Page 10 of Marsala and Magnolias

“And what did Cam think?”

“He’s taken him through to the final three.”

“Then you have to tell him.”

Mary Ellen took a sip of her wine but didn’t say anything.

“And I still don’t get where Antonio comes into any of it.”

“Antonio overheard me talking to my mom. He was sitting right behind me; it wasn’t his fault. I was so embarrassed when I realized that he’d overheard everything I said. I told her I’d rather grow old alone than be David’s second choice and I talked about how he dumped me for someone prettier and sweeter and …” She shook her head. “He overheard all of it.”

Chelsea frowned. “And what did he say to you?”

Mary Ellen couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face. “He was so sweet, Chelsea. He told me David must be an asshole, and that I’m a real woman and I’m beautiful and that I shouldn’t be someone’s second choice because someday I’ll be someone’s one and only choice. He was so damned sweet.”

Chelsea put both her hands on her heart and grinned. “Aww, bless him. He is a big sweetie, really. I feel bad for giving him a hard time now, but I thought he was the one who’d upset you somehow.”

Mary Ellen shook her head. “No, the only thing that upset me was embarrassment that he’d heard everything, and I was shocked that he was so kind and caring. He wasn’t the guy I thought he was.”

Chelsea rolled her eyes. “I’ve been telling you that for years.”

“I know, I know.”

“So, what are you going to do?”

“There’s nothing I can do. I mean, it’s not as though he likes me or anything; he was just being kind.”

Chelsea raised her eyebrows. “I meant about David, but I find it interesting that you’re more concerned about Antonio.”

“Oh.” Mary Ellen wanted to make an excuse, but there was no point. She gave her friend a rueful smile. “I want Cam to hire whoever he thinks is best.”

“Fair enough, but don’t make him choose blind. He needs to know who David is, and I’m sure that will affect his decision. He won’t want David around if he knows how it will affect you.”

Mary Ellen nodded. She knew Chelsea was right. She’d been trying to bury her head in the sand, but it wouldn’t be fair to Cameron to let him hire David and then find out the history there.

“It’s okay. If you don’t want to tell him. I will.”

“No. You can’t blackmail me into it that way. I’ll tell him myself tomorrow.”

“Good. And what about Antonio?”

“What about him?”

Chelsea grinned. “Well. It’s no great secret that you’ve had this crush on him. Now that you can finally see what a good guy he is, are you going to go out with him?”

“Ha! Aren’t you forgetting that he gets a say in this too?”

“No. He likes you. I think it’s time the two of you finally went out.”

“He does not. If he liked me, he’d have hit on me years ago—and you know damned well I wouldn’t have been able to resist. I’d have fallen right into his bed just like the rest of them.”

“So, what’s stopping you now?”

Mary Ellen shook her head. “He was just being kind.” And if he really did like her? Would she still want her turn in his bed?

Chelsea sighed. “Maybe he’s the fling you need right now. He could help you past this whole David episode. Boost you back up.”

Mary Ellen smiled. Wouldn’t that be something?

---