Love Contract (The Match Broker) (7 page)

Chapter 9

A
drian finally got into the spirit of things and the two of them bounced for a long time. Milán laughed so hard watching Adrian try to do tricks and fall that she started hiccupping.

“You’re going to pay for that,” he threatened advancing toward her.

Milán shrieked and tried her best to run from him. It was so bouncy that her running looked more like an animated cartoon. She fell and bounced up and down a few times. When she stopped, Milán tried to get up but a hand clamped around her foot.

“Got you,” Adrian said triumphantly.

“That’s cheating,” she protested trying to slither away.

Milán broke free and tried to run, but this time when she was knocked off her feet, it was by Adrian’s entire body. He tackled her. Milán went down and dragged him with her. They rolled over a few times before coming to rest in a heap by the entrance door.

Sprawled on top of him, Milán tried her best to extricate herself from Adrian’s arms. She slipped and her hand ended up in his groin. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry,” she croaked. She shifted again trying desperately not to do it again. She held onto his arm instead.

“It’s okay. Here, you try to get up first and I’ll keep still,” he offered.

“All right.” Milán rolled onto her knees and tried to stand up. When she finally got to her feet she let out a whoop of excitement. “Want me to help you?” she asked Adrian.

“No, you could end up in my lap again. Not that I would mind in the least,” he teased. “You try and make it for the door. Don’t worry about me,” he called after her. “Save yourself.”

Milán giggled. She tried to concentrate her efforts on getting back on solid ground.

“Hooray,” Milán shouted with joy as she slid out of the opening and back onto a flat surface.

Adrian came out a few moments later. “We made it.”

“Yes.” Milán smiled up at him. “I think we did rather well. Want to go again?”

“Not on your life.”

They chatted amiably until Milán was called off to help with something. Adrian assured her he would catch up to her later.

More people showed up to the carnival to support the congregation’s efforts to raise money for the community. The church focused the day’s proceeds on aid for housing, after-school programs for their youth and classes at the neighborhood community center. Their pastor spoke briefly about the importance of their work, the success of their efforts thus far and implored more people to get involved by lending a helping hand to others through community service efforts.

Before long, Adrian and quite a few others were standing in line to sign up.

When Milán spotted him, a surprised look crossed her face. Moving closer, she overheard a woman mention that Adrian had signed up to give seminars. Before she could stop herself, she blurted out, “What kind of seminars?”

A man told her the classes were to help people navigate the real estate market by finding programs that granted money to first-time buyers for a down payment.

“So their dreams become reality.”

“Exactly,” one of them gushed. “I think that’s a wonderful idea.”

“During these tough economic times, people need all the help they can get,” another person chimed in.

Unable to help herself, Milán sought Adrian out. She found him studying the selections at the dessert table.

“What are you doing?”

Adrian glanced up. “What’s it look like? I’m exploring all my options.”

Milán perused the table. “Are you always so cautious? It’s just dessert.”

He turned to her. “To the untrained eye, that’s exactly what it appears to be, but to a connoisseur of after-dinner delights, the choices are far more complicated than they appear.”

Milán’s expression turned serious. “I can see how much effort this is taking. I must say, you surprise me.”

“Why, because I volunteered to help with one of the church’s outreach programs?”

She stared past him. “I admit that your signing up did throw me, but no, that’s not it.”

Adrian halted his perusal of the sweets to give her his full attention. Milán was compelled to return his frank gaze.

“So what is it, Milán? What about me has you so...mystified?”

Deciding on his choice, Adrian selected a dense piece of pound cake from off the table. When she remained silent, he politely excused himself, not waiting to see if she would follow.

Not missing a beat, Milán felt into step beside him. Her long legs easily kept stride with his.

Thinking back on all Ms. Pearlie had told her, she turned toward him. “You’re a contradiction in terms,” she continued as if they’d never stopped talking. “One minute you’re insulting me in your office, and I have a clear picture of your character, and the next—”

“Then allow me to apologize—again.” He stopped in front of her. “As I said, my behavior that afternoon was reprehensible. I can only attribute my rudeness to my paranoia over what my mother is apt to do next.” Adrian sighed heavily. “I can never tell, and sometimes that puts me...on edge. I realize there’s no excuse for how I treated you, but I hope you understand the reason for it.”

The two stared at each other for several moments. It was Milán who spoke up first. “Now, you are forgiven.”

Adrian squeezed her arm. “I’ll have you know that was the most sincere apology I’ve ever given.”

“I’ll have you know that it loses some of its sincerity if you have to point that out.”

