"Did I already introduce you to Mr. Martin?" my dad asked as we approached the elevator.
"You told me you were going to have lunch with him, and you told him I was Olivia Newton John, but you didn't officially introduce us or anything." (For no particular reason, I left out the part where I had already met him earlier.)
My dad reached out to push the button for the elevator to bring us down, and we stood there in front of the doors as we waited for one to arrive.
"Mr. Martin, this is my beautiful daughter, Olivia… without the Newton John." Dad gestured to me with a flourish, and I just smiled and shook my head at him.
"Cole Martin," the stranger said, offering me his hand.
"Olivia Torres," I said, unable to stop myself from sounding really official as a result of my nerves.
Cole smiled warmly at me as he shook my hand. He was real and genuine; I could tell simply by looking at him. Our eyes were locked when one of the elevator doors dinged and opened.
"Here we are!" my dad said, clapping his hands together in his usual charismatic way. I was the first on the elevator, followed by Cole who stood next to me. My dad stepped into the elevator and turned his back to us so he could push the button that would take us to the ground floor.
I had about twenty thoughts all within a few seconds. I was drawn to Cole Martin, and I knew I only had a brief window of time to do something crazy, after which point I would likely never see him again. I made sure my dad wasn’t looking when I reached out and grabbed his hand. He had man's hands, and I smiled inwardly when I touched it, thinking those calluses were probably from all that beach volleyball. Touching him sent waves of anticipation through me, but it only lasted for a second. I kept my eyes on my father, and dropped Cole's hand the instant my dad shifted to face us.
I glanced at Cole, who was staring straight at me. I could tell he was trying to school his expression for my father's sake, but he was obviously very curious as to why I had just reached out to hold his hand like that.
I gave him a little smile that my dad wouldn't find suspicious, and he lifted one shoulder as if to reiterate his unasked question.
"Mr. Martin and his family are from New Orleans," Dad said, making small talk as we rode to the first floor.
I winked at Cole when I knew my dad wasn't looking, and he narrowed his eyes at me. I smiled, knowing he was teasing me about being so coy.
"I thought you said you were from Montana," I said.
He shot me a smile that made me feel physically weak. I honest-to-goodness lost my breath. "Louisiana," he said. "Way down in the swamp with gators and moss and everything, just like you're imagining."
"How'd you know I was imagining something?" I asked, smiling at him.
"I didn't," he said. He smiled. "But you are now that I told you there's gators and moss and stuff."
I laughed. "I guess I am imagining that now."
The elevator door was about to open, so my only choice was to do the unthinkable and invite myself to join them for lunch even though I'd already been officially uninvited. I looked at my father, and in one last-ditch effort, I said, "I wish we could have lunch."
The elevator door opened right as I finished saying it, and my father just stood there staring at me blankly. I was the most well-mannered one of our family. I never had a problem with etiquette, and I could tell he was surprised by me asking such a question when he already stated that it was a business lunch.
"What about if I take care of some emails at the bar while you guys talk, and then I could join you afterward?"
"I think it's a great idea," Cole said, with no hesitation whatsoever.
I stepped around my dad, who was standing in the elevator, stunned speechless. "What do ya say?" I asked as I headed into the lobby.
"Well, I certainly don't mind if Mr. Marti—"
"I don't mind," Cole said before my dad could even finish his statement.
I felt like he was already stepping up to the plate for me, and it made me feel warm and protected—he just gave off the vibe that he was looking out for me, and I absentmindedly wondered if that was just his southern charm, or if he actually felt protective of me.
"I'll tell Tely to go ahead without me," I said, taking off toward the left where our SUV was parked and waiting for me.
"She's probably wanting a little alone time," I heard my father explain to Cole as I walked away.
"I'm glad to have her along," Cole said. He continued saying something, and I think it was about running into me on the sidewalk earlier, but I couldn't hear him because I was walking away. I wanted to listen, but I couldn't just stop walking in order to do that, so I continued toward the SUV.
My sister assumed I was getting in, so the back door opened as I approached. I stood next to the door, but didn't move to sit down. Estela glanced up from her phone once she noticed that I wasn't climbing in.
"I'm staying," I said. "I'm having lunch with dad."
"And that guy?" she asked. She peered around Tyson's headrest to catch a glimpse of Cole who was standing next to dad in the distance.
"He might be coming," I said.
"Who is he?" she asked, seeming to take sudden interest, now that he was talking to our dad.
"He's mine," I said.
I could hear Tyson from the front seat as he put his fist to his mouth and let out a loud "Oooooh," as if I had really told Estela how it was.
"Who is he?" she asked, sitting up a little straighter, and checking him out like she was afraid she was missing out on something.
"Nobody," I said. "Some guy from New Orleans who was talking to dad. It doesn't really have anything to do with me."
"But you're going to have lunch with them," Estela said dryly.
"Yes," I said, since I didn't really owe her more of an explanation than that. "I'll probably see you at home later."
"Who is he?" she repeated.
"Nobody," I said, as I reached for the door.
I heard her say, "You need to lose the glasses," as the door closed between us.
