
"Yeah, well, this is me, paying for dinner," he said softly. "I don't want to take anything from you, Marsali, only give. And it's Valentine's Day weekend. I don't want to spend it apart. Please, will you come with me?"
She closed her eyes, and while he stared down at her, he could see the war raging in the varied expressions flickering over her face.
"I'd have to find someone to watch Ginger."
"I'll do it for you. I'll help you pack. I'll do whatever you need me to do. Just say yes."
Her teeth sank into her full lower lip, and he smoothed his thumb over the puffiness, taking in her eyes, the freckles he adored, and the wariness he still sensed in her.
"I… suppose we should spend Valentine's Day together."
"Yes, we should. It would be the best gift you could give me."
"Yeah?"
"Without a doubt."
"I don't want to leave Ginger with strangers. Eliza would but she’s playing catch up after being on her honeymoon. I wonder if Mac would watch her?"
"I'll beg him if I have to." Oliver bent his knees and ducked his head to better see her face. "So is that a yes?"
"I… suppose I could reschedule a few things."
Oliver pressed his lips to hers and celebrated the news with a kiss that left them both heavy-eyed and struggling to catch their breath. "Leave it to me. Ginger, the travel arrangements, everything."
"Really?"
"Marsali the matchmaker, you are about to see how Valentine's Day is done."
The Matchmaker’s Secret: Chapter 13
Marsali wasn't sure what to expect when they got to LAX the following day, but the security detail awaiting them to help them navigate the crowd who seemed to zero in on them and immediately turn manic wasn't it. People of all ages held up phones, and women as well as girls screamed Oliver's name.
Marsali's heart pounded hard in her chest, so much so she got a little light-headed as they were quickly ushered through the airport to a waiting limo. Oliver kept her close to his side through it all, but once the limo door shut, he turned his back to the window and the faces outside to check on her.
"You okay?"
"Is it always like that?" She watched as Oliver's head bobbed this way and that.
"Sometimes."
"Don't let him kid you. Yes, it's always like that, and thank God, right, Oliver?"
For the first time since entering the limo, Marsali realized they weren't alone. "Oh, my gosh."
The woman's expression changed to one of knowing smugness.
"Evangeline Lorey," she said with her super-sultry voice. "And you're the little secret my dear Oliver has been keeping from us."
"Uh, Marsali… Jones." Marsali glanced at Oliver and found him staring at his co-star with a narrowed gaze.
"What are you doing here, Eva?" Oliver asked.
Marsali blinked at his tone. Not because it was mean or curt but… cautious?
"I wanted to surprise you. Rikki mentioned you were bringing your little friend with you to attend the premiere and that a shopping spree was in order, so I volunteered my services, of course. We can't have your friend's little sister showing up at the premiere looking out of sorts."
"I told Rikki I'd handle it."
Handle it? What was she, a hot biscuit to be tossed across a table? "I can do my own shopping," Marsali said, unable to keep the upset and embarrassment out of her voice no matter how much she tried.
"Oh, no. Time is ticking and we have to get you up to speed," Evangeline said. "Oliver, leave the shopping to us girls. Right, Sally?"
"Marsali."
"Thanks, Eva, but we don't need your help. I'm taking Marsali myself," Oliver said firmly. "It's part of our special weekend."
Marsali forced a smile at his words, and even though Oliver's statement about their special weekend made her feel a little better, she hated being discussed like a problem instead of a guest.
"I'll join you then. Trust me, you'll want a woman's opinion," Evangeline said to Marsali. "There's a reason men in Hollywood have stylists. Right, Oliver?"
He had a stylist? Really? Maybe she shouldn't have been surprised, but it was yet another thing she didn't know about him after their many years of short, random visits.
"Only because Rikki insists upon it. Part of the image thing Hollywood likes," he said to Marsali.
"Of course it is. You're not shopping discount stores anymore, right?"
