“You don’t have to,” she whispered.
“It’s my pleasure, Marissa,” he said firmly.
She sighed and put the phone back to her ear.“Yes, he said he’ll put your names on the guest list....No.Just the two of you.Well, I don’t know, but I’m not going to ask?—”
“They may each bring a guest.”
She frowned at him.“Okay, he said you can each bring a guest,” she said grudgingly.“All right, I’ll see you there.Love you, too.”She hung up and slumped back in her seat.
“What’s with the attitude, Roo?”
Her eyes lifted at the endearment.“They’re just such mooches.It’s embarrassing.”
“They’re your family and I’m happy to have them.”
“Don’t you think they’re mooches?”
He hesitated, not wanting to wade into dangerous waters.“I know you want me to side with you where your family comes in, but I really think it’s best if I remain a neutral party.That way I can be a sounding board for you when you’re making decisions.”
She leaned across the center console to lay her head on his shoulder.“I like you,” she said with a sigh.
“I like you too, sweet girl,” he said.After a moment of silence, he asked, “So did my ex say she was going with me?”
“Yeah,” Marissa said.
He squeezed her hand.“Sorry for the misunderstanding.”
She shot him a naughty grin.“Does this mean I get spanked again?”
“Would you like that?”
A blush colored her cheeks and she chewed the inside of her cheek.“No,” she said at last, and he realized he’d been holding his breath.
“Too bad you’re not in charge,” he teased, touching her cheek before turning his eyes back to the road.“And just so you’re prepared, I get to pick your dress today.”
She sat back in her seat, beaming, her eyes on him.This couldn’t all be an act.She had real feelings for him, he knew she did.But did she know that?He wished he knew how to broach the subject.
Chapter9
Marissa straightened her dress and drew a long breath as the doorman held the door open for her.
“You look beautiful,” Joel said as he joined her, a light scolding in his tone.
“So do you—I mean,” she broke off with a giggle.
He squeezed her hand.“I won’t let any sharks eat you,” he said, the same words he’d spoken before their meeting with studio execs.And he’d delivered on his promise then.
“Who will you let eat me?”she teased, darting forward, out of his grasp and into the lobby of The Standard, where the opening night fete was being held.
He lunged, chasing, and caught her about the waist, lifting her off her feet.
She squealed and giggled, kicking, not caring if they drew attention.
The flash of bulbs confirmed they had.
He set her down, tickling under her arms.“Only I get to eat you,” he growled in a low voice in her ear.
She turned in his arms and beamed up at him.“Goodie,” she murmured.
