Rich, Rugged...Royal. Cynthia Rutledge
back in the chair. “It happened once. I don’t want it to happen again.”
Actually, he wanted to remind her, it had happened twice, not once. And the problem seemed to be that she did want it to happen again.
He smiled reassuringly. “I’ve already promised that when I move in, I’ll keep my distance.”
Though Alex truly meant the words, he wondered how long he’d be able to keep that promise. Even now, keeping his distance wasn’t that easy. She was so pretty with her dark hair brushing her shoulders and her large almond-shaped green eyes. Her ivory skin was smooth and clear and if she had any flaw at all, it was her charming tendency to blush at the slightest provocation.
Spending the next six months with her would be a pleasure. Even though he’d have to pay for the privilege, Alex thought with a wry smile.
“Why don’t you give me the grand tour?” Alex asked. “If it’s acceptable, we’ll talk money.”
Up until this year he’d never had to give a thought to what things cost. Now he did nothing but think about it. It seemed so gauche; such bad form to talk dollars and cents. But he had no choice.
“That’s not going to work,” Lauren said.
Alex frowned. “What’s not going to work? Giving the tour today? Or waiting to discuss money?”
“Both,” Lauren said. “I’m telling you for the last time. There’s no way you’re moving in.”
Chapter Four
After leaving Alex at the coffee shop, Lauren returned home to find a stack of bills in her mailbox. For a moment she was tempted to subscribe to her mother’s out-of-sight, out-of-mind philosophy and toss ’em into the trash. Instead she put them on the desk, where they joined all the other statements waiting to be paid.
A sick feeling washed over her. Broadview Academy only paid their teachers monthly and the check she’d just gotten was already gone.
If she let Alex move in, she’d have all sorts of money. Maybe even enough left after paying bills for that cashmere sweater at Nordstrom…
She shoved the crazy thought aside and reminded herself that Alex wasn’t her only option. St. Louis was a big city. There had to be any number of respectable men and women looking for a place to live. All she had to do was find one.
Two hours later, Lauren was less optimistic but not dissuaded. She’d called every person she could think of asking if they knew of a potential roommate for her. Her gaze drifted back to the stack of bills. The problem was she couldn’t really afford to wait around hoping one of the “possibilities” that had been mentioned would pan out.
The shrill ring of the phone kicked her heart into overdrive and renewed her hope. She snatched the phone from the cradle and prayed it was one of her friends calling back to say they’d found someone who was interested in the room.
The credit-card companies would be happy and she could almost feel soft cashmere against her skin. “Hello.”
“Lauren.” Surprise echoed in her mother’s voice. “I didn’t think I’d catch you at home.”
Lauren stifled a groan. She’d have preferred a telemarketer.
“I was prepared to leave a message.”
“I could hang up and let it go to voice mail,” Lauren offered.
Her mother laughed, apparently not realizing Lauren was serious. “Your father and I want you to come to the house for dinner tonight.”
Lauren paused, instantly suspicious. Her parents always entertained their friends on the weekend. Not to mention she’d just been there for dinner.
“It’s Saturday,” Lauren said finally. “I assumed you’d be having people over.”
“We are,” her mother said pleasantly. “But there’s no rule that says our daughter can’t be one of the guests.”
“Thanks for the invitation,” Lauren said. “But I already have plans.”
“A date?” her mother asked, surprise evident in her tone.
“Actually I’m going over to Sara’s for dinner.”
“Tell her you’ll come another time,” her mother said as if that settled the matter. “Did I mention that your father met the nicest man at the Club the other day? He thinks the two of you would be perfect for each other.”
Suddenly all the pieces fell into place.
“Let me guess,” Lauren said. “This nice man just happens to be coming to dinner tonight?”
“As a matter of fact, he is,” her mother said with obvious satisfaction. “He’s a great catch—thirty-three, moderately attractive and runs his own business. A business, I might add, that has been very successful. Best of all, he’s unattached.”
“Unattached?” Lauren couldn’t keep the suspicion from her voice.
“He soon will be,” her mother said. “He’s in the process of filing for divorce.”
“He’s married?” Despite Lauren’s intention to keep emotion out of the conversation, her voice rose.
“You weren’t listening,” her mother said in a lighthearted tone. “He’s already met with an attorney. The timing couldn’t be more perfect. Did I mention he’s an entrepreneur?”
“Yes, you did.” Lauren congratulated herself on keeping her tone even, though she was seething inside. “But as I said, I’m not able to make it tonight. And, even if I were available, I’m not interested in married men.”
“He’s not married,” her mother protested. “He’s—”
“I know,” Lauren interjected. “He’s filing for divorce. I’m not interested in dating those kind of men either.”
Her mother sighed. “You’re never going to find anyone decent with that attitude.”
Silence filled the phone line.
“Lauren, honey.” This time her mother’s tone was conciliatory. “You can have dinner with Sara anytime. I know you’d like Chad if you’d just give him a chance. But timing is crucial. You need to snatch him up while he’s available.”
Lauren thought about reminding her mother the guy really wasn’t available, but knew her comment would fall on deaf ears.
“I’m not changing my plans.” Lauren wondered for the hundredth time how she’d ended up with such parents. They were basically nice people but they had a strange way of looking at the world.
Opportunistic was the word she’d settled on back in high school when her father had almost gone to prison for investment fraud. She’d decided it sounded better than amoral or criminal.
“And I’m not interested in your latest prospect.” Lauren added in case her mother still hadn’t gotten the message.
“He’ll be here at seven,” her mother said as if Lauren hadn’t spoken. “Wear something pretty. And low cut. Might as well show off your assets.”
“I’m not comin—”
“See you at seven.”
The dial tone sounded and Lauren resisted the urge to strangle the phone. Why couldn’t she have had a normal mother? Marion Cunningham of Happy Days would never have tried to fix Joanie up with a married man. Olivia Walton would have never tried—
Lauren forced the comparisons from her mind and reminded herself she had more important things to worry about than her mother and her ridiculous matchmaking.
She had bills to pay.
And