Kiss Me Crazy

by Ednah Walters

  “A sandwich sounds fabulous,” Mrs. Fitzgerald said. “What’s your preference?”

  There was no way she could sit across from that woman and swallow. Estelle Fitzgerald was intimidating to say the least and was…Baron’s mother, the mother of her soon-to-be lover. From her determined tone, Estelle wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

  “Kara, are you still there?” Estelle asked impatiently.

  “Yes. It’s turkey on rye and green tea. But you don’t have to buy. I’ll have Raul’s people deliver—”

  “Don’t worry, it’s my treat. I’ll be with you shortly.”

  Kara was left holding a phone without a tone, not sure what she’d agreed to. Had Baron told the mother about them?

  CHAPTER 12

  Kara threw up her hands and eyed her workroom with disgust. There was no way Estelle Fitzgerald could eat in here. The smell of paint and the crowded desk might not bother Kara, but for entertaining someone used to all sorts of luxuries, it was sorely lacking. Even if she offered Estelle the use of the one decent chair in the room and Kara took the painting stool, she’d still be forced to look down at the older woman, something neither of them would be comfortable with.

  It was probably childish of her but Kara wished Baron was around. He’d left right after the meeting. His mother wasn’t someone she wanted to deal with even on a normal day. Kara had once observed Estelle hold a fundraiser in La Baron Galleria for one of her charities. The woman was pushy, commanding. Kara had watched her in awe as she worked a roomful of old and new money into a donating frenzy. Whatever Estelle Fitzgerald wanted she got.

  Sighing, Kara grabbed her purse and headed upstairs. She went straight to the conference room and flipped up the light switch. The fluorescent light lit the mahogany boat-shaped Corsica conference table, eight premium mid-back leather chairs, and abstract paintings on teal textured walls. Baron had spared no expense when he decorated the room and it would be the perfect place to entertain his mother.

  Kara glanced at her watch as she left the room for the restrooms. Raul’s deli tended to be busy during lunch so she had ample time before Estelle arrived. Time she’d spend making herself presentable.

  One look at her reflection and Kara groaned. Shiny forehead, wary eyes, she looked like a guilty person about to face an inquisition. Not that she’d done anything to feel guilty about. But then Baron’s gorgeous face floated in her head and she sighed.

  Okay, so she was guilty of lust but the last time she checked that wasn’t a crime. Besides, what she felt for Baron was much more than that. She liked the guy. He was brilliant, confident, and dependable, intense… Kara smiled as she remembered the single rose downstairs. He was also romantic, a side of him she looked forward to exploring. If his mother has an issue with me, that’s her problem. I’ve made up my mind and I’m sticking to it.

  Kara flushed her face with water, wiped it dry and studied her reflection. She dug inside her purse for makeup and reapplied her lip gloss. Next, she dabbed her T-zone with foundation. She took a deep breath, squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. Ready or not, here I go. She grabbed her purse and stepped out of the bathroom.

  “There you are, my dear.”

  Kara nearly jumped out of her skin, turned toward her door, and tried not to stare. Somehow she’d expected the petite Estelle in an elegant business pantsuit with her driver carrying their lunch in a silver-dome covered plate. Definitely not this beaming woman in a pretty two-piece pink skirt suit with frills around the wrists and the waist, hair elegantly coiled in a slick bun, understated pearls gracing her earlobes, and a large white paper bag cradled against her side. As usual, the uncanny resemblance to Baron was startling.

  “I peeked downstairs but didn’t see you,” Estelle continued. “For a second I thought you stood me up.”

  The teasing surprised Kara but instead of setting her at ease, it set off warning bells in her head. The woman was being too nice. Why?

  “I wouldn’t do that, Mrs. Fitzgerald.” Kara tried to relax but she could feel her smile crack with tension.

  “Call me Estelle, please. You and I shouldn’t be formal with each other. So where are we eating?”

  Why shouldn’t they be formal? They were hardly friends. Kara pointed at the door across from where they stood.

  “The conference room, I hope you don’t mind. It’s more spacious and less cluttered than downstairs.” She nodded at the bag. “Can I help with that?”

