No way was she having this conversation again. “No, I’m sure, Luke. I’m sorry. I really think it’s best this way. I hope this doesn’t affect our business relationship. I’ll get the tickets to the seminar back to you tomorrow.”

She started toward the door, angry at herself that she’d forgot them. He’d asked her hold onto them for safekeeping. She planned to avoid any private conversations with him from here on. Giving him the tickets back would inevitably incite one. Maybe she could mail them to him.

“Keep your ticket, Val. I know how much you want to see him. It was a gift. I don’t want it back. You can have the suite too, if you want.”

Valerie turned around, his wounded tone adding to her guilt. “Thanks. I’ll get your ticket back to you, but I’ll pass on the suite. You probably still have time to cancel it.”

She packed up and headed out. From here on she’d be spending a lot of her time outside of the office, at least for a while.

*

More than week had passed since Valerie had broken things off with Luke. She managed to stay busy out of the office the whole time. After another busy day of showing properties, she was on her way home when Sarah called her.

“Hey, Sarah.”

“Valerie, please tell me you don’t have plans for this weekend.”

The only plans Valerie had were to sit and veg in front of the television, and as usual, work on the painting.

“Why?”

“Answer the question.”

Valerie was cautious. “Not anything solid.”

“Good. Since Romero and Eric didn’t get to do their stupid bachelor party,” Sarah giggled, “the guys came up with something else.”

Valerie couldn’t help sniggering herself. She remembered Sarah calling her, worried about the guys planning a bachelor party in Vegas. With Angel not really being a drinker, she wasn’t sure how he would handle himself, drunk, around strippers.

Valerie had come to the rescue. She had a plan that would have Angel canceling his own party. The thought of Alex around a bunch of money-hungry whores didn’t sit well with her either. Knowing Sofia couldn’t be too thrilled about Eric taking off to Vegas and partying with a bunch of strippers, she gave her a call. Valerie made sure to clue her in and asked her to lay it on thick about Sarah’s bachelorette party when she mentioned it around Angel.

Lay it on she did. The next day Sarah called Valerie, laughing so hard Valerie could barely understand her. She told her that Angel overheared her and Sofia talking about the party, and the hot “cop” that would be making an appearance to frisk the bride-to-be. Angel had immediately taken her aside to propose canceling both parties. Sarah and Valerie still got a good laugh about it. This should be interesting. “What did they come up with?”

“Since everything has been so formal up until now, they want just friends, no older folks, no distant family members. Just a younger crowd of singles getting together casually to enjoy one of our lasts weekends being single.”

Valerie had to smile. Sarah had been far from single ever since Angel staked his claim on her in high school. But she didn’t say anything.

“That actually sounds kind of nice.” Then it hit her. Alex would be there. “Wait.”

“No, no wait. I know what you’re going to say.”

“Sarah, you don’t understand, it’s so hard to be around him.”

“I know, sweetie, but he’s Angel’s brother. We can’t not invite him. And you’re my maid of honor, Val. It just wouldn’t be the same without you. We’re not even going to be in an enclosed space. It’s going to be a bonfire at the beach, for old times.”

Valerie sighed. “Okay, I guess.”

“Yay! Are you bringing Luke?”

“No.” She hesitated. “He’ll be out of town this weekend.”

As much as she trusted Sarah not to tell Alex she wasn’t seeing Luke anymore, she had a feeling Sarah told Angel everything. She still needed to arm herself with at least a fake boyfriend if she had to be around Alex. The restaurant incident proved just how weak her resistance to him still was. She still didn’t trust that she wouldn’t give in if he tried to talk her into even one night with him.

CHAPTER 11

When she got home, Isabel was in the kitchen cooking. It smelled delicious.

Valerie’s eyes grew wide and, she smiled excited. “Are you making albondigas?”

It was one of Isabel’s specialties and Valerie’s favorite Mexican meatball soup. She hadn’t made it in a while.

Isabel smiled at her. “I kind of made Romero mad. So, when it was all said and done and he was over it, he said I owed him albondigas because I’d bragged once that my albondigas were to die for.” She smiled at Valerie. “He’s coming over for dinner.”

“But you made enough for me too, right?” Valerie rushed over to peek into the soup Isabel was stirring.

Isabel laughed. “Of course. I told him it was your favorite. He said he’s seen you eat, and I better make enough for an army.”

“Ha ha.” Valerie leaned against the counter. “So, how’d you make him mad?”

Isabel made a face. “Well, you know how I was telling you I’ve been trying to slow things down, because I wasn’t sure exactly how serious he was?”

“Yeah?”

“A few nights ago, he asked me about my family. I told him a little about them, he was really impressed.” Isabel stopped to taste the soup.