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  She was glad her friends couldn’t read her thoughts as she typed out her response: His daughter asked me to join them. I’m going to help with wedding planning.

  Exciting! Weddings are so fun. Remi could find the bright side of a blackout.

  Charlie responded: It’s kind of you to help her. Did Carlos find an apartment?

  Where is Superman when I need him? I want him to fly backward around the earth and give me years back. I’m not ready for him to move out. Mari fought tears as she typed. I don’t care that I’m old. I don’t care that I’ll be alone, but I care that I’ll be without him. He won’t need me anymore. No one will.

  She wiped her eyes and continued tapping away at the keyboard: He left this evening while I was at dinner. They look at apartments tomorrow.

  Charlie replied first: Want me to come out there? I have some leave time I can take.

  I can write anywhere! Maybe I’ll stay out there and write cowboy romances or billionaire romances or maybe one about a billionaire cowboy. Give me five minutes to pack. Remi wrote romance novels for a living, which skewed her view of the world in a delightful and entertaining way.

  I’m okay. Y’all don’t need to hop on a plane. Mari shifted the laptop and leaned back against the pile of pillows. I’m happy he’s growing up.

  Want to talk about why you are taking it so hard? In her mid-fifties, Charlie had three children, who had all moved out years before.

  Mari wasn’t ready. Not ready to unpack all that yet.

  Planning the wedding will help keep you busy. But message us A LOT. Remi had a vibrancy Mari craved.

  I will. Mari shook her head, thinking of people who referred to online relationships as cheap imitations. She’d found true friendship thanks to the internet.

  Charlie ended the conversation: You better! Night all.

  Chapter 3

  Travis glanced at the clock as he hit send on the email, hoping that Mr. Colter didn’t take an early lunch. With more than half the day’s task list crossed off, Travis had no reservations about leaving the office. When a knock sounded on the door his office shared with Mari's, he smiled, excited about the afternoon for more reasons than one.

  “Come in.”

  Mari hooked her purse on her shoulder. “Ready?”

  “Just one more second.” He saved files, then shut off the machine. “Where are we headed?”

  “A plantation in Kendall County and another venue just outside of San Antonio. But not in that order.” She fished in her purse and pulled out keys. “They both look really nice from what I saw online.”

  He waited for her to look up, wanting to read the reaction in her brown eyes to his suggestion. “I’ll need the addresses, or we could ride together—unless you’d rather not.”

  Surprise registered. “We can take your car.” She grinned as she dropped her keys back in their spot.

  He didn’t hide his delight, but he did keep quiet about how he’d hoped she’d want to make the drive together. “Did Kate find a wedding coordinator?”

  “Yes. And she’s meeting us out there.”

  Remembering the receptionists sitting outside his office, Travis stopped before opening the door. “Take my keys. I need to do one quick thing, and I’ll meet you at the car.”

  She shot him a puzzled look but didn’t ask any questions.

  Walking out together when the office was empty was one thing, leaving together at lunchtime could start rumors he wanted to avoid. He should have let her take her own car, except he wanted to be able to chat with her between venues.

  After delaying three minutes, he stepped out of his office. “Fran, Erika, I’m headed out to meet Kate. If something urgent comes up, text me.”

  “Yes, sir.” Fran flashed him a nervous grin. She’d worked in the position six months and still acted as if she was afraid of breaking something.

  Erika nodded. “I think Mari is out for the afternoon.”

  “She is, so contact me on my cell if there’s a problem.” Travis stepped onto the elevator, leaving work behind and looking forward to the outing.

  When he slid in behind the wheel, Mari handed him the keys. “The first place is just off the interstate west of here. I’ll tell you where to exit.”

  He eased onto the highway, wondering if she’d guessed the reason for his delay. “So, tell me about the place we’re seeing first.”

  “Looks beautiful. And it’s not far from town, which is convenient. They have a gazebo and seating outside for the ceremony. The reception would be indoors.”

  “Cons?” Travis had learned to read between the lines when Mari gave him details.

  “It’s not very big. I’m not sure how many people Kate is planning to invite. She hasn’t said, but the place seats one hundred, maybe one fifty.”

  “She asked me for a list last night, but I haven’t sent it yet. I think mine will have more people than that place will hold.”

  “I’ll mention something.”

  Travis didn’t want to add stress to Kate’s planning. “No, don’t. This is Kate’s wedding. Whatever she wants. I can narrow my list to five people if necessary.”

  “This is your exit. Go left under the bridge. The place is up on the left.”

  They parked, but Kate and Alex hadn’t yet arrived. Mari stepped out and smiled. Dappled sunlight danced on the driveway, and birds chirped in the tree canopy. The venue had all the ingredients for a romantic day, but it was smaller than Travis had imagined.

  Cars pulled in, and a woman walked out of the building. Travis hung back, watching as Mari greeted Kate and Alex, then met the wedding planner and the woman from the venue.

  Appreciative of the extra time spent with Mari, Travis grappled with his thoughts. Because of the age difference, he’d assumed she wouldn’t be interested, but there were moments last night that made him question that assumption. But as things were, since he was her boss, he couldn’t open the door to a relationship. It risked making her uncomfortable if she felt differently, and it risked raised eyebrows from others at the company and in the corporate world in which he did business. So, he had to wait until life changed, choosing to enjoy the friendship as it was.