  “Oh, thank you. I wasn’t sure whether you preferred sweetened or unsweetened iced tea so I bought both.”

  “Either one is okay.” Kara took the bag, peeked inside and walked to the other end of the table, her mind working overtime. Estelle had bought her favorite brand of green tea. Either the woman was a mind reader or someone had told her Kara’s preference. Raul or Baron? Did it matter?

  Kara carefully removed the drinks from the bag and placed them on the table. Experience had taught her people were never nice without an ulterior motive. Her mother, Briana, and even Renee turned on the charm when they wanted something. Maybe it was wrong to question Estelle’s motive but Kara didn’t believe in coincidences. Why pay her a visit right after she’d agreed to have an affair with Baron?

  Kara pulled out the chair near the head of the table and indicated to Estelle to sit.

  “Thank you, dear.”

  “I’m the one who should be thanking you…for lunch.” Kara walked around to take the seat opposite her, looked up and found the older woman’s gaze on her. When Estelle didn’t avert her gaze, Kara bristled and caught herself before she could say ‘what?’

  “I must return the favor sometime,” Kara heard herself say and cringed. What made her think Estelle would want to do this again? “I meant to say—”

  “No, no, I love the idea.” Estelle removed the sandwiches from the bag, placed one in front of Kara and slowly unwrapped hers, eyes twinkling. “Maybe next week?”

  “Uh-mm, next week is not possible. I’ll be out of town.”

  “Oh. What about the week after?” She reached for a bottle of iced tea and twisted the lid off, but she watched Kara as though her answer was of utmost importance.

  “Actually I’ll be gone for two straight weeks. I’ll take a rain check.”

  “Certainly. So are you going somewhere exciting?”

  Kara knew next to nothing about Idaho but being with Baron would definitely make it exciting. Then there was the artwork they’d be working on. That was sure to be fun too. She smiled to herself. She couldn’t wait to take off.

  Estelle cleared her throat and Kara looked up.

  “Sorry,” she said. “Yes, it’s exciting.”

  “Ah, vacation, relaxing and doing nothing. I could use one myself.”

  Kara wrinkled her nose. “Actually, mine’s a working vacation.”

  “My son the slave driver…my fault really, he’s a chip off this old lady.” Estelle tapped her chest and laughed. Kara joined her. “I hope it’s at some fabulous resort with beaches, plenty of sun, and cabana boys to take care of your every need.”

  Kara giggled. The only cabana boy she’d want catering to her was Baron, which she had no business thinking about with his mother seated across from her. She was becoming shameless.

  “No, it’s near the mountains with plenty of pine trees and no cabana boys.”

  As they laughed, Kara realized her tension had disappeared and she had this woman to thank. Estelle Fitzgerald wasn’t the haughty rich woman she’d pegged her to be. She was down to earth, someone she could hang out with and share a martini or gossip.

  “Come on, my dear,” she intruded on Kara’s thoughts. “Let’s eat. Afterwards, I want to hear about what you’ve been up to. I was at a friend’s house and saw a piece you restored. Your work is exceptional. Your parents must be very proud.”

  Compliments, shared interests, easy camaraderie, it was like they were old friends instead of two people who’ve known each other for five years yet never socialized. Kara
found herself enjoying their lunch, wishing they’d done this before.

  They were finishing off their respective iced teas when Estelle said, “I heard you’re planning to leave the gallery.”

  Kara wasn’t sure where the shift in the conversation was headed, and tension slipped back into her body. Was this what the lunch was about? Could Baron have enlisted Estelle to try and stop Kara from leaving? Even as the question crossed her mind, she knew it was farfetched. Baron wasn’t the type to run to his mother for anything.

  Kara looked up, realized Estelle was waiting for an answer, and nodded. “Yes. I plan to open a custom-framing store but will offer my services as a restorer as well. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and the timing’s perfect.” Her voice sounded a tad defensive but she stared Estelle squarely as she spoke.

  “That’s wonderful. I like to see women entrepreneurs. Tell me more.”

