Page 56 of California Love Songs
“You know Crystal always planned to be a doctor.”
“Of course I know. I used to watch her working so hard at school. Harder than Erin, if I’m honest. She had such hopes and dreams. She wanted to go to med school and I always imagined she’d make an excellent doctor. But we all know what happened. I know it broke her heart, but she did the right thing.”
Damien nodded. “I know. She was amazing. She still is. But here’s the thing, Mom. Why can’t she go to college now? She’s only thirty.”
His mom stared at him as though such a thing had never occurred to her. “She’s created and is running a very successful business. Just because she’s not on the path she originally chose doesn’t mean she’s not on the right path.”
Damien couldn’t help but frown. “I know, but I think she’s really interested in going back to school. Even if she doesn’t go all the way to med school, she could get a degree. You’ve seen how good her staff are. I don’t think she needs to work full-time. I think she could do school as well.”
Betsy gave him her full attention. “But what does Crystal think? That’s what’s important.”
“I think she’s interested, and she’s scared. You’re a college professor. You could advise her. Mom, would you talk to her?”
“You know I will, but I think it’s important that Crystal comes to me. I don’t want her to know that we’ve talked about her, and I don’t want her to feel pushed. I completely support higher education, obviously. But it has to be right for her. And if she asks for my help, you know I’ll do everything in my power to give it. I can advise her, find the right people for her to talk to.”
His mom might be advising caution, but he could see she was already getting excited about the idea.
“Thanks, Mom!” He wrapped his arms around her in a huge bear hug, lifting her right off her feet and swinging her around the kitchen. It was something he’d been doing since he was a teenager, as soon as he got big enough to hoist her up in his arms. But he hadn’t done it for a while and they were both laughing and breathless when he put her down.
When she’d caught her breath, she said, “I hear you’re hosting Crystal’s thirtieth birthday party. You know I’m happy to have it at our place if you prefer.”
Damien shook his head. “I really want to do it.”
His mom narrowed her eyes a little. “Are you absolutely sure you’re going to be here? I know what your life is like. You’ll get a call, and some sultan will want you to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to his daughter and pay you a couple million for it. And you’ll be gone.”
“Mom,” he said a little sternly, “I’ve said I’ll be here for Crys’s birthday, and I will.”
Her face softened. “Okay.”
At that moment, the rest of the Davenport clan poured into the kitchen talking loudly over one another about which restaurant they should order from. He caught Crystal’s eye across the room and mouthed, Let’s go.
She smiled a contented, secretive smile and nodded in reply. She’d never looked so beautiful.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Damien could live a pretty normal life in Carmel. There were enough celebrities around that he wasn’t a novelty, so most people left him alone. Besides, with his usual dark ball cap hiding his signature curls, and sunglasses, he wasn’t all that recognizable. But when he was in a restaurant where there were likely to be tourists, things could be a little more problematic. He was grateful to his fans and never forgot they’d given him his career, but still, when he was on a date he didn’t want to be giving autographs and posing for selfies.
He’d spent all day trying to come up with the best place to take Crystal for a romantic dinner before dragging her to a divey jazz club. His first instinct had been to keep things discreet, and he’d thought of asking his favorite chef to make them a fancy picnic, or maybe hiring out a whole restaurant so they could have it to themselves. But that seemed more show-offy than romantic. Not Crystal’s vibe at all.
He felt bad that he didn’t know her favorite restaurant. In all the years they’d been friends, he’d never been in the habit of wining and dining her. Most of their meals had been with his family or hers, or something they’d grab on the fly when they were out together.
After racking his brain, he’d finally had the very excellent idea of asking Erin. He had no idea whether Crystal had spoken to Erin about the sudden change in their relationship, but right now it didn’t matter. He took her aside in the living room and said he wanted to take Crystal out for dinner and did Erin know her favorite places?
She did, of course, but instead of naming any of the fine-dining restaurants in and around Carmel, she said, “Do you know what she loves better than anything? Way more than a fancy restaurant? Proper Mexican food.”
The moment Erin said it, it made perfect sense. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t thought of it himself. “Where’s the best Mexican food around here?”
Erin paused. “Hmm, it changes all the time. The best person to ask is her mom.”
And so Damien found himself phoning Sofia Lopez. Crystal’s mother was one of the nicest and most hardworking women he’d ever known. He understood where Crystal got her work ethic as well as her values. He felt slightly sheepish calling Sofia after seducing her daughter, but he put his own embarrassment aside and put Crystal’s best interests first.
When he identified himself, she said, “Damien Davenport, I haven’t seen you in far too long. Are you still too skinny and eating nothing but plants?”
He laughed. His parents hadn’t blinked an eye when he first told them he’d become a plant-based eater, but Sofia Lopez seemed to take it personally. She loved to cook stews and sauces with rich spices and meat.
“Not so skinny,” he said, “but still eating the plants.” Before he got a lecture on the pleasures of food, he cut right to the chase. “Sofia, I’m calling because I need your help. I want to take Crystal out tonight for her favorite meal. Where should I book?”
“Her very favorite meal? Why, that would be in Monterey. But you won’t need a reservation.” She laughed softly and then told him the name of a taco stand Crystal adored. “The chefs there are from Guadalajara, and the way they do their Mexican dishes will make your heart sing.”
