Guilt smacked him in the back of the head just like his mom used to do when he was a kid. “I’m sorry, Mom. I’ve had some problems and I didn’t want to be a burden to you guys.”
“Nate.” His mom’s voice was firm. “How could you possibly be a burden? We haven’t even seen you since…since Lauren died.”
Nate glanced around at the other guests. “This isn’t really the place to be talking about all this.”
“You’re right.” She linked her arm through his. “Show me these pictures.”
So Nate led his family through the gallery, along withKrissa, talking about the photographs hanging on the walls and the stories behind some of them.
By ten o’clock almost every picture hanging had been sold. Nate’s mind reeled from the money he’d just made. Greg beamed and shook Nate’s hand vigorously as they prepared to leave. Only a few guests remained, including Nate’s family.
His mom still had the guilt trip thing down pretty good. “How long are you in L.A.?”
“We’re going back to Montecito tomorrow.”
Her face drooped. “Oh, no! Without even seeing us!”
Nate glanced at Krissa. “Krissa has business to get home to, and a husband.”
“Well, at least have breakfast with us. I need to know what’s going on with you…you’ve been so out of touch.” Her eyes reproached him, her head tilted, her mouth pouting. He couldn’t help but smile.
“I’m sorry, Mom, but we can’t.”
The disappointment on her face grabbed at his gut and twisted it.
“Nate.” Krissa spoke beside him, voice low. “You should have breakfast with your family.”
He glanced at her. “But you need to get back…”
“A few hours is no big deal. Go ahead.”
“But…you…”
“I can entertain myself for a few hours.”
“You’re welcome to join us, Krissa.” Mom’s gaze moved back and forth between them. Krissa met his gaze and he felt her encouragement.
Nate wanted to say no. “Okay, then.”
They made arrangements to meet the next morning in the restaurant of the hotel where he and Krissa were staying. When everyone had gone, Nate turned to Krissa. “I guess we should go.”
Her eyes met his. He knew they were both thinking the same thing, both thinking about what was going to happennext. His skin tightened and tingled and his groin ached. Sex with Krissa had been in the back of his mind all night, adding an edge to the excitement he’d been feeling.
“Yes.”
He let Krissa drive to the hotel, averting his eyes from glaring headlights. They let the valet take the vehicle and walked through the elegant lobby. The boutique hotel’s décor was retro-chic, with fifties-style furniture sitting atop shag carpet. Dark wood paneled the walls, and floor lamps with huge cylindrical shades provided ambient light.
“That was fun.” Krissa sighed as they walked into their room. She set the little envelope she called a purse on the dark wood dresser.
“It was unbelievable.”
“Are you glad you came?”
He nodded slowly. “I guess so. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it might be. Except…sorry about my family showing up.”
“Don’t apologize. It’s nice that they came. Didn’t you know they were coming?”
“I put them on the invitation list, but that was six months ago. I’d forgotten all about it.”