  The enthusiastic response surprised Kara and had her opening up about her goals. Estelle encouraged her with nods and asked questions without being judgmental. When there was a lull in the conversation, the woman pushed her sandwich wrapper and empty bottle aside and reached for Kara’s hands.

  “My dear, as someone who’s been where you are now, starting a business and determined to make it, I must tell you one thing. You have a sound plan with three great things working for you. Location is everything and you’ve picked a winner. Offering both restorations and custom-framing is a move guaranteed to please your customers and keep them coming back. And you’ve already built a solid a reputation and client base, which means your former clients will be more than happy to bring their business to your door, including me.”

  Kara blinked hard, her mindless tear ducts threatening to fail her. “Thank you. What you just said means a lot to me.”

  Estelle’s grip tightened briefly then she let go of Kara’s hands. “Oh, we women have to support each other. When do you think you’ll set the ball rolling?”

  She’d already finalized the lease negotiations. The renovators were due to start on the interior of the store in a few weeks. About a third of her opening inventory was completed, so as soon as she got back, she’d need to find a reliable freight company to start transporting the frames from San Diego to a storage facility in L.A.

  “I’m giving myself about three months,” Kara said.

  Estelle nodded. “Ambitious, but there’s nothing wrong with that. If you need help with anything, advertising, printing brochures, lighting fires under your former clients to make it to the grand opening, call me.” She leaned forward to add in whisper, “I don’t mean to brag but I know people who can make these things move faster and smoother.” She got to her feet, still sporting a conspirator’s grin. “Thanks for sharing your dream with me and letting me pull you away from work, Kara.”

  “Thanks for listening.” This wasn’t exactly how she’d envisioned lunch with Estelle would be like, but Kara was pleased.

  As she escorted the older woman toward the main galley floor, she decided to ask the question that had been burning the tip of her tongue. “Doesn’t it bother you that I’m leaving Baron’s gallery and will probably compete with the restorer he finds to replace me?”

  Estelle stopped walking and gave her a secretive smile. “I don’t think Baron will ever replace you.”

  Kara frowned. The woman’s cryptic response made no sense whatsoever.

  “Besides, if he can’t handle a little competition then he’s not the son I raised. Which reminds me,” Estelle continued. “I’m sorry I never got around to thanking you for watching over him five years ago. I don’t think he could have pulled through if it weren’t for you.”

  “You’re giving me too much credit. He made it on his own.”

  “No. Take it from a woman who’s loved, lost, and found her way home. Love helps heal all wounds, no matter how deep.” She kissed Kara on the cheek. “We must do this again. Call me when you get back from Idaho.”

  Bemused, Kara watched Estelle disappear into the gallery. Then her last sentence registered and Kara grimaced. That sneaky woman knew about the trip to Idaho way before they discussed it. Baron must have told her. Why would he do that? And from her comment about love healing all wounds, it was obvious she’d known about Kara’s feelings for Baron five years ago.

  Kara frowned, something else about the entire lunch bothering her. Was she being paranoid or did Estelle seem a little too eager to see her leave the gallery? Did she disapprove of her relationship with Baron? Was that why she was so encouraging and willing to offer her support?

  Pivoting on her heels, Kara returned to clear the evidence of their lunch, turned off the lights and headed back to the basement. So what if the woman disapproved of her? It shouldn’t matter. It wasn’t as though she planned to stay in Baron’s life forever. Two weeks was all she’d agreed to, nothing more.

  Kara picked the rose Baron had left and inhaled its soft fragrance. Where was he? Should she call him and tell him his mother had stopped by? Or did he already know? What would he say if he knew Estelle had been so enthusiastic about Kara leaving him?

  ***

  Baron didn’t get back to his hotel room in Santa Barbara until seven at night. The talk with Bridget had taken longer than he’d anticipated, but they’d reached a consensus on what to do with the collection in Idaho. Of course, he could have driven home after he left her place but his body needed a break after the mileage he’d accrued in the last few days. He’d leave first thing tomorrow for L.A.

  Baron kicked off his shoes, stretched on the bed, and reached for the phone. After ordering room service, he plucked his cell phone from its holder and dialed Kara’s number.

