Kiss Me Crazy (16 page)

***

Kara couldn’t get Baron off her mind after he caled.

Sunday, four days away, then it would just be the two of them. The very thought was exhilarating and a little scary. Instead of dweling on it, she got busy.

First she placed a cal to Chloe to make an appointment.

She was due for a retouch down under. Or maybe she’d go for something daring like a Brazilian wax. Chloe found her a spot on Friday evening, which coincided with Baron’s “dessert” date.

Cancel or tel him to come later? She fretted about it for hours then decided to go with later. If she was going to live dangerously, there was no room for cold feet. Then she caled Renee’s realtor friend and made a second appointment. She’d read the lease agreement, had Renee go through it with a fine toothed comb, and was happy with the terms. She’d sign the lease for her future store before leaving.

Kara was so wired up even Briana’s mother-in-law’s arrival later that evening couldn’t dampen her spirits. Not that she had anything to worry about. The woman seemed genuinely eager to take care of Briana and her unborn baby.

***

The next morning, Kara left for L.A. without an ounce of regret. Instead of going home, she stopped to sign the lease for her future store then went to the galery.

“Nice to have you back,” Maya said when Kara walked in.

“What’s up with the travel bag? Going somewhere again?”

“No, just got back.”

“Good, because I’m supposed to cal you for consult if a customer wants one.”

Kara frowned and glanced upstairs at Baron’s office.

“Why? Where is everybody?”

“The boss, Rick, and the witch are having some hush-hush meeting upstairs.”

Kara was tempted to ask what was going on, but held her tongue. How was she going to finish the Halè painting if she was on cal? “Okay. Buzz me if you need me.”

The first thing she noticed when she walked in was the single rose on her desk. Smiling, Kara picked it up and inhaled the soft fragrance. There was no card or note, yet she knew it came from Baron.

She found a used green tea bottle, filed it with water and dropped the rose in it. Then she placed the makeshift vase by the phone where she could see it while she worked. She turned off the ringer on the phone then went about setting her paints and brushes.

Next she planted herself in front of the painting and studied the area she’d cleaned before her sudden exit to San Diego. Next she used a magnifying glass and UV-light. No residues left. She sat on her stool, picked up a brush and the synthetic, non-yelowing varnish and got busy.

Kara didn’t know how long she worked before the flashing light on her phone drew her attention. She put the paintbrush down, removed the jeweler’s eyeglass from her forehead, and reached for the phone. “Yes?”

“Mrs. Estele Fitzgerald’s on the line for you,” Maya said in a tone tinged with awe.

Kara blinked. She couldn’t have heard right. “Are you sure she’s asking for me, Maya?”

“Yes,” Maya whispered. “Here she is.”

“Helo, Kara. Am I bothering you?”

Baron’s mother? Caling her? Why? And what did she expect her to say to that question? Kara took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “No, you’re not bothering me, Mrs. Fitzgerald. I was just about to take a break. How are you doing?”

“Just fine, thanks for asking. You and I haven’t spoken in while, have we?”

Not since the mess with Valerie. Their paths had crossed, a smile and a how-are-you-doing exchanged, nothing big. “Yes, it’s been a while. What can I do for you?”

“I have a meeting with my lawyer, unfortunately the man’s running late. Can you take pity on me and alow me to visit with you for a spel?”

Oh please, like I’d say no.
“Sure. It’s no problem.”

“That’s wonderful. What do you say to a quick bite?” Kara looked at her watch. It was almost one in the afternoon, no wonder her stomach was growling. As for her attire, it wasn’t what she’d wear to lunch with a society woman like Estele Fitzgerald.

“That’s fine, though I usualy grab a sandwich from a deli down the street.” She cringed. The woman probably didn’t visit delis.

“A sandwich sounds fabulous,” Mrs. Fitzgerald said.

“What’s your preference?”

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

“Kara, are you stil there?” Estele asked impatiently.

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

“Don’t worry, it’s my treat. I’l 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?

Kara threw up her hands and eyed her workroom with disgust. There was no way Estele Fitzgerald could eat in here. The smel of paint and the crowded desk might not bother Kara, but for entertaining someone used to al sorts of luxuries, it was sorely lacking. Even if she offered Estele the use of the one decent chair in the room and Kara took the painting stool, she’d stil 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 Estele hold a fundraiser in La Baron Galeria 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 Estele 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 wals. 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 Estele 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 briliant, 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 Estele 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 frils 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,” Estele 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 bels 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.

“Cal me Estele, 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.

Estele 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 carefuly 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 Estele’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 puled out the chair near the head of the table and indicated to Estele 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 Estele 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 Estele would want to do this again? “I meant to say—”

“No, no, I love the idea.” Estele 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’l 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.

“Actualy I’l be gone for two straight weeks. I’l 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.

Estele 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. “Actualy, mine’s a working vacation.”

“My son the slave driver…my fault realy, he’s a chip off this old lady.” Estele 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. Estele 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 Estele said, “I heard you’re planning to leave the galery.” 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 Estele 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 Estele was waiting for an answer, and nodded. “Yes. I plan to open a custom-framing store but wil offer my services as a restorer as wel. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and the timing’s perfect.” Her voice sounded a tad defensive but she stared Estele squarely as she spoke.

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

The enthusiastic response surprised Kara and had her opening up about her goals. Estele encouraged her with nods and asked questions without being judgmental. When there was a lul 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 tel 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 wil 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.” Estele’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’l set the bal roling?”

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.

Estele 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, cal 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, stil sporting a conspirator’s grin. “Thanks for sharing your dream with me and letting me pul you away from work, Kara.”

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

As she escorted the older woman toward the main galey 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 galery and wil probably compete with the restorer he finds to replace me?”

Estele stopped walking and gave her a secretive smile. “I don’t think Baron wil 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,” Estele 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 puled 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 al wounds, no matter how deep.” She kissed Kara on the cheek. “We must do this again. Cal me when you get back from Idaho.”

Bemused, Kara watched Estele disappear into the galery.

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 al 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 Estele seem a little too eager to see her leave the galery? Did she disapprove of her relationship with Baron? Was that why she was so encouraging and wiling 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 al she’d agreed to, nothing more.

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