  He tagged along as they toured the venue, and Alex fell in step beside Travis.

  Alex tucked his hands in his pockets, eying Kate as he walked. “Thought I should warn you—Kate is very excited that Mari is helping with the wedding planning.”

  Travis ignored the implication. “I’m glad she’s helping. Between Mari and a wedding planner, Kate might be able to enjoy the process.”

  “She’s happy for the help, but she’s also happy that … never mind. What do you think of this place?”

  “It’s surprisingly quiet, considering how much is around here.”

  “We’re thinking it’s not going to hold enough people. That’s what Kate was saying on the way over here.”

  “Maybe the next place will be the one.” Travis smiled when Mari waved him over. “I’m wanted.” He hoped that was true, in more ways than one.

  Chapter 4

  Mari guessed that maybe they’d found the perfect spot as Travis pulled up to the plantation. She loved the view from the hilltop location and couldn’t wait to see inside the large house.

  Vivian, the wedding coordinator, talked with Kate and Alex on the wrap-around porch. A woman stepped out to greet them.

  Before getting out of the car, Mari made her prediction to Travis. “I think maybe she’ll choose this place.”

  “How many does it seat?”

  “Not sure, but I think five hundred.”

  “Ready to see it?” He climbed out and opened her door.

  As they approached the group, the woman turned to face them. “Mr. and Mrs. Bentley, so glad you could join us. I’m Tessa.”

  Mari hoped her face didn’t register her shock. “Oh, we aren’t—I’m a friend helping Kate.” She wasn’t sure whether to be horrified someone had mistaken her for Travis’s wife or to be depressed someone thought her
old enough to be Kate’s mother. Did she really look old enough to have a thirty-two-year-old daughter?

  Tessa paled. “Please forgive me. I’m so sorry.”

  Kate jumped in, rescuing the group from any more awkwardness. “If we wanted to do the ceremony outside, is there a place for that?”

  “Absolutely. Let me show you. It’s beautiful.” Tessa led them around the porch to the other side of the house. “And the grass is always that gorgeous green, no matter the season.”

  Travis tapped Mari on the arm, motioning for her to hang back. Once the others were out of earshot, he chuckled. “I’m sure she thought you were a step-mom—a newer, younger model.”

  “Right. I’m sure that’s what it was.” She winked for added effect. “Know any good therapists? Plastic surgeons?”

  His eyes twinkled when he laughed.

  How had she never noticed that before? And how could she go back to not noticing? Overwhelmed with attraction, she changed the subject. “You like this place?”

  “I like what I see.” He didn’t even look around. “We should probably join them, so we can get the full tour.”

  Mari agreed, and they hurried to catch up.

  As the group walked the grounds, taking in the details, Mari tried to focus on the information and not entirely on the man beside her.

  After a half hour, Kate eased up next to her dad and slipped her arm through his. “What do you think, Dad?”

  “I think it’s perfect.” His blue eyes held a mesmerizing gleam.

  Tessa and Vivian stepped away to secure the reservation.

  “You were right.” He flashed a lopsided grin as Kate and Alex stole away to a corner.

  Mari discovered that being right held more reward when that grin was part of the prize. “I am once in a while.”

  Just as Mari pushed open her front door, Remi messaged. And as typical, she included Charlie in the thread. How’d it go today?

  Mari had mentioned she planned to visit venues, but she hadn’t expected her friends to be waiting for details. And with the shift in her emotions, she needed to answer cautiously. Went fine, if you ignore the time the lady thought I was the boss’s wife, and by extension—the mother of a 32yo.

  Charlie was the first to respond. What were you doing that she assumed you were married?

  We only got out of the car. Mari felt silly defending herself.

  Remi chimed in: You rode together? Who drove?

  He drove. Mari could almost hear the tsk tsk from Charlie.

  You need to tell us what he drives. It’s important. Remi wasn’t letting up.

  Mari braced for the ribbing. A red convertible Porsche.

  So, what did you say to the lady? Charlie kept things on topic.

  Mari recounted the rest of the story, including Travis’s comment and her response.

  You flirted! Remi followed her message with hearts.

  Mari stared at the screen, a knot forming in her stomach. No. It wasn’t like that.

  It couldn’t be like that. He was her boss, and flirting would have crossed all sort of unstated boundaries.

  After a quick goodbye, she laid the phone aside and replayed the scene in her head. It wasn’t flirting, was it? She’d behaved like she always did at the office. After working together for seven years, she and Travis had a rapport, so she’d thought nothing of his teasing. Although, she couldn’t remember a time when he behaved quite like that at the office.

  She shook her head, trying to sort out her thoughts. She didn’t want to assume meaning where none was intended, but she also didn’t want to send the wrong message or give Kate the impression that Mari had her sights set on Travis. The idea had never occurred to her. Thanks to the lady at the plantation, that idea now flashed like a lightbulb in Mari’s head.

