Page 40 of Wedding Season
MARIELLABECAMEMOREappealing every minute Alex spent with her.
He’d suggested dinner on a whim because he didn’t want the day to end. He liked Cam and Emma, and although it had been a shock to realize Mariella was joining them on the boat, it had made their time on the water even better. He appreciated her enthusiasm and the way she’d wanted to learn every aspect of being on a boat and fishing.
Enthusiasm attracted Alex more than anything. People who were excited about something—their work or a hobby—he wanted to be around those kinds of people. It didn’t matter if it was scaling a mountain or an obsession with training bonsai trees. He admired passion, and this Magnolia version of Mariella had it in spades.
The only thing Amber had been excited about during their time together was being seen at a trendy hot spot either in NYC or LA. She complained about the press, but instructed her team to make sure there were paparazzi at the ready to snap a few pictures. It was as if the things they did as a couple didn’t count unless they were later documented and dissected on one of the popular gossip sites or could be used for a social media campaign.
At the time, Alex figured it came with the territory of dating a celebrity but he didn’t realize how weary he’d grow of having his life out there for public consumption until his move to this small town.
Mariella seemed as interested in him she was in keeping a low profile, although she garnered notice the way a colorful butterfly might in a room filled with plain moths. She and Amber had that in common—an inherent brightness that drew people to them. And it wasn’t just men. Despite all of her sharp edges, when she let her light shine, Mariella connected with everyone she met.
In the same respect, Alex understood she could never be for him. Not only because of the past they shared. He didn’t possess the radiance that Mariella deserved in a partner.
He had success and money, but those were easy enough to come by for someone with his background. Deep in his soul, Alex was ordinary. His past and his family had made that clear. Part of him wondered if that had been what attracted him to Amber in the first place. If he could gain the notice of a movie star of her caliber that would prove to his family he was interesting and worthy of love and respect.
Some piece of him believed that soaking up the glow of her bright light would make people believe some of that sparkle actually came from him. He’d never understood how to achieve it on his own. Then Amber had cheated and turned the ensuing fallout into an indictment of him. She hadn’t been subtle about it either.
He didn’t know how much was her true belief and what part was about repairing her tarnished reputation, but she’d made it clear in interviews and snippets dropped into the tabloid stories from unnamed sources that he’d held her back. It had been a blow to Alex. During their time together, he’d shared the insecurities he’d had growing up and she’d exposed his weakness on a national stage.
He’d trusted her implicitly, which had been a huge mistake.
If he allowed himself to fall in love again, which was not on his current radar, it would not be with a shining star. He would find a woman with her feet firmly planted on the ground who wanted the same kind of normal, boring life that he knew embodied his real comfort level.
The funny part about Mariella was although he could see her brightness, he didn’t think she recognized that quality in herself. She seemed to enjoy their low-key night at a local hangout as much as he did.
They drove back to the empty parking lot at the marina in companionable silence.
As the evening progressed, his physical awareness of her had grown until he felt it with the power of a tidal wave. It was all he could do not to reach for her and pull her into his arms.
He barely resisted the urge because even more than desiring her, he was starting to realize he wanted her as a friend. He wouldn’t take the chance of pushing her away by asking for something she couldn’t give him. Something that could only end in pain.
His phone rang as they entered the lot, and a local number he didn’t recognize appeared on the screen.
He ignored the ring the first time. As soon as the call went to voice mail, the phone started chirping again.
“You can answer it,” Mariella told him with an incredulous glance. “Maybe it’s a woman offering a Saturday night booty call.”
“No one is phoning me about a booty call,” he said.
“Are you sure?” she asked when the phone continued to ring. He pulled to a stop at the back of her car.
“Just answer it, Alex. You’re fine. It’s not like you need to walk me to my door.”
He accepted the call, at the same time holding up a finger to Mariella. He didn’t want to end the night with the impression he was going to drop her off and then head to some late-night date. He suspected she was acting this way so she’d have an excuse to take off in a snit. He should probably let her. It would allow him to get his swelling need under control.
He was surprised to hear Jack Grage, one of the first employees he’d hired to the Fit Collective, on the line. Alex couldn’t figure out why the project manager would need to get ahold of him so urgently. “What’s going on?” he asked, trying not to sound as irritated as he felt. Ice ran through his veins as the man explained the current situation. “Slow down, Jack. Is Heather okay?”
Mariella stilled in the process of exiting his car. “What’s going on with Heather?”
He held up a finger again and listened as Jack went into more detail. “It’s good you called me. I’ll be there in twenty minutes. Make sure she knows she’s not alone right now.”
Alex disconnected the call then turned to Mariella, who had returned to the passenger seat and shut the door to the car.
“I’ve got this,” he said. “She’s fine. A little rock-climbing accident. Nothing serious.”
Mariella gave him a tight nod. “You can tell me about it on the way. Start driving.”
“You don’t have to get involved.”