  The voicemail started. Where was she that she couldn’t answer her cell phone? She always carried it with her. Frowning, he left a brief message, hung up, and tried her house number. When that went unanswered too, he tried the security in his building.

  “Yes?” a familiar brusque voice answered.

  “Jules, Fitzgerald here. Do you know if Ms. Michaels has left the gallery yet?”

  “No, she hasn’t, sir. She informed the security desk she’d be working late. Ms. Ray also told us the same thing before she left for the day. Is there a problem, sir?”

  “No, just checking. Goodnight.”

  Baron watched ESPN until his food was delivered before he stripped and headed to the bathroom. The hot shower was invigorating. As he lathered his body, last night’s dinner with his mother played in his head. She’d been so happy to hear he was bringing a guest to the family picnic. Not once did she inquire about the identity of the person or the nature of their relationship. That was his mother, dependable without being nosy.

  Baron finished showering, changed into boxer shorts and a clean T-shirt, and settled on a chair with the remote in one hand and food in the other. He ate the now cold chicken pasta dinner while catching up on sports. He was finishing when his phone rang. Kara, he thought and dived for his phone.

  His mother’s number flashed. Frowning, Baron brought the phone to his ear. “Evening, Mom. Is everything okay?”

  “This side? Yes. I just spoke with Bridget. Why didn’t you tell me about the problem Jake’s been causing in Idaho?”

  Baron smiled. His mother was such a worrywart. “I didn’t think it was important. It’s been resolved.”

  “Still, Bridget is going to split the proceeds from the sale with that impossible man. Are you going to buy some of them?”

  “Most of them. From what I’ve seen, she has some interesting pieces, especially vases.” Estate sales, like flea markets and garage sales, were wholesale sources for antiques but if the owner was an avid collector like Bridget, one could acquire rare items at a steal. Most brokers or liquidators tended to give their loyal customers the first shot at fine collectibles before they open to the public, but in this case, he would be the broker and the buyer.

  “That’s good. Speaking of vases, I saw a beautiful antique Chinese ginger jar at your gallery
today,” Estelle said. “I mentioned it to a friend who’s interested in it.”

  Baron was surprised she’d stopped by when she knew he wouldn’t be around. His mother tended to call ahead before she dropped in. “Thanks for the free ad, Mom. But what were you doing at the gallery today?”

  “I met Kara for lunch.”

  His gut tightened at her answer.

  “You had lunch with Kara today?” he asked slowly, stressing the words.

  “Yes. We had a fabulous time.”

  His mother was up to something, and whatever it was, he knew he wouldn’t like it. “What’s going on, Mom?”

  Estelle clicked her tongue. “Nothing. Can’t I stop by your store when you aren’t there or have lunch with a young lady whom I happen to be very fond of?”

  “Since when?”

  “Since she started working for you. Kara’s smart, talented, and a beautiful woman. I never got around to thanking her for being there for you after Valerie left so I did today.”

  Valerie? She was his past, and after seeing her at the airport, someone he didn’t want intruding in his present life. “That’s all you talked about?”

  “Hardly. I merely mentioned Valerie in passing. We talked about other things.”

  Baron squinted, realization dawning. His mother was enjoying making him squirm. He’d bet she knew Kara was the guest he’d mentioned last night. Someone talked, probably Chase. His twin could never keep his mouth shut.

  Despite knowing he was getting snared in a web of his mother’s making, Baron still asked, “Like what?”

  “She told me a lot about her future plans, you know, starting her company. She has such wonderful ideas and is really excited about them. I was sold from the time she said custom-framing and….”

  Baron didn’t hear the rest of her explanation. He jumped to his feet and started pacing the cramped floor of his hotel room. His mother and Kara in cahoots, God help him. Both were stubborn and independent, and impossible to reason with. He needed to think. Finding his room too confining, he opened the French doors and stepped out onto the balcony. The usually soothing sounds of waves crashing against the beach did nothing to him. Neither was he in the mood to enjoy the spectacular view of the harbor.