His grin was dazzling. “Fair enough.”

As if on cue, both of them burst into laughter. It took some time, but the humor subsided enough for them to resume their walk.

Milán was called off again to volunteer. This time, she made Adrian go with her. She was tasked with manning the pie booth. When Adrian discovered they’d be hitting her with pie plates filled with whipped cream, Adrian spoke up. “Now this will be fun.”

A good sport, Milán agreed and was led off to the booth with Adrian right on her heels. She was given a plastic smock to protect her dress, and a cap to keep from messing up her hair. She gave the woman a thumbs-up and went to take her seat. Adrian helped her onto her perch and then went around to the front to stand with the rest of the crowd. When he saw her, he reached into his pocket and retrieved his phone. He took a camera picture of her.

“This isn’t my best side,” Milán yelled when she saw him snap a picture.

The patrons that purchased tickets lined up to have a turn at filling an aluminum pie plate with whipped cream, and then trying to hit Milán in the face with their creation.

Everyone laughed as person after person tried, and failed to hit her. Several people got close, so Milán was coated in several places with the nondairy dessert. “Come on,” she taunted. “Nobody out there has a good enough aim to take me out?”

“I’ll do it,” a teenage boy said stepping up to the line. His pie plate was poised and ready. After a few moments of calculating, he drew his arm all the way back and then propelled it forward. The pie plate sailed through the air. His aim was true and in seconds, Milán’s face was engulfed in cream.

The crowd cheered, laughing and praising the boy for his shot and Milán for being a great sport. After a few more contestants failed to hit their mark, Milán was let down so the next volunteer could go up.

Adrian walked up to Milán. “You were great,” he praised.

“Thanks. I’m sure there are spaces left if you’d like to volunteer, too?”

Someone hosed the front of Milán with water to get the whipped cream off. When they finished, Adrian handed her a towel. “I think I’ll pass.” He laughed as he came around behind her to help untie her smock.

He eased it off and laid it on a nearby table.

“I’m surprised you didn’t make a pie and try your luck.”

“I considered it,” he admitted.

Milán wiped her face off. She was about to take off her cap, when Adrian’s hand stopped her. “You missed a few spots,” he said quickly.

Before he thought better of it, Adrian reached up and stroked the topping off her right cheek. Then his fingers traced her eyebrow and an area on her neck. He observed Milán’s shocked stare. “Are you okay?” When she remained speechless, he pulled on the towel bunched up in her hand. Slowly, it eased out of her grasp. Deftly, he wiped off more of the white cream from her ear and nose. “There,” he said trying to sound at ease. It took some considerable effort. “All done.”

The air around them became supercharged with electricity. Neither one moved away. Instead, each stood transfixed to their spots with the towel bunched between them.

Milán was the first to move. She cleared her throat and released her hold on the towel. “I, uh...thank you,” she finally got out. “You know...for helping me.”

Adrian’s eyes raked over her face a final time before he spoke. “You’re welcome. I think I’ll go see what my mother is up to.”

“Okay,” she replied. She watched him move away and didn’t stop until he had disappeared from view. Only then did she lower herself onto the bench behind her.

What was that just now?
she asked herself. She could feel her heart fluttering wildly in her chest. Her breathing only now coming back to normal. “It’s the adrenaline from getting hit in the face with pies,” she reasoned. “Nothing to be alarmed about. I just got caught up in the chemical rush. No more no less.” She closed her eyes and tried to calm herself. It was a mistake. Adrian’s office manifested itself in her mind’s eye. She and Adrian were next to come into view. She was back in his embrace, her head being anchored by his hand while his lips moved all over her face. They drifted lower, to her neck and then right above the top of her bra.
Wait a minute. When had her blouse been removed?
she asked herself.

When Adrian leaned back, she could see the desire in his eyes. The heat bored into her skin, searing her soul. It permeated everywhere until she was overflowing with the burning need to be consumed by him. To be loved by him.

“No,” she cried out. Instantly, the scene disintegrated and recessed back into the shadows. The darkness faded and she was blinded by the sunlight around her. Milán bolted up from the bench. Her legs almost buckled.

“Are you all right, miss?” an elderly man asked coming over to her.

Milán blinked several times and took a few deep breaths.

“Yes? Oh, sorry, I’m fine. I must’ve been daydreaming,” she assured him. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go clean myself up.” She didn’t wait to hear his reply. Milán practically ran into the church and to the ladies’ room. Absentmindedly, she reached up and pulled the plastic cap off her head as she went. Setting it on the counter, Milán flipped the cold water on in the sink. She pooled the liquid in her hands and splashed it on her face a few times.

