“I can’t go with you.”
“You’re my personal assistant. You’d be along to take notes and give your opinion.”
“You’ve never asked for my opinion before.”
“In this case, I’ll want it.”
“Okay. Everything there is to know about Golden is in the file. It doesn’t look worth your time.”
“I still want to go, and I want you along. You might see something I miss.”
“You’re the artist! You’ll see whatever you want to see.” She looked shaken. “I’m not going on a trip with you.”
He’d never seen her so agitated. Maybe she wasn’t as indifferent as he thought. He wasn’t going to jeopardize their current relationship unless . . . unless what? “I can see you’re uncomfortable with the idea, but I don’t see a problem. People take business trips together all the time. Didn’t you travel with your previous boss?” He could only hope.
“Harvey was sixty-six years old and happily married.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, color flooded her cheeks.
“So you object because I’m thirty-four and single.”
“I can’t go, Roman. I have responsibilities.”
“Such as?”
“I have Samuel Friday night through Sunday evening.”
“Let Shanice take care of her own kid for a change.”
Grace’s mouth fell open. “I thought you knew. Samuel is my son, not Shanice’s.”
“Yours?” Roman tried to take in this startling revelation. Grace was a mother? “No. I didn’t know. You didn’t tell me.” Grace must have joint custody with her ex-husband if she only had her son on weekends.
She clenched a hand against her stomach. “Mrs. Sandoval knew. It’s never been a secret. Samuel is the reason I didn’t want to work so far away from Burbank.”
“I thought money changed your mind.”
“I have to make a decent living.”
“What about alimony?”
“I put my husband through college. He left a few months after he graduated. Thankfully, he didn’t ask for any.”
Roman thought she was joking, but she looked dead serious. What sort of guy had she married? At least the guy cared enough about his kid to want to have him during the week. Another thought came. Maybe Grace was dating Prince Charming in hopes of finding a better father figure for Samuel. She wouldn’t be the first woman to see marriage as the answer to all her problems. His mother always thought some guy would come along and take care of her, but all they did was pay for her services. She sold herself cheap to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. Some left bruises. One of them left her pregnant with him.
Grace stood silent. She looked so ashen, he wondered what sort of expression he’d been wearing. He forced a slight smile. How many other surprises might he find out about Grace Moore on a road trip?
“We’ll be back by Friday. Be ready to go early. I want to be on the road by seven.”
“Where will we be staying?”
“In a hotel. Where do you think?”
“I meant, what town? Golden doesn’t have a hotel.”
“Don’t worry, Grace. We’ll find a place to stay.” He held up his hands to halt the flow of objections he could see coming. “You’ll have a nice private room and bath, nowhere near mine.”
“Can we discuss this, please?”
He didn’t want to argue with her. “I have to get out of here.” He headed for the door. Maybe he’d go to the Getty. He hadn’t been there in a while. “Seven in the morning, Grace. If you’re not up and ready, I’ll come over and get you.”
Strictly business, Roman said. Why did she have the feeling this trip was about anything but business? Lord, am I overreacting? Harvey had taken her to conferences. Patrick had thought it a great opportunity for her. Looking back, she knew why he’d been so eager for her to spend time away.
What excuse could she offer Roman for not going? She wouldn’t have Samuel until the weekend. Just because she’d realized her attraction didn’t mean he had any ulterior motives. Though sometimes he looked at her in a way that made her wonder. Maybe she should talk with someone she trusted.
Shanice understood immediately. “The fact that you’re asking what I think tells me you’re nervous about going anywhere with him. Has he given cause for distrust?”
“He’s never made a pass, if that’s what you mean. He said he wants to see Golden.”