The other woman smiled as her gaze lowered and took in Marsali's traveling clothes of discount-store skinny jeans, booties, and flowy blouse topped by a cute jacket. The outfit was perfectly fine for a day out and about in Wilmington or Carolina Cove, but sitting across from the glamorous actress in an outfit that probably cost more than Marsali made in a year, she felt like Cinderella before some heavy-duty fairy dust.
Silence filled the limo as the driver shot them into the LA traffic, and Marsali found her attention split between the scenery, such as it was outside, and the woman giving her a competitive sizing up whenever Oliver wasn't looking.
"So— I'm sorry, what was your name again?"
"Marsali," she said, a smile pinned to her face.
"Yes, yes, Marsali. It's so kind of Oliver to treat you to this experience. I mean, I imagine it's not every day a girl like you gets to do something like this."
"Mmm. It is… exciting," Marsali said.
"Of course. It's just there's a lot riding on this premiere, and we wouldn't want anything to overshadow it or… take away from the evening."
"Eva," Oliver said, his tone a low warning.
"I understand. I'll keep my brightness to a minimum and try not to trip," Marsali said.
"Oh, she has claws," Eva said, smiling. "You do like a woman with claws, don't you, Ollie?"
Marsali felt Oliver stiffen on the seat beside her, and even though she was getting the vibe that Oliver and the actress were more than costars, she let her hand shift in a show of support for him. Marsali squeezed his leg above his knee and Oliver's hand immediately swallowed hers and held.
"Ah. So sweet."
Oliver cleared his throat. "Eva, Marsali and I can handle the shopping on our own, and since it's one of the few things I've been looking forward to this weekend, I'm going to have Sam drop you off at your hotel."
"Oh, now. What fun is that?"
"I insist," Oliver said. "I want to spend as much time with Marsali as I can before the chaos of the premiere hits. I'm sure you understand."
A long pause followed his words but finally the beautiful actress shrugged.
"Of course. I'm sure I'll see you again when you drop Marsali off later," Evangeline said.
"What do you mean?" Oliver asked.
"Rikki didn't tell you? Marsali and I are both staying at the hotel."
"I see."
She and Oliver hadn't exactly discussed logistics for this trip, but Oliver had told her he had plenty of bedrooms and Marsali had just assumed she'd be staying in one of them. "There's no need to go to the expense. I-I can stay at Oliver's in one of his spare rooms." It wasn’t ideal but she hated that he was spending so much on her.
"No, she's right," Oliver murmured, his tone regretful. "It's… best, all things considered."
"Now, now, no fighting. Surely you understand our Oliver here is no saint," Eva added with a salacious grin. "We wouldn't want your precious reputation getting sullied."
Sullied? Marsali was well aware that Eva mocked her, but she'd thought Oliver would—
Oliver's hand squeezed hers tight but he didn't respond to Eva's comments. Marsali tried and failed not to be hurt by his lack of defense.
"Sam? We're dropping Eva back off at her hotel."
"Yes, sir, Mr. Beck."
The woman's eyes narrowed on Marsali and she felt the malice being glared her way. Oliver's costar was yet another frenemy.
And Marsali had a feeling the fun had only started.
TWO HOURS after touching down in LAX, Marsali found herself in one of LA's posh boutiques. The saleswoman eyed Oliver with a salacious expression and gave Marsali a look that made it clear that she wondered what he found in her. Still, she loaded up with gowns and ushered Marsali to a changing room that was larger than her dining room in Carolina Cove.
Marsali eyed the array of colorful gowns. Even she knew buying off the rack wasn't done for events such as this, but given the lack of time, it would have to do. That and the fact Marsali refused to allow Oliver to spend any more money than absolutely necessary. Maybe she could find something reasonably affordable that she could pay back in time? The dress, hotel, and whatever else he had planned were quickly adding up. Some women might like that kind of money being spent on them, but it put Marsali on edge after Oliver's lack of defense earlier.
A glance at the price tags left her gasping and she barely held in a moan. Okay, then. No new car for her anytime soon. Because unless something happened to change her mind, she would be paying Oliver back.