  Helping with the wedding meant Mari would be spending time with Travis outside the office. She’d have to be extra careful with what she said and how she reacted.

  By the end of the day on Wednesday, Mari was more relaxed about the situation. Travis acted as he always did at the office, and none of their interactions since that day on the porch would have been mistaken as flirting—not even by Remi.

  As Mari checked her calendar, Travis strolled into her office. “Kate wondered if you were free Friday and Saturday night. She’s narrowed down the rehearsal dinner places and wanted to get our opinions.” He straightened the corners on a stack of paper. “Carlos is welcome to come along.”

  “Kate emailed me. I’m free, but Carlos has stuff going all weekend. It was kind of you to invite him.”

  “Good. Great. You’ve been such a big help. I know Kate appreciates it. I do, too.” He continued to fiddle with the papers.

  “I’m happy to help. It’s not like I’ve done much, but I’ve enjoyed spending time with Kate.” Picking up the papers, which needed to be filed, she stood, putting her eye-level with his chest. Mari hadn’t noticed before how amazing he smelled. Not strong but very inviting, the scent wrapped around her and tugged at her.

  He didn’t move right away, which made fighting the urge to step closer and bury her nose in his shirt a little more difficult.

  “I, uh—these need to be filed.”

  “Let me get out of your way.” He stepped aside, but his gaze stayed riveted to her face. “I’m happy to pick you up both nights.”

  “I don’t want to inconvenience you.” She opened the file drawer, trying to remember which letter came after P in the alphabet.

  “Not at all.” Arms crossed, he leaned on the wall next to the filing cabinet. “If you’ll just send me your address.”

  “I’ll do that. Do you need me to order dinner for you tonight?”

  Travis had been a widower more than a year, and she was almost certain he hadn’t cooked a single meal for himself in all that time.

  “Nah. I’ll just grab something. You can take off.”

  “Okay then. I guess I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “See you tomorrow.” He wandered back into his office.

  Mari pulled her purse out of the bottom drawer, wondering if there was anything she forgot to do. She tapped the top of her head to confirm that she had her glasses before walking out the door. Then she remembered. Tomorrow’s meeting! I didn’t remind him. She pushed open his door, knocking as she did.

  Travis stepped back, his hand on the knob. “Oh, I was just going to see if I could catch you.”

  “Wha—” Her phone rang, her son’s picture filling the screen. “Let me grab this.”

  “Sure.” Travis did that leaning thing again.

  She shifted, staring at the carpet. “Hey, Carlos.”

  “Just letting you know I’m making dinner. Should be ready soon. Hope you don’t have to work late.”

  “Thanks for cooking. I shouldn’t be too much longer.” Mari slipped her phone back in her purse and focused on Travis again. “I’m sorry. What did you need?”

  He shook his head. “It can wait. See you in the morning.”

  “Bye.” She hurried out toward the elevator.

  Halfway home, she remembered she’d forgotten to remind him, so when she pulled into her driveway, she texted him: Just a reminder I have an appointment in the morning. I’ll be late getting into the office.

  Good to know. Now I won’t worry about you.

  His text made her smile, then panic a little. Maybe she’d been spending too much time with him. Or maybe she was reading more into what he said, mistaking his casual friendly comment as almost flirtatious.

  Chapter 5

  Settled at his desk, Travis opened the takeout container. With the wedding date set, he could make plans for the rest of the summer—and beyond. Scrolling through symphony dates, he tried to decide which weekend would be best.

  He opted for a Saturday a few weeks after the wedding.

  After arranging for the tickets, he leaned back, imagining how he would extend the invitation. He hoped by then, the situation would be less complicated.

  Wa
tching Mari hesitate when she’d stood up in front of him, seeing the quick glance she shot him before pointing to the filing cabinet added another glimmer of hope that maybe he wasn’t alone in his interest.

  Seeing her walk into a room put a smile on his face. Single again, he hadn’t planned on dating, but the more time he spent with Mari, the more time he wanted to spend with her—in the office, outside the office, anywhere.

  But being her boss, he couldn’t be impulsive or irresponsible. Timing was everything. A few times in the last few days, he’d come close to saying too much.

  Late Thursday afternoon, after most employees had gone home, Mari knocked as she walked into his office. “Anne called. She wanted to know if you had a few minutes to talk.”

  Travis nodded, wondering it might be about. Anne had worked for the company many years and had never requested a meeting on short notice. “Of course. Did she say if everything was okay?”

  “She didn’t say much. I’ll be in my office if you need me.”

  Travis hated keeping Mari late but appreciated that she cared enough to stay. “Thanks.”

  When Anne walked into his office five minutes later, he could see from the tissue clenched in her hand that she wasn’t as calm as she appeared.

  “Everything okay, Anne?”

  She sat, then jumped back up, pacing. “I’m moving. My daughter had a baby a few months ago. They live in Tennessee. After visiting last month, I decided that I need to be close to my grandbaby.”

  Travis stifled his laugh. When she walked in, he had been worried that something happened at the office to upset her. Glad that the situation was different, he smiled. “Congratulations on your grandbaby. I completely understand that you want to be close. You’ll be missed. Have you told Roger?”