Page 29 of Wedding Season
“I’m sorry,” she repeated then hurried to her car and drove off, leaving him wondering exactly what she was apologizing for and if he’d end up the one who was truly sorry.
MARIELLAWASSTILLthinking about the kiss three days later as she hit the streets for an early-morning run.
The more she tried to put it out of her mind, the more it seemed to be embedded there like a tattoo across her senses. Anything could remind her of it—the brush of a soft piece of fabric over her skin or a minty stick of gum that reminded her of Alex’s spicy taste on her tongue.
Sigh.
Why had he kissed her? The man was infuriating on so many levels, the deepest of which was his general kindness of spirit. She’d been a part of ruining the life of a good person.
Not that she believed in any way Alex and Amber would have ended up happy.
Her former A-list celebrity client was a consummate actress, making her adoring fans—as well as the people in her life—believe she was a kind and caring person. Without a doubt, Amber didn’t deserve Alex but he didn’t deserve the misery Mariella had put him through.
Going to his house and waiting for him hadn’t been her smartest move but it felt necessary. She wanted him to know that she was truly sorry for what she’d done. She’d apologized and told herself she didn’t owe him anything more.
That would have been the end. Except then he’d kissed her. And she kissed him back. Her body just about put on a ticker-tape parade when his tongue slid against hers. It hadn’t been need and desire, although both had been there in spades.
She felt the warmth of his embrace like a revelation. It made her seem not so alone.
She was so sick of being alone. She’d become accustomed to it and figured that was her lot in life.
It shouldn’t bother her. In Magnolia, she had more people who truly cared about her than ever.
She tried to put Alex out of her mind as she finished up the run then turned the corner to Sunnyside Bakery. Although it was early, not quite 7:00 a.m., Mariella had been hitting the pavement before the sun came up each day.
It was important to beat the heat but mostly because she woke early every morning from dreams of Alex and working up a good sweat was the least complicated way to move through her frustrations.
Plus, being one of the first customers into the bakery during the week meant she had time to visit with the gregarious owner. Mary Ellen was usually finishing up whatever baking she’d done for the day and always in the mood to talk.
The older woman was nurturing and gentle. Mariella wondered what it would have been like to grow up with a mother like her instead of the one she’d had with a temper and alcohol-induced narcissism. Today there was a young girl behind the counter and disappointment swirled through Mariella. Silly to think that the bakery owner had enjoyed their dawn visits as much as she did. Maybe she’d paid the young barista extra to come in and run the front of the shop so she wouldn’t have to bother talking with Mariella.
Stupid insecurities. Mariella worked to settle her panting as she walked to the counter to place her order.
“Yoo-hoo,” a familiar voice called out. “I have your muffin over here, dear.”
Mariella turned, shocked to see the bakery owner sitting with Luann and Heather, the only three people in the store other than the barista and Mariella.
She glanced between the trio and the front counter.
“She’ll bring your coffee,” Mary Ellen said, turning her attention to the young woman. “She’s the sugar-free chai latte with an extra pump.”
“I can’t...” Mariella began.
“Of course you can,” Luann said before taking a big swig of coffee. “If I got up at this untenable hour for a meeting, you will at least deign to join us.”
Heather didn’t speak but her glare communicated volumes. She flicked a glance at the door then back to Mariella as if daring her to make an escape.
Her daughter might be a real smarty-pants, but she clearly didn’t know what made Mariella tick. Mariella had never been able to resist a challenge, which had both propelled her forward in life and also gotten her into far too many unfortunate situations.
“What’s this about?” she asked, approaching the table with all the caution of a trainer entering a lion’s den. Had Heather revealed their connection and now Luann and Mary Ellen were going to rake Mariella over the coals for the choice she’d made to give up her baby for adoption?
“I know you don’t like meetings,” Mary Ellen said, patting the chair next to her. “Or getting involved with the town on an official basis. So I thought this might be the best time to get your attention.”
“Why do you need my attention?” Mariella slowly sat next to the bakery owner.
“To talk about the Magnolia Blossom Festival.”
Mariella picked up the bran muffin and methodically unwrapped it. “I’m already a sponsor. The store is paying for signage and donating a huge basket to the silent auction. Plus, I heard Emma talking about the inn offering a weekend stay as well. What more do you want and what does any of this have to do with these two?” She pointed a finger at first Luann and then Heather before tearing off a bite of muffin.