I honestly contemplated taking them off in that split-second before I turned to head back toward my dad and Cole, but I didn't want to give my sister the satisfaction. I did want to impress this guy, though. I thought maybe there was something to what my sister and Tyson were saying about them being unflattering. When I left my house that morning, I didn't really care what I looked like, but now that I had met Cole, things were different. I wanted to look good for him, and suddenly I regretted wearing these things. I felt a little self-conscious as I headed back to where my dad was standing with Cole, but I didn't take off my glasses. My dad's driver was waiting by the curb, and my dad ducked into the back of the car once he saw I was on my way.
Cole waited by the car for me so I could sit in the middle. "Do you need some kind of help?" he whispered as I came to stand next to him. I could tell by his frown that he was genuinely concerned.
I hesitated, considering telling him I did since I thought he might actually be capable of and willing to steal me away, but I decided to laugh it off. "No," I whispered with a reassuring smile. "Not in the way you think, at least."
"Is somebody hurting you?" he whispered with a hand out to stop me from getting in the car even though I wasn't going to.
"No," I said, smiling and shaking my head. "I'm just tired of living out of a suitcase." There wasn't time to say much more without my dad wondering what was going on, so I smiled and whispered, "Thank you for being willing to help me, though," before I ducked into the backseat of the car.
Cole got in last, sitting on my right. I wanted to do something crazy like lay my head on his shoulder or grab his hand again. I felt the strange urge to snuggle up next to him. He was big and manly compared to some of the guys in my circles—definitely compared to Tyson. The backseat was roomy, but we were sitting close enough that our legs brushed, and I was all too aware of each time my body made contact with his.
"I only wear these things to irritate my sister," I said,
since I was still thinking about the glasses and wondering what he felt about them.
"I have a little brother, too," Cole said. "I know all about button-pushing." He glanced at me, and I shifted so I could look at him as well. "But for what it's worth, they look good on you."
I was in such close proximity with the side of his face that I felt a gut-clenching wave of something that must have been desire. His jaw-line and lips were masculine and beautiful at the same time—like a work of art. I felt desire for him, but more than that, I felt like I could really trust him. I knew it was crazy to feel that way about someone who was a total stranger only hours before, but I could just tell Cole was real.
"I usually don't even wear them," I said, pulling the glasses off of my face, and folding them to stow in my purse. I glanced over my shoulder as if to drive home my point that I was only wearing them for my sister's sake. I ran a hand through my long, dark hair before pulling it over one shoulder. I glanced at Cole with a little smile, and he smiled back at me. He adjusted in his seat as we broke eye contact. I knew he was aware of my presence in more than a friendship way—I could just tell by the way he looked at me.
"Warren's meeting us for lunch," my dad said.
"I'll sit at the bar and give you guys a few minutes to discuss your business."
"I don't have anything to say that can't be said in front of you," Cole said, making my dad laugh.
"I don't either," Dad said. He leaned forward to look at me even though I was sitting right next to him. "There's no need to sit at the bar, Olivia. Maybe you can take notes for when you take over my clothing company." I knew my dad was joking because he thought he would never retire, but he shifted and tilted his head at me like it was the first time that had dawned on him that it might not be a far-fetched idea. He leaned over me to point at Cole. "Mr. Martin wanted to talk to me about selling our clothing line in his family's store."
"Oh yeah?" I asked.
"It's called Martin Outfitters. Have you heard of it?"
I nodded. "The fishing store?" I asked.
I had been to one of those stores when I was in Miami. It was so much more than just a "fishing store", but I was curious about how Cole would react when I called it that. I waited for him to say I was mistaken, and tell me how much bigger and better it was, but he surprised me by smiling and nodding when I glanced at him.
"Have you been to one?" he asked, in a sweet, calm, confident tone that he seemed to always use.
I nodded.
"Where?"
"Miami. There was one at the mall, and I went in there to use the restroom."
"Maybe you can just tell your dad that his clothes would be a good fit for our store, and we can skip my whole sales pitch."
I turned to look at my dad. "As much as I'd like to hear his sales pitch, I will say those stores are nice."
"If my baby girl thinks we should put our clothes in your store, then we'll put our clothes in your store." My dad was talking to Cole, but looking at me.
"I'm not trying to tell you what to do, but I remember liking that store. I think you'd like it. I've seen one somewhere out here, too."
"There are four of them in the Los Angeles area," Cole said. "We can go by one of them if you want." He paused and leaned forward to regard my dad from over my lap. "Or you could just take your daughter's word for it."
Chapter 5
We made the short trip to The Vine, which was my dad's go-to restaurant. They had good food, and they treated him like family. He ate there at least once a week, and Estela and I usually tried to have lunch there once or twice every time we were in town. It was a popular hang out among Hollywood's elite because the servers and staff had been trained on how to deflect crowd commotion and help their clientele enjoy a meal in peace. The paparazzi were always stationed close by, but the restaurant did a good job of not letting them come near.
They were packed when we arrived, but the hostess, a woman named Rebecca, met us on the sidewalk and ushered us to our table as soon as we stepped out of the car. "We didn't know Ms. Liv would be joining you today," she said as we walked.