The first gown was a deep purple with a plunging neckline. Marsali barely dared to breathe as she exited the dressing room and found Oliver sitting in a plush and buttoned chair drinking a glass of champagne. The sales clerk hovered nearby but Marsali was only aware of Oliver as his gaze shifted and swept over her body. After a long moment, he shook his head and she breathed a sigh of relief.
"Beautiful, but no."
The second had a high neck, but the backless gown gathered just at her hips, and one wrong move made her think it would wind up on a meme somewhere. Another no, for which she was eternally grateful.
Gown three was a high-low gown that couldn't seem to make up its mind given the lace and tulle and satin and silk and buttons. She refused to leave the dressing room and went on to number four, much to Oliver's amusement.
Number four wasn't much better. The gown fit well, but even she knew the color wasn't right for her. Oliver's squinting look confirmed it, and back into the room she went again.
Shopping was normally fun and something she enjoyed, but this was already losing its luster.
Maybe she'd like it better if the clerk wasn't quite so attentive to Oliver and could care less about helping her now that she was out of the way and struggling with the gowns.
Marsali flipped through the many items hanging in the room staged for her, dismissing one after another until she finally uncovered one in the back. Plain. Simple. Elegant. It lacked the flash of the glitzy, glamorous gowns but made Marsali think of old romantic movies.
Getting into the ball gown on her own took some doing, but the moment Marsali turned to face the overly ornate dressing mirror, she knew this was the gown she wanted, no matter what the salesclerk, Oliver, or Hollywood might say or think.
"Hey, how you doing in there?" Oliver asked from the other side of the door.
"I… I found one. I want it."
"Can I see?"
She continued to stare at her reflection and shook her head. "No."
A short pause followed.
"Okay, then," he said, amusement clear in his voice. "Change and the clerk will get it ready. Marsali?"
"Yeah?"
"I can't wait to see you in it."
She bit her lip and took a breath, hoping the gown had the impact on him that it did for her.
Back in her street clothes, she handed the gown over to the clerk, who raised an eyebrow at her choice when compared to the others but didn't comment other than to say she would prep it for delivery to the hotel.
Shoes were next, and since the gown was floor-length and covered her feet, she chose low heels and a
blinged-out clutch for a bit of splash.
"Don't forget jewelry," Oliver said.
"Oh, no. Oliver, I couldn't possibly."
"Most times people rent the jewelry, dear," the clerk behind the counter informed her.
The woman was older, with kinder eyes and a visibly gentler disposition. "Oh. I see. Um…"
"What do you recommend?" Oliver asked, moving to stand behind Marsali.
"Well, with that gown"—the clerk glanced at the rows of displays beneath the glass—"perhaps these earrings and… this."
Marsali was confused because of the necklace the woman had chosen. "Oh, um, I'm not sure how that would work. Perhaps you're thinking of a different gown?" She glanced at Oliver, and he winked at her as though he could tell she was getting overwhelmed by all the fuss.
"Ah, I heard it's a surprise," the woman said. "May I?"
She motioned for Marsali to step close and whispered instructions, and Marsali couldn't help but think the woman was a genius because she would never have thought of it. "Yeah, that… It would be perfect," Marsali said, exchanging a smile with the woman. "Thank you."
"My pleasure, dear. And may I say you two make a lovely couple. Enjoy your wonderful evening. She will be riveting," the woman said to Oliver.
"She already is," Oliver said. "Are we all done here?"
"I think so. Are we going to your house now or the hotel…?"
His low chuckle sounded in her ear as he kissed her cheek. "Sweetheart, we're just getting started."
The Matchmaker’s Secret: Chapter 14
Marsali was exhausted by the time they made it to Oliver's home in Beverly Hills, which was, by Hollywood's standards, quite modest despite it being thirty-five-hundred square feet of beautifully designed space.
"You're awfully quiet. You don't like it?" he asked.
She turned from the windows looking out to a gorgeously landscaped pool, hot tub, and outdoor kitchen and eating area to face Oliver and found him moving toward her. She welcomed him with open arms, more than ready to rest her head on his broad chest. "It's beautiful as I'm sure you already know. It suits you, actually."
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