Taking paper towels from the wall dispenser, she patted the moisture from her skin. Only then did she look into mirror at her reflection. She looked the same. Exactly the same, but something was most assuredly different. What was wrong with her?
No sé,
her conscience chimed in.
This was no attraction, this was madness.
She went from being attracted to a suave, crazy sexy man that lied for a living to a suave, crazy sexy man that was too sure of himself, had commitment issues and dated women as often as he changed his ties. “There is no way you want anyone like that,” Milán whispered to her reflection. “No way.”

Chapter 10

A
fter she’d gotten herself together and repaired her hair and makeup, Milán decided it was time to stop hiding in the bathroom. She’d go out and act like nothing was wrong.
What could be wrong?
she asked herself.
You just admitted you desire someone that might just rip your heart to shreds.

“It’s only a physical reaction,” she assured herself aloud. “No more, no less.”

Once Milán convinced herself she was fine, she returned to the carnival. She was conversing with a few patrons when Adrian sidled up next to her.

“There you are. I was beginning to think you’d left.”

Milán glanced up at him. She tried not to see him in a new light, but it was hard. That new light would burn her to cinders if she wasn’t careful.

“No, still here. I went to get cleaned up.”

He nodded approvingly. “This look is much better for you.”

“I agree.” Milán laughed.

“I’ve got an idea. How about we go grab something to eat?”

She nodded. “Sounds good.”

Milán walked with Adrian across the yard to the food tables. He picked up a plate with utensils wrapped in a napkin and handed it to her. After deciding what they would eat, they headed to an open table and sat down. While they ate, they made small talk.

Milán observed Adrian for a moment. “You know, I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”

Adrian wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Fire away.”

“What did you mean by ‘I’m not under her radar’?”

“I meant that if you’re not careful, my mother will try to fix you up, too.”

“Oh that. You’re too late,” she confessed. “She already has.”

Within seconds, both dissolved into a fit of laughter. This time Adrian laughed so hard tears rolled down his cheeks. “You can’t be serious?”

“I am,” she assured him.

Just then, Adrian’s cell phone alarm went off.

Milán’s eyes followed his movements. “What’s that for?”

“Hmm? Oh, it’s no big deal.” He hit a button on his screen and returned the device to his pocket. He gave her his undivided attention. “So let’s hear it.”

“There’s nothing to tell,” she hedged, trying her best to dissuade him.

Adrian just sat there and stared at her.

“Okay.” Milán placed a hand on her forehead. “It was a disaster. There, are you satisfied?”

“Uh-uh. That won’t cut it,” he countered. “I’ve had more than my fair share of people laughing at my expense over my mother’s setups. It’s someone else’s turn, so start talking—and I want details.”

* * *

For the next fifteen minutes, Adrian and Milán compared notes on how their prospective dates measured up. When she went into detail, he countered with some horror stories of his own.

Milán held her hand up to stop him. “Just wait, it gets better. When my last date realized I was half Mexican, he had arranged for us to go to dinner at an ‘authentic’ Mexican restaurant,” she informed him. “The food was horrible, and to make matters worse, the mariachi band only knew one song, and kept stopping at our table every fifteen minutes to play it for us.”

“Wow, that was terrible,” Adrian chuckled.

Milán shivered just remembering the dating disaster. “I told you.”

“Why didn’t you just tell her that you weren’t interested in being fixed up?” Adrian replied.

She played with the food on her plate. “At first I did, but then I wondered if I was being overly sensitive. My breakup with Eduardo really affected me. He was one of the longest relationships I’d ever had and when that didn’t last...I decided to swear off men for a while. I wondered if the signs where there and I was just ignoring them. Like maybe there was something wrong with me.”

“Nothing is wrong with you,” Adrian said firmly. “The guy was stupid. The most important thing in a relationship is honesty. I know that better now than I did a year ago. My ex was a piece of work. Apparently, I was almost the last person to find out just how much,” he said, wryly.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Milán offered.

His expression darkened. “What’s to tell? I found out my fiancée was cheating on me...with several of my so-called friends right up until we were to be married. I caught her, called the wedding off and kicked her out of my house. End of story.”

“That had to have been devastating for you,” she said softly.

Adrian shrugged it off. “I’m the wiser for it. Now I keep things simple. No serious relationships, nothing more than casual dating. It’s all I want at this stage. Besides, I’m too busy with work to worry about anything more. It drives my mother crazy because her Biological Grandma clock is ticking, but I’m not about to be rushed into another jacked-up relationship just to say I have a wife. Next time, it will be with the right woman and forever. No exceptions. Until then...”