"I decided to come with dad today," I said, smiling at Rebecca.
She'd been the lead hostess at The Vine for years, and nothing got past her. "Will your sister be joining you as well?" she asked. I shook my head, and she smiled. "I'll be right back with one more place setting," she said as she stopped and gestured to our table.
My dad's lawyer was already waiting for us, and he looked up with a smile when we approached.
"Well, what are you doing here, Olivia?" he asked, standing to give me a hug before I sat next to him.
"I'm just coming to join you guys," I said.
He smiled and patted my shoulder before shifting his attention to Cole. My dad introduced the two of them and they shook hands as I got settled in my seat. I glanced at the menu absentmindedly. I was nervous in this guy's presence, and my heart hummed when I realized he took the seat next to me. I sipped the sparkling water that was sitting on the table in front of me. My dad began speaking the second he sat down, which was a relief.
"I'm not trying to take away from your sales pitch, Mr. Martin, or from my beautiful daughter's opinion in the matter, but I know what's best for my business. I wouldn't have set up this meeting if I hadn't already decided to deal with you." He paused and gestured to Warren. "I brought Mr. Carey so we could discuss some terms. I'll just say right now that I'm not open to letting you represent our entire line. There will be some items that are exclusive to our website."
I glanced at Cole who nodded like he was relieved that my dad was anxious to skip the small talk. "I'm definitely prepared to talk terms, if that's how you want to make use of our time here," Cole said, sitting back in his seat and focusing on my father. Cole had dark, intense eyes, much like my father, and I watched him taking in everything around him. I'd been around a lot of gorgeous men, but this one was different. Manliness just oozed out of him, and it made me want to cozy up to him.
"Logan's over there by the window," Rebecca said when she brought another place setting to our table. She could see that my dad was talking to Cole, so she said it discretely to me, and I glanced in the direction she indicated. My brother's childhood best friend happened to be one of the most popular actors of our generation, and I glanced up to find him sitting at a table with a few other people.
"Is Nico with them?" I asked, tilting my head to see if I could find my brother in the group.
"Not today," she said. "Mr. Ritchie has his wife and sister with him today."
I thanked Rebecca for delivering this news since it was the perfect distraction while my dad talked business. Plus, Cole would see me conversing with Logan, which would hopefully spark some sort of reaction.
"I'm going to say hi to Logan and them," I said during the first pause in conversation. All three gentlemen at the table looked at me, and I gestured toward Logan's table.
"Is your brother here?" Dad asked, looking in that direction.
"I don't think so," I said. I stood up to head across the restaurant, trying not to care if Cole Martin noticed my absence.
Logan had been best friends with my brother for so long, that I knew everyone sitting at his table. I hugged them all before sitting on the edge of Logan's wife's seat so I could talk to them for a few minutes. Her name was Rachel, and she was my kind of girl. She smiled at me when I sat beside her, and I couldn’t help but notice her lack of makeup.
"Thank you for the onsies," she said. "Those were so cute. I think he has one of them on now." She shifted to stare down on the other side of her.
"Is he here?" I asked, looking over her lap. I stretched to see the baby sleeping in a car seat "I didn't even see him. Aww, he's so cute."
"Just like his daddy," Logan said.
I laughed. "Actually, he is," I said when I noticed how much the sleeping baby looked like sleeping Logan.
Rachel's eyes widened and she shook her head. "He's his daddy's clone."
I giggled. "What's his name?"
"Levi," she said.
"Oh yeah, I remember now. Cute name."
"Thanks," she said.
"Who are you here with?" Logan asked, glancing around since he didn’t see where I'd come from.
"My dad," I said.
"No Tel?" Logan's sister, Charlotte, asked from the other side of the table.
I smiled at her. "No Tel," I said.
"Where are you girls off to next?" she asked.
I sighed. "Dubai, I think."
"Are you not into Dubai?" Logan asked, since my lack of enthusiasm showed.
"It's fine," I said. "It'll be fun once we get there."
Rachel handed me something from their appetizer tray, and I took it from her and ate a bite without really even looking at it. It was some sort of cheese spread on a thin piece of bread, and I smiled as I chewed it, thinking about how Estela would be giving me a hard time about the carbs.
I talked to Logan and his family for ten or fifteen minutes. One person came up and asked for a picture while I was there. She wanted Logan and I both in the photo, and we agreed. We were in the middle of taking it when Rebecca came up and politely asked the customer to go back to her table.
I was glad they had been there. I felt entirely comfortable crashing their lunch for a few minutes, and it gave my dad some time to talk business. I knew he would order me something, so it didn't surprise me when I returned to find a salad on the table in front of my seat.
The guys were still talking when I approached, so I planned on sitting down without interrupting. Cole was talking to my dad, but he made a point of pulling out my chair before I could do it. He didn't stand up and do it with a formal bow or anything, but he also didn't let me do it myself, which made me feel a little gooey inside. I did my best not to smile as I sat down.
Dear California (Martin Family Book 2) Page 3