“Nothing serious,” she finished for him.

“You got that right,” he said with conviction.

They talked a while longer, both genuinely having a good time swapping encounters. They were still huddled together comparing disaster dates when Norma Jean found them and announced she was ready to leave.

“Of course,” Adrian replied getting up from the table. “Do you need any help with anything?”

“No, sweetheart, I’ve got a goody bag already packed for your father. The ladies will return my dishes at our next meeting.” She turned to Milán. “I see you two are getting along nicely. I hate to break things up, but I’m a bit tired.”

“Mom, there’s no reason to explain,” Adrian assured her.

Milán echoed Adrian’s sentiment.

“Thanks so much for volunteering.” Norma Jean hugged her.

Milán returned the gesture. “Great seeing you too, Jeanie, and you’re welcome. I had a lot of fun.”

Norma Jean moved away to say goodbye to a few people while Adrian headed to the car with her things. Milán tagged along.

After he packed things up, Adrian turned and extended his hand. “I’m glad we got a chance to talk.”

“Me, too.” She shook his hand. “Our conversations were...enlightening.”

“That they were. Have a good evening, Milán. Maybe we’ll see each other around?”

She nodded. “Maybe we will.”

With one final wave, Milán left. Adrian’s phone rang. Reaching into his pocket, he glanced at the screen and then answered it.

“Hey, Justin.”

“I thought you were coming over to watch the game?”

“Sorry, I got sidetracked.” He leaned against his car door. “I went to a carnival at Mom’s church.”

There was a long pause on the phone before Justin replied, “On purpose?”

Adrian filled his buddy in on his evening.

“That doesn’t sound like progress on the professional front. That sounds like a date.”

“It wasn’t a date,” Adrian said quickly.

“If you say so. I think you should let the job thing go, and cut your losses. There’s no way she’s coming to work for you.”

“Come on, you know me better than that. I never throw in the towel.”

“Oh, really? I got one word for you—Stacey.”

Instantly, Adrian’s smile disappeared. “That’s different. She was a cross-dresser.”

“Seriously? I thought you said she was crazy?”

“Don’t get me wrong, she was a nut job, too—but she liked wearing men’s clothes. She was wearing a suit when I met her.”

“Good grief,” Justin complained. “Where does your mother get these chicks from?”

“Trust me, I wish I knew. You’d think some of them wouldn’t have issues.”

“Didn’t you say that very same thing about Milán not long ago? You called her crazy, too,” Justin reminded him.

Adrian laughed. “Yes, but crazy in a sexy, hot-blooded Latina kind of way. Not with a straitjacket and Thorazine drips.”

“See, I knew your interest was more than business related.”

Before Justin could say more, Adrian’s mother returned so he told Justin he would call him later and hung up.

Ushering her to the passenger side, he held the door while Norma Jean got in. When he slid behind the wheel, his mother eyed him with curiosity.

“You and Milán were very chummy.”

“Well, we had ample time to talk to each other,” he countered.

“Hmm.”

Adrian secured his seat belt, started the car and then backed up. “What’s the
hmm
about, Mom?”

“Nothing, sweetheart,” his mother turned her head and peered out the window. “Nothing at all.”

“Don’t start. We just had a few conversations—that’s all.”

“Why are you getting so defensive? I just asked.”

“Maybe because your ‘just asking’ tends to be the green light for you to start meddling,” he pointed out.

“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”

“Mother, don’t go looking for any patterns here. Milán and I simply discovered we had a few things in common.”

“You mean besides real estate?”

“Yes.”

“Amazing. So, when are you going to see her again?”

Adrian’s grip tightened on the steering wheel. “I have no idea. We aren’t dating, you know. If I run into her, great. If not, that’s fine, too.”

“But, I thought you were still interested in her working for you. Did you change your mind?”

“No, I haven’t changed my mind, but I’m not about to pressure her. Look, let’s play it by ear and we’ll see what happens, okay?”

“Of course, darling,” she replied sweetly. “I agree. You should see what happens.”

Adrian turned to his mother. “Mom,” he warned.

“Must you always be so suspicious? I simply meant it’d be great if you and Milán could grow to be friends and possibly coworkers, especially since you have so much in common.”

When he visibly relaxed, Norma Jean smiled and resumed staring out her window. “Looks like you may need my help after all,” she whispered.

“What did you say?” Adrian inquired.

“Oh, nothing, sweetheart,” she said quickly. “Nothing at all.”